SHIGA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) –
In Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, a conventional thread-spinning craft used to supply strings for the koto and shamisen continues to be practiced utilizing silk drawn straight from cocoons.
At a workshop within the Oto district of Kinomoto in Nagahama, employees expertly draw out high quality silk threads from cocoons boiled in scorching water, winding the threads collectively onto picket frames.
The craft is claimed to have a historical past of about 1,200 years on this space. While some 70 households as soon as engaged within the follow, the unfold of artificial fibers has lowered the quantity to only one remaining workshop.
Instruments made with this hand-drawn silk, such because the koto and shamisen, are valued by musicians for his or her distinctive tones and proceed to draw devoted followers.
The thread-spinning will proceed by way of the top of July.
Source: YOMIURI