JOURNEY TO THE COCOON: THE ADVENTURE OF THE MULBERRY TREE AND THE SILKWORM THROUGH THE EYES OF WILLIAM COCHRAN

Muhsin Önal

Article Details

JOURNEY TO THE COCOON: THE ADVENTURE OF THE MULBERRY TREE AND THE SILKWORM THROUGH THE EYES OF WILLIAM COCHRAN

Authors:

Muhsin Önal

Publisher:

Dicle University

Main Topics:

Endüstri Sosyolojisi | Yakınçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Dicle Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Issue 35, pp.250-279

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312200

pISSN:

1308-6219

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Mulberry tree and silkworm have formed a rich part of the art of weaving throughout history. While the leaves of the mulberry tree serve as a source of nutrition for silkworms, the insects contribution to silk thread production lays the foundation for a journey of thousands of years. The destination point of the journey is formed by the image of the silk thread. While the effort expended on mulberry tree and silkworm cultivation, along with the energy spent to carry out this process properly, point to the spiritual, that is, traditional and cultural dimension of this image, the ostentatious and expensive clothes of palaces, mansions and kiosks give an idea about its material aspect. All this broad and rich perspective has resulted in the transfer of an ancient heritage, whose roots go back to ancient times, from generation to generation. Moreover, this inheritance has acquired a more remarkable and impressive aspect as the heirs have changed over the ages. When evaluated in the light of all this information, this study focused on a certain period of mulberry tree and silkworm breeding, which has a deep-rooted history, and more specifically, its adventure in the 19th century. This adventure was conveyed to the reader in line with the observations of investigative journalist, painter and engraving artist William Cochran.

 Mulberry tree and silkworm have formed a rich part of the art of weaving throughout history. While the leaves of the mulberry tree serve as a source of nutrition for silkworms, the insects contribution to silk thread production lays the foundation for a journey of thousands of years. The destination point of the journey is formed by the image of the silk thread. While the effort expended on mulberry tree and silkworm cultivation, along with the energy spent to carry out this process properly, point to the spiritual, that is, traditional and cultural dimension of this image, the ostentatious and expensive clothes of palaces, mansions and kiosks give an idea about its material aspect. All this broad and rich perspective has resulted in the transfer of an ancient heritage, whose roots go back to ancient times, from generation to generation. Moreover, this inheritance has acquired a more remarkable and impressive aspect as the heirs have changed over the ages. When evaluated in the light of all this information, this study focused on a certain period of mulberry tree and silkworm breeding, which has a deep-rooted history, and more specifically, its adventure in the 19th century. This adventure was conveyed to the reader in line with the observations of investigative journalist, painter and engraving artist William Cochran.

 Mulberry tree and silkworm have formed a rich part of the art of weaving throughout history. While the leaves of the mulberry tree serve as a source of nutrition for silkworms, the insects contribution to silk thread production lays the foundation for a journey of thousands of years. The destination point of the journey is formed by the image of the silk thread. While the effort expended on mulberry tree and silkworm cultivation, along with the energy spent to carry out this process properly, point to the spiritual, that is, traditional and cultural dimension of this image, the ostentatious and expensive clothes of palaces, mansions and kiosks give an idea about its material aspect. All this broad and rich perspective has resulted in the transfer of an ancient heritage, whose roots go back to ancient times, from generation to generation. Moreover, this inheritance has acquired a more remarkable and impressive aspect as the heirs have changed over the ages. When evaluated in the light of all this information, this study focused on a certain period of mulberry tree and silkworm breeding, which has a deep-rooted history, and more specifically, its adventure in the 19th century. This adventure was conveyed to the reader in line with the observations of investigative journalist, painter and engraving artist William Cochran.

 Dut ağacı ve ipek böceği, tarih boyunca dokuma sanatının zengin bir parçasını oluşturmuştur. Dut ağacının yaprakları, ipek böceklerinin beslenme kaynağı olarak işlev görürken, böceklerin ipek ipliği üretimine olan katkısı binlerce yıllık bir yolculuğun temelini atmaktadır. Yolculuğun varış noktasını ise ipek ipliğinin oluşturduğu imaj teşkil etmektedir. Dut ağacı ve ipek böceği yetiştiriciliğinde sarf edilen emek ile bu süreci hakkıyla yerine getirebilmek için harcanan enerji, bu imajın manevi yani geleneksel ve kültürel boyutuna işaret ederken, sarayların, konak ve köşklerin gösterişli ve pahalı kıyafetleri maddi yönü hakkında fikir vermektedir. Bütün bu geniş ve zengin perspektif, kökleri çok eski tarihlere dayanan kadim bir mirasın kuşaktan kuşağa aktarılması sonucunu doğurmuştur. Üstelik bu miras, çağlar içerisinde varisler değiştikçe, daha dikkat çekici ve etkileyici bir veçhe kazanmıştır. Bütün bu bilgiler ışığında değerlendirildiğinde, bu çalışmada da köklü bir geçmişe sahip olan dut ağacı ve ipek böceği yetiştiriciliğinin belli bir dönemine, daha açık bir ifadeyle 19. yüzyıldaki serüvenine yer verilmiştir. Bu serüven, araştırmacı gazeteci, ressam ve gravür sanatçısı William Cochranın gözlemleri doğrultusunda okuyucuya aktarılmıştır.

Article Details

JOURNEY TO THE COCOON: THE ADVENTURE OF THE MULBERRY TREE AND THE SILKWORM THROUGH THE EYES OF WILLIAM COCHRAN

Authors:

Muhsin Önal

Publisher:

Dicle University

Main Topics:

Endüstri Sosyolojisi | Yakınçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Dicle Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Issue 35, pp.250-279

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312200

pISSN:

1308-6219

mulberry tree

silkworm

William Cochran

19th century

agriculturedut ağacı

ipek böceği

William Cochran

19. yüzyıl

ziraat

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Muhsin Önal

Publisher: Dicle University

Main Topics: Endüstri Sosyolojisi | Yakınçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal: Dicle Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Issue 35, pp.250-279

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 2/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001312200

pISSN: 1308-6219

Issues

Authors:

Muhsin Önal

Publisher:

Dicle University

Main Topics:

Endüstri Sosyolojisi | Yakınçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Dicle Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Issue 35, pp.250-279

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312200

pISSN:

1308-6219