Silkworm Deity Worship: Unraveling Japan’s Sacred Silk Roots
When travelers visualize Japan, images of sleek Shinkansen trains, neon-lit Tokyo streets, and the elegant fold of a silk kimono often come to mind. Yet, few realize that the fabric of the kimono itself is deeply woven into the spiritual history of the nation. In rural Japan, particularly in the northern regions and the mountainous areas of Gunma, the humble silkworm was not merely an insect; it was a god.
Known as Kaiko-gami (Silkworm Deity) or associated with the folk deity Oshira-sama, the worship of silkworms is a fascinating blend of Shinto mythology, animism, and agrarian gratitude. This spiritual practice highlights how deeply the Japanese people respected the forces of nature that provided their livelihood.
The Origins of Sericulture Worship
Sericulture, or silk farming (yosan), arrived in Japan from China around the Yayoi period (300 BCE – 300 CE). By the time of the Nara period, silk was a valuable commodity used for paying taxes and dressing the aristocracy. However, raising silkworms is notoriously difficult. They are sensitive to temperature, noise, and smell. For farmers, a failed crop meant financial ruin.
To ensure the health of these fragile creatures, farmers began to deify them. In many households, the room where silkworms were raised was considered sacred space. The silkworms were often referred to with honorifics usually reserved for people or deities, such as O-kaiko-sama.
This worship wasn’t just about superstition; it was a daily practice of care and mindfulness, elevating the monotonous labor of feeding mulberry leaves to the worms into a spiritual duty.
Legends of the Silk Gods
The divinity of the silkworm is cemented in Japan’s oldest historical texts and folklore.
The Classical Myth
According to the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), one of the earliest accounts of the silkworm’s origin involves the goddess Ukemochi no Kami (the Goddess of Food). In the myth, the moon god Tsukuyomi visits Ukemochi. To create a feast, she produces food from her own body. Disgusted by this, Tsukuyomi slays her. However, from her corpse, essential crops and animals emerge to sustain humanity: horses from her head, rice from her stomach, and silkworms from her eyebrows.
This myth established the silkworm as a divine gift from the gods, directly linked to the sustenance and clothing of the Japanese people.
The Tragedy of Oshira-sama
In the Tohoku region, silkworm worship is closely tied to the legend of Oshira-sama. The folktale tells of a farmer’s daughter who fell in love with her family’s horse. Outraged, the father killed the horse and hung its hide from a mulberry tree. The grieving daughter clung to the hide, and miraculously, both she and the hide were swept up into heaven.
Later, the daughter appeared in her parents’ dreams, instructing them to feed the mulberry leaves to the insects on the tree. These insects were the first silkworms. Thus, Oshira-sama became the household deity of sericulture, represented by pair of dolls—one with a horse’s head and one with a woman’s face.
Modern Culture and Preservation
With the modernization of Japan and the decline of the domestic silk industry in the mid-20th century, the fervent worship of silkworm deities has faded from daily life. However, the cultural footprint remains strong.
In regions like Gunma Prefecture, which was once the heartland of Japanese silk production, stone monuments inscribed with “Silkworm Deity” can still be found along country roads. Local festivals occasionally feature kagura (sacred dances) dedicated to the gratitude for the silk harvest.
Furthermore, the recognition of the Tomioka Silk Mill as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has revitalized interest in the history of sericulture, reminding the younger generation of the spiritual heritage that once powered Japan’s economy.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Silk Road of Japan
If you are a traveler interested in folklore and history, here is how you can experience this unique aspect of Japanese culture:
- Visit the Tomioka Silk Mill (Gunma): While industrial in nature, this UNESCO site offers context on how vital silk was to Japan. Nearby shrines often have subtle nods to sericulture.
- Explore Heritage Shrines: Look for the Kogane Shrine in Gunma, known for its dedication to silkworms and prosperity. In Kyoto, the Konoshima Shrine (Silkworm Garden Shrine) possesses a rare three-legged torii gate and deep historical ties to the Hata clan, who brought advanced silk weaving to Japan.
- Tohoku Folklore Museums: To see Oshira-sama dolls and learn about the folk legends, visit museums in Iwate Prefecture, such as the Tono City Museum, home to the legends recorded in the Tono Monogatari.
- Souvenirs: Look for mayudama (cocoon-shaped decorations) or silk soaps, which are modern nods to this ancient industry.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to dive deeper into the mythology and history mentioned above, the following texts are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): For the mythological accounts of Wakamusubi and the origins of grains and silkworms.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Specifically the chapters detailing the death of Ukemochi no Kami.
- The Tono Monogatari (The Legends of Tono): Written by Yanagita Kunio, this text is the definitive collection of Japanese folklore, including the tales of Oshira-sama.