Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers

Original: Sancai Tuhui (三才圖會). The "Three Powers" refers to the triad of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.

Implements, Volume Nine Sericulture and Weaving

Sericulture is the process of rearing silkworms and harvesting their silk. This section acts as a directory for the mechanical tools used in Ming Dynasty textile production.

Compiled by Wang Siyi (styled Yunmingfu) of Yunjian

Yunjian is a literary name for Songjiang, an area near modern-day Shanghai that was a major center for textile production during the Ming Dynasty.


Large spinning wheel	Reeling machine	Cloth loom	Mulberry net	Silkworm tray	Silkworm frame supports
Small spinning wheel	Silk-wadding spindle and hemp-brush	Rope machine	Spinning wheel and spindle	Warping machine	Silkworm rafters

This table serves as a table of contents or a visual index for the illustrations that follow in this volume. Each term refers to a specific piece of equipment: the "Mulberry net" was used to transfer silkworms, while "Warping machines" were used to organize longitudinal threads before weaving.