is a grouping of sites that relate to the industrialization of Japan in the Meiji period, part of the industrial heritage of Japan. The Tomioka silk mill was constructed in 1872 in Gunma Prefecture, which became a leading centre for sericulture, the rearing of silkworms and production of raw silk. In 2007 the monuments were submitted jointly for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria ii, iv, and v. Ten component sites have been proposed (listed below). Four sites were retained in Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites in 2014:Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites (maps) at UNESCO website Tomioka Silk Mill Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm Takayama-sha Sericulture School Arafune Cold Storage
Site Comments Image Location established in 1872 by the Meiji government; closed in 1987; Wada Ei described conditions in the mill; Important Cultural Property with eight designated structures; Historic Site Tomioka the largest wild mulberry in Japan; Natural Monument Numata cold storage facility for preserving silkworm eggs during the summer Shimonita cold storage facility Nakanojō where a method of silkworm rearing was developed Fujioka 1792; silk farmer's house; Important Cultural Property Nakanojō Group of Traditional Buildings Nakanojō for storing raw silk Kanra designed by British architect C.A.W. Pownall; Important Cultural Property with seventeen designated structures Annaka light railway for the local silk industry Shimonita
See also
Economic history of Japan The Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in Kyushu and Yamaguchi World Heritage Sites in Japan Sericulture Gunma Insect World Wada Ei
References
External links UNESCO listing Gunma Prefecture site dedicated to the listing Proposal document Pamphlet