【Passing on the History of Ayabe, the Silk City, to the Next Generation】Gunze Museum to Host "Okai-ko-san Festival" from May 16 (Sat)
Gunze Museum will host the "Okai-ko-san Festival" from May 16. In collaboration with local organizations, the event aims to pass on the history and wisdom of Ayabe, the silk city, to the next generation through sericulture experience workshops and special exhibitions.
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The Gunze Museum, located in Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, the birthplace of Gunze Corporation, will host the "Okai-ko-san Festival" from May 16, with the theme of "Wisdom and Life in the Silk City." This event is co-organized with General Incorporated Association Santo Grants, a local organization for individuals with mental and developmental disabilities.
This festival offers a valuable program where visitors can experience sericulture culture, which is rarely seen today, such as the skilled techniques of "thread spinning" and "floss silk reeling," starting from the actual picking of mulberry leaves. The event aims to promote the history of the region's proud sericulture and silk reeling industry, along with the wisdom of living that is still alive today, through workshops and special exhibitions.
■ About the Okai-ko-san Festival
Period
May 16 (Saturday) - May 24 (Sunday) 10:00-16:00
Location
Gunze Museum Shuzo, Miraizo (1 Zesho, Aono-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)
https://www.gunze.co.jp/gunzehakubutu/
Admission Fee
Free entry to the museum, workshops require a participation fee.
Contents
(1) Sericulture Experience Workshops (Limited to Saturdays and Sundays)
Dates: May 16 (Sat), 17 (Sun), 23 (Sat), 24 (Sun)
・Mulberry picking & silkworm feeding experience
Location: Gunze Kuwaen
Participation: Free
・Workshops
Location: Gunze Museum Shuzo
◇Thread pulling experience: Participation fee 500 yen
◇Cocoon craft: Participation fee 500 yen
◇Thread pulling & mini weaving experience: Participation fee 1,000 yen
◇Thread pulling & cocoon amulet strap creation: Participation fee 1,000 yen
◇Thread spinning and floss silk reeling experience: Participation fee 500 yen
*Event hours: Morning session 10:00-12:00, Afternoon session 13:30-15:00
*No advance reservations are possible.
*Required time for each activity is approximately 5-120 minutes.
*Children aged 6 and under require adult supervision.
(2) Special Exhibition
・Let's use tools for raising silkworms.
・Historical panel exhibition: Sericulture schools (Ayabe High School, Oe High School), Ayabe-Fukuchiyama silk industry and faith.
Organizers
General Incorporated Association Santo Grants, Gunze Museum
Supported by
Ayabe City, Ayabe City Board of Education, Ayabe Shimin Shimbunsha, FM Ikaru
Endorsed by
NHK Morning Drama Series Attraction Promotion Council
In cooperation with
Sericulture Heritage Research Group, Ayabe High School Yuragawa Campus
Images: Scene of feeding mulberry leaves to silkworms (photographed in 2025), Scene of sericulture experience workshop (photographed in 2025)
This festival offers a valuable program where visitors can experience sericulture culture, which is rarely seen today, such as the skilled techniques of "thread spinning" and "floss silk reeling," starting from the actual picking of mulberry leaves. The event aims to promote the history of the region's proud sericulture and silk reeling industry, along with the wisdom of living that is still alive today, through workshops and special exhibitions.
■ About the Okai-ko-san Festival
Period
May 16 (Saturday) - May 24 (Sunday) 10:00-16:00
Location
Gunze Museum Shuzo, Miraizo (1 Zesho, Aono-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)
https://www.gunze.co.jp/gunzehakubutu/
Admission Fee
Free entry to the museum, workshops require a participation fee.
Contents
(1) Sericulture Experience Workshops (Limited to Saturdays and Sundays)
Dates: May 16 (Sat), 17 (Sun), 23 (Sat), 24 (Sun)
・Mulberry picking & silkworm feeding experience
Location: Gunze Kuwaen
Participation: Free
・Workshops
Location: Gunze Museum Shuzo
◇Thread pulling experience: Participation fee 500 yen
◇Cocoon craft: Participation fee 500 yen
◇Thread pulling & mini weaving experience: Participation fee 1,000 yen
◇Thread pulling & cocoon amulet strap creation: Participation fee 1,000 yen
◇Thread spinning and floss silk reeling experience: Participation fee 500 yen
*Event hours: Morning session 10:00-12:00, Afternoon session 13:30-15:00
*No advance reservations are possible.
*Required time for each activity is approximately 5-120 minutes.
*Children aged 6 and under require adult supervision.
(2) Special Exhibition
・Let's use tools for raising silkworms.
・Historical panel exhibition: Sericulture schools (Ayabe High School, Oe High School), Ayabe-Fukuchiyama silk industry and faith.
Organizers
General Incorporated Association Santo Grants, Gunze Museum
Supported by
Ayabe City, Ayabe City Board of Education, Ayabe Shimin Shimbunsha, FM Ikaru
Endorsed by
NHK Morning Drama Series Attraction Promotion Council
In cooperation with
Sericulture Heritage Research Group, Ayabe High School Yuragawa Campus
Images: Scene of feeding mulberry leaves to silkworms (photographed in 2025), Scene of sericulture experience workshop (photographed in 2025)