Mulberry Silkworm Rearing System

Timeline

1. 1–800Yellow River basin and Sichuan silkworm regions · ChinaFrom the Han dynasty onward key techniques such as silkworm pupation, mounting on rearing frames, and warm-water reeling took shape; Tang agricultural texts like the Sishi Zuanyao systematically recorded mulberry pruning, disease prevention, and cocoon-stage management, establishing a standardized farming calendar for sericulture.
2. 801–900Huzhou and Suzhou sericulture regions · JiangnanIn the late Tang, sericulture in Jiangnan was highly developed, with households running integrated mulberry grove–rearing room–loom operations, and government collection of silk taxes depending on weaving output. Silk from Yuezhou and Huzhou was renowned nationwide and shipped to East and West Asian markets via canals and the maritime Silk Road.
3. 820–900Weaving and dyeing workshops in Chang'an and Luoyang · Central PlainsIn the mid-to-late Tang the court maintained weaving and dyeing workshops in the capital, concentrating artisans to weave dragon robes and fine brocades from tribute cocoons and silks from the regions. Although the 9th-century regional warlordism affected tax collection, silk tribute remained a key material in center–local power struggles.
4. 850–900Japan's Kinai and Kyushu silkworm regions · JapanIn the 9th century Japanese envoys to the Tang and merchants brought Tang-style sericulture, reeling, and weaving techniques back to the islands; the court established sericulture agencies and promoted the production of nihonshi (Japanese silk), forming a China–Japan–Korea technical transmission network in East Asian sericulture.