About Tajima Yahei Residence

Located in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, the former residence of Yahei Tajima is known as the home of Yahei Tajima, who made significant contributions to the development of modern sericulture in Japan. This former residence was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 as part of the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Silk Industrial Heritage Group” and its historical value is recognized.

Yahei Tajima was a pioneer of sericulture who was active from the end of the Edo period to the early Meiji period. His residence, the Former Residence of Yahei Tajima, is an important legacy of his achievements for future generations. The house is a traditional Japanese house built at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867), and inside you can see the lifestyle of the time and the actual work place of the sericulture industry.

One of the highlights of the old house is the display of materials and tools related to the development of the Tajima School, a unique sericultural technique. Yahei Tajima established a method called “Seiryoiku,” which greatly improved the efficiency of sericulture. This technique optimizes the growth environment of silkworms, with particular emphasis on ventilation and temperature/humidity control in the silkworm room. In the former residence, the ingenuity used to put this technique into practice can be seen everywhere, and visitors can learn about the advanced sericultural techniques of the time.

The former residence of Yahei Tajima is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Visitors can enjoy different scenery each season, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season in fall. This garden is a place where visitors can enjoy the historical value of the old residence and the beauty of nature at the same time.

Furthermore, the building of the old residence itself is also worth seeing. While incorporating the traditional architectural style of the Edo period, it was designed to suit the sericulture industry, and its structure and detailed design deeply impresses visitors. In particular, visitors can see the construction techniques devised by Yahei Tajima, such as the structure of the silkworm room and ventilation system, and realize the high level of Japanese technology of the time.

All in all, the Former Residence of Yahei Tajima is an important legacy in the development of Japan's modern sericulture industry and a special tourist attraction that combines its historical value with a beautiful natural environment. It offers visitors a deep learning and inspiring experience, and its special atmosphere is an unforgettable experience once you visit.