Tamashima in Kurashiki City is known as the place where the Zen monk Ryokan practiced during the late Edo period.
Ryokan, who was loved by children.
Due to his personality, the people of Tamashima affectionately call him “Ryokan.” I wanted to know what kind of person “Ryokan” was, so I participated in the Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association training course.
Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association Training Course “Ryokan Culture of Tamashima”
A training course themed “Ryokan Culture of Tamashima” was held on September 4, 2025 (Thursday) at the Tamashima Community Center.
The event was organized by the Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association.
The Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association is an organization with about 200 individual members, as well as various cultural groups and companies, mainly centered in the Tamashima area of Kurashiki City.
Here is an introduction to the content of the training course.
The Passion of the Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association and Participants for Ryokan
The Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association training course was held at the Tamashima Community Center.
On that day, 49 participants interested in Ryokan attended.
There were more applications than expected, and the venue was changed to a larger space at short notice. This shows the high level of interest and enthusiasm for Ryokan.
The course began with a greeting from the chairman of the Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association, Kikuchi To, followed by kamishibai, video viewing, and lectures, making for a fulfilling 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The participants were eagerly learning about Ryokan, taking notes and asking questions.
Kamishibai that Conveys Ryokan's Gentle Personality
First, a kamishibai titled “Ryokan-sama” was presented by the research director, Gotoda Keiko.
This work was presented at the “National Ryokan Association Minami-Uonuma Conference” held in Niigata Prefecture in June 2025. It gently and warmly depicts Ryokan's life, interspersed with heartwarming episodes with children.
In a video titled “Ryokan and the Children,” the gentle figure of Ryokan playing with children and being close to them was explained.
Ryokan Culture Passed Down in Tamashima
Next, there was a lecture by advisor Moriishi Takeshi on “Ryokan Culture of Tamashima.”
Ryokan's Chinese poems, tanka, haiku, and calligraphy are widely known. Among them, about 35 Chinese poems are related to Tamashima. At the temple where Ryokan practiced, “Tamashima Entsu-ji Temple,” many stone monuments inscribed with works left by Ryokan have been established.
On a huge stone monument at the edge of the rest area, there is a Chinese poem inscribed that reads “Jirai Entsu-ji.” It is a poem that reflects the state and feelings of Ryokan during the time he was practicing.
At times, I can picture Ryokan, who was diligently practicing in Tamashima while nostalgically thinking of his hometown Niigata.
Efforts to Convey “Ryokan” to Children
The Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association has published a booklet titled “Ryokan.”
It was created to let many people know about the compassionate Ryokan.
B5 size, 27 pages booklet introduces Ryokan in an easy-to-understand manner as follows:
- Color photos and illustrations throughout the pages
- Easy-to-read text with furigana
- Episodes that convey Ryokan's personality, as well as Chinese poems and tanka
The booklet is distributed as teaching materials for outreach courses at elementary and junior high schools and community centers in Kurashiki City, and is being used to convey the Ryokan culture of Tamashima.
Conclusion
Ryokan was a monk who never owned a temple throughout his life and treated people with a heart of compassion. It is said that he continued to be close to poor children by playing with them.
Just as Ryokan practiced “Wagen Aigo” (gentle words), I felt that using “Aigo” to gently encourage others and creating a compassionate society is what “Ryokan Culture” is all about.
The Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association holds “Ryokan Training Courses” several times a year.
The next course will be held on October 9, 2025 (Thursday) at 10:00 AM at the Tamashima Community Center, titled “Tenjo Daifuu: Stories of Wind Related to Ryokan.”
If you are interested in Ryokan, why not participate?
Data on the Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association Training Course
| Name | Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association Training Course |
|---|---|
| Date | September 4, 2025 (Thursday) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Location | 1-10-1 Agasaki, Tamashima, Kurashiki City - Tamashima Community Center |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Website | Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association |
Okayama Prefecture Ryokan Association Office
Moriwake Tetsuro
090-4375-3141