The "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki" is scheduled to be held on October 25 and 26, 2025.
In preparation for the event, a lecture was conducted for the students of Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School to foster enthusiasm, promote understanding of the region, and pass on culture to the next generation.
The lecture, titled "Japan Heritage x Suinkyo," was packed with content including discussions on Japan Heritage and Suinkyo, as well as experiences as Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassadors and Suinkyo.
About the "Japan Heritage x Suinkyo" Lecture
The "Japan Heritage x Suinkyo" lecture was conducted on May 22, 2025 (Thursday) at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School (hereinafter referred to as "Kurasho") for students participating in the "Kurasho Tsumugu Project."
Kurasho Tsumugu Project
This is a volunteer project that involves learning about Kurashiki's textile industry and textile products, and promoting various textile products made in Kurashiki both inside and outside the school.
The content of the lecture is as follows.
- Lecture "What is Japan Heritage?" by staff from Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office
- Lecture "What is Suinkyo?" by Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society
- Experience as Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassadors and Suinkyo
On the day, about 20 students gathered to learn about Japan Heritage, and the session concluded with a fun experience of Suinkyo.
Lecture "What is Japan Heritage?" by staff from Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office
First, the lecture on Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City was given by Fujihara Noriyoshi from the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office.
The Japan Heritage stories recognized in Kurashiki City are as follows:
- A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower - A town of textiles woven with harmony of Japanese and Western styles
- A different world entwined with the dreams of men who overcame the stormy seas - A port of call for Kitamae ships and a merchant village
- Okayama, Birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro - A story of demon-slaying inspired by the ancient heritage of Kibi
For the three stories, an animation was shown first to learn the overview.
After that, the lecture focused on "A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower."
"A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower" begins with the reclamation of land that was once sea, where the cultivation of salt-resistant cotton became established.
Subsequently, the trading of cotton flourished, leading to the development of the port of call for Kitamae ships (Tamashima and Shimotsui).
Merchants who prospered from cotton trading contributed to the town's development, and after the Meiji period, the spinning and textile industries became central.
Even today, Kurashiki City continues to produce a variety of products (canvas, school uniforms, jeans, etc.) centered around Kojima, as Fujihara mentioned.
Lecture "What is Suinkyo?" by Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society
Next, a lecture on "Suinkyo" was given by Oda Akihiro, the secretary-general of the Kurashiki Suinkyo Preservation Society, and Ando Toshiharu, a board member.
Suinkyo appears as "just an old man and old woman wearing large masks" during festivals.
The origin of Suinkyo is as an attendant to the lion during the Mikoshi procession at Myoken Shrine (now Achi Shrine) that took place during the Edo period.
Later, it became customary to protect the children gathered at the festival by tapping them with a fan, which led to the saying that being tapped would result in "growing up healthy and smart" and "good things will happen."
Notably, the Suinkyo mask, characterized by its large ears, is made of washi (Japanese paper).
Rain and summer sweat are certainly enemies, and it is said that after each use, the mask is carefully dried.
Experience as Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassadors and Suinkyo
Afterward, an experience of wearing the Suinkyo mask and costume was conducted.
At first, the Kurasho students were shy.
However, they gradually began to wear the masks and put on the costumes.
Finally, they were enthusiastically using the fans to tap.
Conclusion
Members of the Sugenkyo Preservation Society spoke about the "sense of fulfillment" of Sugenkyo as follows:
- Being hit without being scolded, but rather being worshipped and thanked
- Feeling like an idol, being able to take photos with many tourists, and having direct interactions with people
The Kurashiki Commercial High School students who experienced Sugenkyo this time seemed to feel that "sense of fulfillment" while playfully hitting each other.
At the "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki," Sugenkyo is scheduled to play an active role as a Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassador.
I am looking forward to seeing whether the Kurashiki Commercial High School students will participate as Sugenkyo.
Articles about Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Data on the "Japan Heritage x Sugenkyo" Outreach Lecture
| Name | "Japan Heritage x Sugenkyo" Outreach Lecture |
|---|---|
| Date | May 22, 2025 (Thursday) 1:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
| Location | Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School Healing Room |
