Interview with the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society
We spoke with Oda Akihiro, the secretary-general of the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society, and Ando Toshiharu.
Could you tell us how the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society was formed?
Oda (honorific omitted)
The Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society is an organization founded by a group of volunteers in 1977 (Showa 51).
Suinkyo used to appear at Kurashiki festivals until the 1960s, but as the festivals themselves became somewhat less lively in the 1970s, fewer people were carrying on the Suinkyo tradition. The Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society was established in response, but with few people willing to take on the role of Suinkyo, it remained inactive for some time.
Then, in the Heisei era, a TV station asked the Kurashiki City Tourism Association to arrange an interview with Suinkyo. Junpei Fujii, who worked for the tourism association at the time and later became secretary-general of the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society, went around town desperately gathering Suinkyo costumes, masks, and other items. Apparently, they managed to accommodate the request somehow.
However, faced with the reality that even after asking at shrines and around the neighborhood, it was difficult to find anyone who knew about Suinkyo, Junpei Fujii and his junior high school classmates grew concerned, saying, “We can’t let things go on like this.” They took over the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society, which had suspended its activities, and revived it in 1991 (Heisei 3).
How did the two of you come to join the society?
Oda
When I was a child, I was repeatedly whacked by Suinkyo, so it was something I had been interested in for a long time.
But as times changed, Suinkyo appeared less often, and as I grew up, I also had fewer chances to go to festivals. Before I knew it, I could no longer see Suinkyo.
Then, in my thirties, I went to a festival with my child for the first time in a while and saw Suinkyo gathered in a back street of Ebisu-dori Shopping Street. I was surprised, thinking, “Wow, Suinkyo is here again after all this time!” As I chatted with them about old times, they said, “If you’re interested, you can give it a try,” and invited me to get involved.
Ando (honorific omitted)
In my case, the Suinkyo who happened to come up and whack me on the street was a classmate. He was already a member of the Suinkyo Preservation Society and told me, “Anyone can be Suinkyo,” so I thought I might as well give it a try.
At the time, I was starting to feel that I wanted to get involved in some kind of community activity, so the timing was just right. When I actually tried being Suinkyo, it was more fun than I had imagined, and I’ve been doing it for nearly 20 years now.
What do you find rewarding about being Suinkyo?
Ando
When I become Suinkyo and give people a whack, they’re delighted, and that’s what I find most enjoyable.
Many people thank us after being whacked, and some even ask, “Hit me more!” Locals, tourists, and visitors from overseas all enjoy it in the same way.
I think we’re able to give people visiting Kurashiki a chance to have fun.
Oda
I think being thanked is the most rewarding part.
Older people in particular laugh and say, “This will make me young again,” or go out of their way to put their hands together in prayer. They believe Suinkyo brings good fortune.
When I see reactions like that, I think, “Ah, I’m glad I became Suinkyo.”
I’ve heard locals say that Suinkyo used to be scary, but they don’t seem that frightening now. Did they change to keep up with the times?
Oda
In the past, Suinkyo typically hit people hard and chased them around.
But if we had kept doing things that way, complaints and problems would have surged around the beginning of the 2000s. The old approach was no longer acceptable, so the current style developed: gently tapping people while watching their reactions.
We also thought that complaints about Suinkyo were caused by people not knowing what it was, so we began using our website and social media to help people learn about Suinkyo.
So you began working to raise awareness of Suinkyo.
Oda
That’s right. Starting in the 2000s, we focused on sharing information, posting on our website and social media, and hosting a radio program on FM Kurashiki. After that, we gradually began receiving more invitations to events and getting featured in the media.
We’ve also been invited to events overseas. We couldn’t go there ourselves, of course, but we lent out costumes and other items.
Ando
One of our major recent activities was being recognized as Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassadors at the “Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki,” held in 2025. Now that Suinkyo has become an official presence, I hope more people will learn about it.
How are Suinkyo masks made?
Oda
Suinkyo masks are made of washi paper. They are made by repeatedly pasting on layer after layer of washi, letting it dry, and adding more layers.
In the past, each town had its own masks, so there were many different expressions.
Incidentally, the masks we use today are based on one made by Mr. Shozu, a Kurashiki Hariko craftsman.
There are fewer mask makers now, so we tried making them ourselves. It took half a year to finally finish one. It really does take a lot of time and effort...
Basically, Suinkyo are only around during festivals. Are there ways to enjoy Suinkyo through souvenirs, too?
Oda
As for souvenirs, Kikkodo, famous for Murasuzume, sells “Suinkyo Monaka.” Also, Kurashiki Waheiji Shoten, across from Shinkei-en Garden, sells “Suinkyo pickles.” There is also a local sake called “Jiji Baba” (Grandpa and Grandma), sold at Dotemori along the Kurashiki River.
Aside from food, there are also LINE stickers featuring cute illustrations.
In the past, limited-edition kibidango sweets decorated with Suinkyo and acrylic keychains were also sold for a time.
Do you have any goals for the future?
Oda
I want to continue working to raise awareness of Suinkyo. Suinkyo is a culture unique to Kurashiki City, but I think awareness is still low in areas a little farther from the Bikan Historical Area, such as Tamashima and Kojima.
Whether it’s increasing the number of people who take on the role of Suinkyo, raising funds to continue our activities, or passing Suinkyo on to the next generation, I believe it all starts with giving people a chance to learn about it. Our enduring mission is to explain what Suinkyo is and help people learn about its existence.
Ando
Suinkyo has been appointed a Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassador, and we are currently considering initiatives to raise awareness in collaboration with Kurashiki City.
One idea we are considering is giving high school students the chance to experience being Suinkyo.
I hope that this experience in their youth will one day give them a reason to remember Suinkyo as adults. I hope Suinkyo will play an even greater role as a Kurashiki tradition.
Do you have a final message?
Oda
If you’re interested in Suinkyo, why not join us and give it a try? Anyone can become Suinkyo. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ando
The number of people taking on the role of Suinkyo has been declining, so we hope to connect with new people. If you’re interested, please get in touch through our website or Facebook.
From the Writer
I, the writer, once had the chance to experience being Suinkyo.
When I became Suinkyo and tapped people walking through town on the head, many people—both locals and tourists—thanked me. It was an experience that made me realize Suinkyo is loved and welcomed by people.
If you’re interested in community activities or traditional events, why not give being Suinkyo a try?
Also, if you see Suinkyo at a festival or around town, I recommend letting them tap you on the head. Something good might come your way.
Articles about Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society Information
| Name | Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society |
|---|---|
| Website | Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society |
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