Fascinating Topics IV

History of Chinese Silk

     I am going to tell you about something that has a most pleasant texture: silk!

     There are many wonderful things about silk. It absorbs heat and radiation. Though it is feels delicate, it is a very strong material that is not elastic or stretchy. China makes about 78% of silk, worldwide. It has been around for a long time, the oldest silk found was from the 3000s B.C.

     Silk is smooth and shiny. Becuase it is not a synthetic material, it is healthy and good for the body (unlike polyester, which comes from petroleum, which is also what gasoline is from.) It also has 18 amino acids.


The Legend of the Silk

     The legend says that the queen of the Yellow Emporer Shangdi was drinking tea in the garden underneath of a mulberry tree, when a silk worm’s cocoon dropped into her cup. It started to unravel, and she saw how the strong silk fiber would make wonderful cloth. She was right. She instructed on raising them and invented a loom.

Silken Secrets

     For many years, silk was exported out of China via the Silk Road. The methods for making silk were kept secret and highly guarded. Taking silk worms cacoons, eggs, or mulberry seeds (from mulberry trees where silkworms like to live) was punishable by death. The Silk Road stretched from Chang’an into the West, even to Rome. There was also an extensive sea route. Silk became as valuable as gold, due to the difficulty of getting it. It was for the rich to wear, not commoners.

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The Mikado

      The Mikado is an opera by Gilbert and Sullivan set in Japan. Though it is in the Japanese setting there in the Far East, it is there to make statement about the outdatedness of English politics. It is satirical, witty, and oh so enjoyable.

     Japanese style was in vogue at the time that the opera was written. It is said that a Japanese sword fell off a wall and inspired Gilbert to write The Mikado. He also may have been inspired by a Japanese exhibition nearby or the number of immigrants in the area.

     It is a very fun opera. In the story, there is a law made against flirting, which then becomes punishable by death. No one is being executed because the executioner has been found guilty of flirting himself and must punish himself before he punishes others. He does not want to punish himself because it would be “extremely difficult if not dangerous.” It is a comedy, not a tragedy. The musical style of Gilbert and Sullivan is very syllabic. Good diction is key.

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The Fan

     When many people think of Japanese culture, they will no doubt think of these: fans.
Fans are important to the culture of Japan. They are used for cooling as well as dance and war.
Here are some different types of fans:

Folding Fans (Sensu)
     This type “fans” out (pun intended) and folds up. It is very portable. There are strips of wood held together by paper or cloth. The center with the pieces spreading from it is a picture of the different paths that life has for us.

Uchiwa Fans
     This is a more solid fan that does not fold. This makes it less portable. You will see some of these in the sleeves of kimonos. The flat surface is also great for posting advertisements.

War Fans
     These are very interesting. These fans are not only for keeping cool, they are weopans and signaling devices.

     The Gunbai fan works similarly to a shield. It can be made of metal or wood, and it can be used to ward off arrows.

     Gunsen fans are still meant for cooling purposes, but they contain wooden or metal spikes.

     The Tessen fan is an actual weopan made from a fan. Tessen fans are made of metal as well as spikes. They can be thrown at the enemy, as well as be used like a shield.

     It is fascinating to learn of all the uses for fans. It is not related to Asia, but if you are ever in the mood to learn something unique and interesting, look up the Victorian language of the fans. Different gestures have different meanings, and there is even an alphabet used.



     Here is a fun example of “The Art of the Fan.” (Take note of Mikado music in the background.)