dupion silk; double-cocoon silk
Specialist term for silk produced from a cocoon spun jointly by two or more silkworms, resulting in a slubbed, irregular texture. Used in textiles and sericulture.
See also: 玉繭
Dupion silk is characterized by its unique slubbed texture.
This kimono is woven from dupion silk.
Compound of 玉 (tama, 'ball, round object') and 糸 (ito, 'thread'), referring to the rounded double cocoon from which the silk is reeled.