Tomioka silk industry, origin of Japanese industry prospect of World Heritage registration.

The “Tomioka silk industry” of Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture has become the prospect of registration as World Heritage.

This is the 18th World Heritage of Japan, and the first government managed silk industry.
The Tomioka silk industry was established in the year 1872 as the first government managed silk industry in Japan.

The main equipment was located on the same district where the raw silk production was popular as part of the plan to increase the production and establish the business of the Meiji era government.

During the golden age a total of 370 tons of raw silk was produced in 1974 but the operation came to an end in 1987. It was designated as the national important cultural property in the year 2006.

 

The main building is excellently preserved almost at the condition during the first establishment. The construction is the fusion of Japanese and Western architectural technique with the piling up of the bricks in the framework of wood, in about 5.5 hectares of site area. 

 

 

 A formal registration in the World Heritage Committee is expected in June this year.

Appearance of big castle tower of national treasure Himeji Castle

The top roof of the big castle tower of the world Heritage and national treasure Himeji Castle (Located in Hyogo Prefecture, Himeji City) enclosure was removed for repair work, and it appeared after an interval of about three and half years. 

The white outer wall is also called as “Shirasagi-jo”, and I saw the new beautiful appearance. 

The construction work “Major repair of Heisei era” started from October 2009, and completed in November 2013. At present, the dismantling work of the enclosure is in progress.

The roof tiles were replaced, the darkened mortar were painted.

The cracked fish tail fin was also made newly.

The entire castle tower can be seen during August. 

The internal of the castle will be opened from March 27 next year.

This is my most favorite castle.