The Chinese village of Jili was once known throughout the world as a producer of extremely high quality silk. Using traditional methods of sericulture, villagers produced silk for emperors and royalty everywhere. Now, industrialization means most silk is produced in factories. Environmental degradation means the water in Jili is no longer clean enough for sericulture. And higher wages in booming cities elsewhere means there are no longer any young people willing to learn the craft of silkmaking in Jili. Within a few years, the town will probably close its last silk mill, as the NY Times reports.
Jili Journal - Silk Craft Fades in Village That Clothed Emperors - NYTimes.com
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