Traditionally in China and Japan, cocoons pierced by the moth as it emerged were not used for spun silk yarn but were degummed and opened up under water before stretching on a frame or mould to produce squared or cap shaped mawata (the Japanese work for silk wadding). This was used for padded winter clothing and a small strip of mawata can often be found in the hem of Japanese kimonos for added weight.

In Japan the degummed cocoons are often stretched into squares: fine layers in the centre thicker at the edges. They differ from the caps only in the shape although the quality of both the caps and squares varies and depends on the quality of the cocoons used. In Japan mawata is handspun into a yarn for the weaving of tsmugi cloth, a fine handspun cloth often kasuri dyed with indigo and woven into kimono lengths on a traditional loom. Fresh, raw, unpierced cocoons are sometimes used for making the mawata for this valuable cloth.

Use like caps or trap treasures between fine layers of square mawata 'paper'.

Subtle squares
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