silkworm growing-bed; silkworm shelf
A rack or shelf used in sericulture for rearing silkworms. A specialized term likely encountered in historical or agricultural contexts.
At silkworm farms, they used to raise silkworms by placing mulberry leaves on silkworm shelves.
bunk; cramped bedroom
Slang or humorous extension comparing a cramped sleeping space, such as a bunk bed or tiny room, to a silkworm shelf. Informal and somewhat dated.
The dorm room was as cramped as a silkworm shelf.
Compound of 蚕 (かいこ, 'silkworm') and 棚 (たな, 'shelf'). The slang sense derives from the resemblance of cramped sleeping quarters to the stacked shelves used in sericulture.