Ep 17. Pickers of Empty Cocoons

In Mushishi season 1 episode 17, titled Pickers of Empty Cocoons, we follow the journey of Ginko, a mushishi or a person who studies and deals with Mushi, supernatural creatures that exist in the world but are not visible to normal humans. In this episode, Ginko finds himself in a mountainous region where he meets a young girl named Maho who is the granddaughter of an old couple working as cocoon pickers. The old couple, Hana and Jukai have a unique ability to sense the presence of Mushi and identify different types of cocoons that are filled with them.

Ginko realizes that the cocoons picked by the old couple are actually not suitable for silk production since they are empty and this has been plaguing them with financial problems. Ginko suspects that this situation is caused by a type of Mushi which is feeding on the nutrient-rich silk before the pupa can hatch. However, the cause of this problem is not a straightforward one to solve, and Ginko has to rely on his experience and knowledge to untangle the complex situation.

As Ginko investigates, he learns that the Mushi causing the empty cocoons is also providing Hana with prophetic dreams about the future, which are sometimes accurate and sometimes misleading. This Mushi is known as the Tokoyami, or the eternal darkness Mushi, which consumes all sources of light and nutrients, leaving behind only darkness. Ginko realizes that this situation has been happening for years, and that Hana and Jukai are suppressing the Mushi from overrunning the area.

Ginko, with his expertise in Mushi, understands that the Tokoyami Mushi cannot be fully eradicated as it has a vital role in the ecosystem and that controlling its effect is the only solution. He proposes a technique of separating the cocoons infected with the Tokoyami Mushi from those which are not infected, allowing Hana and Jukai to sell silk collected from the healthy cocoons while still serving the Mushi's ultimate purpose.

Despite Ginko's efforts, he realizes that the cocoon picking trade is slowly disappearing and that the next generation of cocoon pickers might not have the same knowledge and expertise as Hana and Jukai. This raises the question of the cost of progress and the value of traditional knowledge in preserving the environment.

In this episode, we see many recurring themes of the show, including the impact of human actions on the natural world, the role of tradition and knowledge in preserving nature and its inhabitants, and the idea of balance and coexistence between different forms of life. We also see how Ginko, with his vast knowledge of Mushi, can help in resolving seemingly insurmountable problems and bring balance to the natural world.

Overall, Mushishi season 1 episode 17, Pickers of Empty Cocoons, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between humans and nature and how tradition and knowledge can play a vital role in preserving it.