Do you know about "Japan Heritage"?
In Kurashiki City, the following three Japan Heritage stories have been certified.
- A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower - A town of textiles woven from Japanese and Western cultures
- A different space spun from the dreams of men who crossed rough waves - The Kitamaebune port and shipowner settlement
- The town where the "Momotaro Legend" was born - Okayama - A story of demon-slaying invited by the ancient Kibi heritage
In February 2023, I took the "Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification Exam."
I found this event while thinking, "I want to know more about Kurashiki's Japan Heritage!" and participated.
At this event, I could feel the passionate thoughts of those who have long supported the industry in Kojima.
Let me introduce it right away.
Discussing the future of Kojima's industry through Japan Heritage
The Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office hosts this event, which is the fifth in a series of relay symposiums that have been held since the 2020 fiscal year.
"The fusion of inheritance and conviction creates the future of Kojima" was the theme, and it took place on March 19, 2023, from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Kojima Community Exchange Center.
The content is as follows.
| Opening and Rakugo | Mr. Jonbo Tei Konan (Okayama dialect rakugo performer) |
|---|---|
| Keynote Speech | Speaker: Mr. Takada Naoshi (Takada Textile Co., Ltd. President) |
| Panel Discussion | [Coordinator] Mr. Masuda Junya (President of Nanba Architectural Workshop) [Panelists] Mr. Takada Naoshi (President of Takada Textile Co., Ltd.) Mr. Maehata Masumi (Seventh Generation of Sankan Shuzo Co., Ltd.) Ms. Katayama Keiko (Showa Co., Ltd.) |
Industry representatives from Kurashiki and Kojima take the stage one after another
First, as the opening act, Mr. Jonbo Tei Konan performed a lively Okayama dialect rakugo.
He arranged the famous rakugo "Tokisoba" in a Kojima style.
Laughter spread through the tense venue.
Once the venue warmed up, Mr. Takada from Takada Textile Co., Ltd. began his keynote speech.
"Unraveling the origins of the town of textiles" was the title, where he spoke about how the tatami edge industry spread in the Tōgō area and what the future should look like.
Finally, there was a panel discussion.
The following four companies, which have long supported Kojima's industry, took the stage.
- Nanba Architectural Workshop
- Takada Textile Co., Ltd.
- Sankan Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Showa Co., Ltd.
From the perspectives of clothing, food, and housing, they discussed the outlook for the industries their companies will support in the future.
Starting with a lively Okayama dialect rakugo
The first speaker of the relay symposium is Mr. Koonan from Jumbo-tei performing Okayama dialect rakugo.
In fact, he works as a public servant in the Kurashiki City Tourism Division on weekdays.
He shares the story of how he came to take on the role of the opening act for this event, interspersing jokes that elicit laughter from the audience.
Among the seats, there were various local specialties from Kojima scattered around.
“This soba is so hard... it’s just like Sanada-himo!”
The comparison of the hard soba noodles to Kojima's specialty "Sanada-himo" instantly lifted the atmosphere in the venue.
While I have heard the story of "tokisoba" many times, I felt that listening to it in Okayama dialect and Kojima style made it more relatable and entertaining.
Why did the textile industry in Kojima emerge, and how has it survived?
In Mr. Takada's keynote speech, he discussed the background of how the textile industry, particularly tatami edging, has taken root in Kojima, in conjunction with Japan Heritage.
Upon graduating from university, Mr. Takada felt a challenge in the low recognition of tatami edging.
He not only sells existing tatami edging but also participates in collaborations and exhibitions for stationery and handmade goods.
Now, tatami edging can even be found in 100 yen shops.
Just as the textile industry has survived by transforming as new things are created and fade away, the nature of tatami edging will also change with the times to survive.
“The goal is for one in ten people to know about tatami.”
Mr. Takada, who speaks this way, has a vision of expanding tatami edging not only in Japan but also overseas.
I have also seen products from Takada Textile being sold at stations and various places in Kurashiki.
I was also aware of the existence of the tatami edging factory shop “FLAT,” which Takada Textile operates, but I realized that it was a result of pursuing “how to make tatami edging known.”
Kojima through Clothing, Food, and Housing - How do we want to be in the future?
In the final panel discussion, panelists representing companies that have supported clothing, food, and housing from Kojima shared their thoughts on the future.
In particular, during the theme “What do you want to aim for in the future?” each speaker discussed the “beyond” from the industry they represent.
- To ensure that completely new things are delivered that connect to the next stage of creating things
- To create tools that connect people through sake brewing
- Believing in the power of textiles because they touch the skin, “I want to move the world with fabric”
Conclusion
What I felt by participating in this event is the reassuring sight of the younger generation who will carry Kojima into the future, continuing new challenges with a strong feeling of “we will create it ourselves.”
Until now, I felt that the historical background of Japan Heritage and the present were not connected, but I finally began to see the “connection between the historical background of Kojima and the present.”
“Being with the community”
The reason why Kojima's industry continues to leave its mark even as it transforms may be due to that strong feeling for Kojima.
Why not visit Kojima to experience the “current state of Kojima's industry”?
Articles about Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Data for the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Relay Symposium
| Name | Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Relay Symposium |
|---|---|
| Date | March 19, 2023 (Sunday) 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Location | 2-2-38 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 711-0913 |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Relay Symposium - The Role of Japan Heritage Connecting History, Culture, and Community Development / Japan Heritage Promotion Office / Kurashiki City |
