ON THE SILKS OF JAPAN. 189 



Captain Howard Vyse observes, in reference to the silk trade, that 

 " twenty-one provinces produce silk ; they are designated in the annexed 

 table, which shows at the same time their approximate production. 

 Eight or ten other provinces might be added, but their production is of 

 too little importance to be noted. 



"If we compare this table with the geographical map of the country, it 

 will be perceived that all the provinces between the east and north pro- 

 duce silk. 



"Aussion and Montsen alone represent 45,000 bales, about 22,500 

 piculs of annual production. In comparing the total production of Japan 

 (which is about 67,500 piculs) with the principal silk countries of Europe, 

 before the malady among the silk-worms broke out, we find, according to 

 documents in our possession, that the production of France was 2,000,000 

 kilogrammes, of Italy 4,000,000 kilogrammes, of Spain 300,000 that is to 

 say, that Japan produces as much as Italy and Spain put together, 

 (4,300,000 kilogrammes) and as much again as France. 



" The export for the season 1861 and 1862 will not exceed, it appears, 

 8,000 piculs, but there is a promise of a great extension when affairs in 

 Europe return to their normal state, when the Daimios no longer oppose 

 the best kind of silk being exported, and especially if in exchange for the 

 Port of Neeagata (which, situated in the centre of the silk provinces, the 

 province of Itchingo, was not opened to Europeans in 1860, as being 

 inaccessible to large ships) other ports be opened in the same district." 



I trust that the agreeable appreciation that this collection has met 

 with ever since its first exhibition in England, will encourage others to 

 redouble their efforts in obtaining information such as may lead to the 

 development of the resources of the wealthy, but as yet, little known 

 empire of Japan. It is admitted in Japan, that the country is capable of 

 producing an indefinite quantity of these superior qualities, but that the 

 cultivation restrained by law, and that the higher qualities are absorbed 

 by certain classes for their use alone. We are in prosecuting these in- 

 quiries, greatly indebted to Her Majesty's Consul at Kanagawa, in Japan, 

 Captain Howard Vyse, whose energetic and determined efforts in the 

 course of trade will be more fully appreciated when these present 

 obstacles that exist are at last swept away. 



Since the opening of the ports of Japan, a large quantity of silk has 

 been received from them. At first it realised from 15Z. to 30Z. The 

 quality has not been found equal to the exportations formed at its early 

 introduction, and like Chinese silk, its character has deteriorated ; it is 

 now inferior in quality, and much more mixed. The total imports have 

 *n the last three years been 17,295 bales, of about 103 lbs. nett, of which 

 14,709 bales were taken by manufacturers. In the Japanese collection 

 of Sir Rutherford Alcock, there are samples of manufactured silks and 

 crape scarfs of peculiar fabric, printing of silk and pieces of embroidered 

 tapestry. 



