What Is Mawata (Silk Floss) ?— Soft Silk Opened from Cocoons

Soft mawata silk floss — Soft, airy mawata

Mawata is silk that has been opened from silkworm cocoons into a soft, cotton-like form.
Many people are surprised to learn that mawata is not cotton at all, but silk born from cocoons.
Light, warm, and gently lustrous, it has long been used in Japan for bedding, kimono linings, and fine textiles.

At yamamayu, we see mawata not only as a material, but as something that continues into thread, cloth, and everyday life.
This page introduces mawata in a simple way—what it is, how it differs from cotton, and how it becomes part of textile making.

What Mawata Is
Mawata and Cotton
Different Threads from Cocoons
Mawata in Daily Life
Why Mawata Is Special
How Mawata Becomes Cloth
Ways to Enjoy Mawata
Circularity and Care
FAQ

What Mawata Is

Mawata is made by softening cocoons, removing the pupae, and opening the cocoon layers into thin sheets that are gently stacked.
It may look like cotton, but it is silk.
From this airy material, thread can be drawn by hand and connected into cloth.

Mawata and Cotton

Both are natural materials, but they come from very different origins.
Cotton comes from the seed fiber of the cotton plant, while mawata comes from silkworm cocoons.

Item	Mawata (Silk Floss)	Cotton
Origin	Silkworm cocoons	Cotton plant
Fiber type	Long filament silk	Short staple fiber
Feel	Light, warm, smooth, breathable	Strong, absorbent, familiar for daily use
Traditional uses	Bedding, kimono linings, fine textiles	T-shirts, denim, towels

Different Threads from Cocoons

A cocoon can lead to different kinds of silk thread, depending on how it is handled.

Reeled silk: long filament drawn from fine cocoons
Tama-yarn: thread from double or irregular cocoons, often with more texture
Spun silk: yarn made by re-spinning fibers from imperfect cocoons
Mawata → tsumugi yarn: thread drawn and spun by hand from silk floss, with soft warmth and character

Mawata in Daily Life

From the Meiji era through the middle of the Showa period, mawata was part of everyday life in Japan.
It was used in bedding, clothing, and gifts for newborn children, valued for being both light and warm.
The culture of using even imperfect cocoons fully is also part of what gives mawata its depth.

Why Mawata Is Special

Mawata is light, warm, softly lustrous, and gentle to the touch.
Its fine silk fibers hold a great deal of air, which is why it feels airy yet insulating.
It also absorbs and releases moisture well, helping it stay comfortable across the seasons.

How Mawata Becomes Cloth

The process begins by boiling cocoons.
Once softened, the pupae are removed, the cocoon layers are opened and dried, and the silk becomes mawata.
From there, it is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into cloth.

→ How to Boil Cocoons
→ Spinning Thread from Mawata
→ About Thread

Ways to Enjoy Mawata

Mawata can appear in many forms—not only in quilts and kimono, but also in wall pieces, small objects, wreaths, and workshops.
At yamamayu, it is welcomed as both a material for making and a quiet presence in daily life.

Mawata woven wall hanging — **Mawata Woven Wall Hanging**

Mawata wreath — **Making a Mawata Wreath**

Playing with weaving using mawata — **Weaving with Mawata**

Circularity and Care

At yamamayu, we try not to waste the life received from cocoons.
Pupae are returned to compost, used dye plants go back to the soil, and leftover threads are reused in “Mottainai Art.”
In this way, our respect for natural cycles becomes both sustainable and ethical.

→ Read Sustainability