A closer look
If you thought the 19th-century garment industry was completely boring, you haven't looked into Japan's Meiji Restoration. Built in 1872 to mass-produce high-grade silk, Tomioka didn't just churn out fabric; it accidentally forged an army of empowered women. Because operating the complex French machinery required severe intelligence, the mill educated young girls from across the country. These 'factory girls' ended up commanding high wages, organizing the country's first labor strikes, and completely reshaping Japanese society.
