The Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki is designated as an "Important Traditional Building Preservation District" (hereinafter referred to as "Preservation District").
One of the characteristics of the Bikan Historical Area is that the lives of the people continue to this day.
Kimi Ohga, who lives in this town and is actively involved in the preservation efforts, has been awarded the Mineyama Fumi Prize in 2024, which is given to those who have contributed to the preservation of historical environments.
We will delve into Ohga's past activities and her hopes for the future of the Bikan Historical Area.
Kimi Ohga and the Bikan Historical Area
Born and raised in Okayama City, Ohga moved to Kurashiki upon marriage.
In 1967, she worked tirelessly with her father-in-law, Masanori Ohga, the first director, to open the Japanese Folk Toy Museum.
The catalyst for her deep involvement in the world of folk toys was Kichinosuke Tonemura, the first director of the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft.
The folk toys, born from the lives of each region, created through children's play and parents' prayers, captured Ohga's heart and became truly cherished items.
Ohga states, "The opening of the Japanese Folk Toy Museum was a significant opportunity for me to engage in town development," and since then, she has been involved for many years in the preservation of the townscape in the Bikan Historical Area, including managing the "Kurashiki City Preservation District Protection and Development Association."
Management of the Japanese Folk Toy Museum
The Japanese Folk Toy Museum is a museum that utilizes a rice storehouse that has been used in the Bikan Historical Area for many years.
It was established based on advice from Kichinosuke Tonemura, the first director of the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, who suggested creating an exhibition hall for folk toys.
Folk toys were originally made by parents for their children or created during the agricultural off-season to be sold in front of shrines and temples. However, during the Taisho era, cultural figures began to take an interest and started collecting them.
By the 1960s, children had lost interest in folk toys. By exhibiting folk toys as a museum, many people found it "nostalgic" and enjoyed it.
The Bikan Historical Area becomes a Traditional Building Preservation District
Subsequently, in 1978, the Bikan Historical Area was designated as a Preservation District.
A Preservation District is an area selected by the Agency for Cultural Affairs with the aim of preserving environments where historical townscapes remain intact, such as castle towns, post towns, and temple towns. In Kurashiki, the townscape of earthen storehouses, merchant houses, and townhouses remains, reflecting its prosperity as a hub for goods during the Edo period, making it a target for preservation.
Soichiro Ohara, who had a great interest in the townscape of Kurashiki, invited Tonemura to Kurashiki immediately after the war, and the townscape preserved by the local people has been highly regarded.
This achievement was made possible because Ohga and the citizens resonated with the passionate thoughts of the two and continued to build the town together.
Managing the Kurashiki City Preservation District Protection and Development Association
In 2006, to address the challenges faced by the entire region, Ohga became involved in the management of the Kurashiki City Preservation District Protection and Development Association (hereinafter referred to as "Protection and Development Association") and served as its president from 2010.
The Protection and Development Association is composed of eight neighborhood associations located along the lakeside of the Kurashiki River, south of Tsurugatayama, which has been designated as a Preservation District. Its purpose is to protect and inherit the historical townscape passed down from previous generations.
All approximately 270 households residing within the Preservation District, as well as all businesses conducting commercial activities within the district, are members of the Kurashiki Preservation District Protection and Development Association. It was established in 2006 as an organization to gather the opinions of residents and businesses regarding the nature of the Preservation District.
The Protection and Development Association does not merely preserve the townscape.
To continue to utilize the town, members exchange opinions and sometimes consult with the government to aim for better town development.
It has been over 60 years since the preservation of the townscape of the Bikan Historical Area, which has both residential and tourist aspects.
Kimi Ohga and the Mineyama Fumi Prize
For her contributions to the preservation of traditional townscapes over many years through her work at the Japanese Folk Toy Museum and the Protection and Development Association, Ohga was awarded the Mineyama Fumi Prize in October 2024.
The Mineyama Fumi Prize was established in 2016 by the National Association for the Preservation of Townscapes to honor the achievements of Fumi Mineyama (1914–2010), a housewife who led preservation activities in the historical environment around Otaru Canal in Hokkaido.
The prize has been awarded to 11 citizens, including Kimi Ohga, who have contributed to landscape preservation and town development.
Interview with Kimi Ohga, recipient of the Mineyama Fumi Prize
We interviewed Ohga about her feelings upon receiving the Mineyama Fumi Prize and her hopes for the future of the Bikan Historical Area.
The opportunity to engage in townscape preservation was the opening of the Japanese Folk Toy Museum
Please tell us your feelings upon receiving the Mineyama Fumi Prize.
Ohga
When I received the news of the award, it was a time when I had just stepped down as president of the Protection and Development Association, and I felt relieved. Therefore, at first, I was very surprised and thought, "Why me?"
