Eiichi Shibusawa and Silkworms

Starting yesterday , three new denominations of bills have been reprinted: 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen!
Maybe some of you already have one?

Eiichi Shibusawa Umeko Tsuda Shibasaburo Kitasato

Among the people who have become the "faces" of the new banknotes, I feel particularly close to Eiichi Shibusawa! Saitama Prefecture is excited about this!

I was watching the NHK historical drama "Seiten wo Tsuke" (2020-2021) a while ago (Ryo Yoshizawa is so cool ♡) and learned that his family is a wealthy farmer's family that makes indigo balls and raises silkworms . I remember the scene where his mother (Emi Wakui) is busily raising the silkworms.

At the time I didn't pay it much attention, but as I worked with silk, I gradually remembered and realized that Shibusawa Eiichi had a deep connection with silk, having worked to improve and standardize the quality of silkworm eggs in the market, been involved in the establishment of the Imperial Court's sericulture and the Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage Site, etc.

When I look at the pictures, I feel like calling him "Grandpa" for some reason. (laughs)

"The value of silk"
"Improvement of the silk industry"

Today was a nostalgic day for me, as I wondered what it would have been like to meet Eiichi Shibusawa and do silk business with him during the Meiji era!

Silk keeps you comfortable 24/7.
❤SILK LOVE❤
MARY