However, as time passed, I came to understand that this award includes the thoughts of the predecessors who loved and protected the Bikan Historical Area, and I realized that I had received a truly wonderful award that I do not deserve. I am truly grateful.
After receiving the award, I was very happy to receive congratulatory words from those who are also involved in the townscape through the "Bichu Townscape Network."
At the time I received the news, I was filled with surprise, but now, after a few months, I feel that since I have received this award, I want to be of help to this town for as long as my health allows.
Please tell us how you became involved in the preservation of the townscape in the Bikan Historical Area.
Ohga
Before we opened the Japanese Folk Toy Museum, there were already the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft and the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum utilizing rice storehouses in the Bikan Historical Area.
Since there were several rice storehouses passed down in the Ohga family, I consulted with Mr. Tonemura, the first director of the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, and he suggested the opening of an exhibition hall for folk toys.
The opening of the Japanese Folk Toy Museum was a significant opportunity for me to engage in town development.
This is because toys have been utilized in daily life.
Children playing with dolls made by their fathers from leftover materials while waiting for their mothers to finish housework...
Through this warmth of living culture, toys were born.
The Protection and Development Association aims not only to preserve the townscape of Kurashiki but also to utilize it. This idea of "utilization" naturally arose from my experiences at the Japanese Folk Toy Museum.
Working hand in hand with the government to create a town where landscape and safety coexist
What kind of association is the "Kurashiki City Preservation District Protection and Development Association"?
Ohga
It is a gathering of people who resonate with the desire to "create a townscape through the preservation and utilization of the culture of the Bikan Historical Area."
It is mainly composed of local residents and businesses in the Preservation District, based on neighborhood associations.
In the 1960s, when I moved from Okayama City to Kurashiki City due to marriage, there were many residents living in this area.
However, the number of residents has decreased year by year, and now there are more people engaged in business targeting tourists.
While inheriting the culture we want to continue preserving as a Preservation District, I have operated with the hope that it will become a place where those doing business can perceive their lives in the Bikan Historical Area as their own matter.
The discussions and learning among people who seriously consider the town are very interesting, and I personally enjoyed participating in the meetings every time.
Please share an impressive episode from your time at the "Kurashiki City Preservation District Protection and Development Association."
Ohga
In 2008, a new boat landing was created on the Kurashiki River.
From a safety perspective, the previous "ganuki" (the stairs of the boat landing) was deemed dangerous.
However, the new ganuki was not suitable for the Preservation District, so we discussed with Kurashiki City and decided to restore the ganuki to its original state using the stones that had been preserved.
Through this process, we did not just make requests to the government; we discussed with them what efforts were necessary to preserve the town's landscape and resolved the issue together.
It was gratifying to be able to think about this town together with the government.
Additionally, we are also working on the "Hospitality Meister" initiative in collaboration with the government.
The Bikan Historical Area has many historical buildings such as storehouses and townhouses, making renovations difficult from the perspective of cultural property protection.
Therefore, the "Hospitality Meister System" was initiated to provide support for areas where hard barriers cannot be resolved, aiming to cultivate personnel who can offer gentle hospitality to the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with small children.
This system is currently implemented by the Kurashiki City Transportation Policy Division.
While we certainly want to preserve the traditional landscape, we must not neglect safety.
Many members of the Protection and Development Association have also received certification as Hospitality Meisters, aiming for a town where landscape and safety coexist.
I want to pass on the beauty of the Bikan Historical Area to the next generation
Are there any cultures you want to continue preserving in Kurashiki in the future?
Ohga
The Protection and Development Association proposes "Kurashiki Shigusa."
The Bikan Historical Area, where we live, sees many tourists as well as local residents passing through.
First, I believe that if we, the residents and those doing business here, act with a sense of compassion, tourists will also engage in compassionate behavior.
Please send a message to the readers
Oga
Holding in my heart the words from the award, "It is necessary not only to protect but also to utilize the traditions we have cultivated and to nurture a new town," I would like to engage in activities while showing respect to the predecessors who advocated for the preservation of the townscape of the Bikan Historical Area, such as Mr. Oura Soichiro.
I am truly grateful to receive such a wonderful award.
Conclusion
I am also a newcomer who moved to Kurashiki as a regional revitalization cooperation team member from the Kanto region in December 2023.
Before moving, I had a strong impression of traditional townscapes and thought it was a region with many long-time residents.
However, after actually starting to live in Kurashiki, I have encountered many newcomers who are eager to revitalize the community.
Traditional townscapes and newcomers.
At first glance, they may seem to be opposites, but I felt that it is precisely because there are people like Mr. Oga who value the accumulation of history that better town development is progressing together with newcomers.
This award serves as a trigger to reflect on the thoughts of those who have protected and nurtured this town and to consider the future of the Bikan Historical Area.
Mr. Oga, congratulations on your award!
