2024 Play in the Mountain Village — Vol. 04
“An Experience Learning the Journey from Tree Felling to Finished Product”
~ Enter the Forest, See the Trees, Try Woodworking ~
This event was held on September 14, 2024.
A workshop in which participants gathered materials from the forest surrounding the tea garden, then combined them with kits designed by students from Nagoya Zokei University to create their own original works. Eiichi Ito of the Forest Livelihood Research Institute joined as guide and advisor during the materials-gathering portion of the day.
“Play in the Mountain Village” typically draws participants mostly from outside of town, but on this occasion roughly half came from within Yaotsu itself — something of a rare occurrence. That said, most of those local participants had moved to the area relatively recently. Though I was meeting many of them for the first time, it was a joy to spend the day with people who share a love of nature and a genuine interest in environmental conservation.
In the morning, with Captain Yamanji (Eiichi Ito) leading the way, we explored the grounds of Iwadaira Tea Garden and gathered materials. In the afternoon, students from Nagoya Zokei University took over as instructors, guiding participants through a woodworking session that made use of what had been collected earlier. Surrounded by the rich natural setting of Iwadaira Tea Garden, children and adults alike threw themselves into the work — absorbed, yet unhurried. Along the way, everyone shared a relaxed, convivial time together, snacking on tea from Iwadaira, fresh figs picked on the grounds, chestnut sweet paste, and Yaotsu rice crackers.
As the pieces neared completion, delighted voices could be heard from all around — “Mine turned out wonderful!” The students’ original designs were given an extra twist by each participant, and the finished works shone with the personality of their makers.
We had been keeping a nervous eye on the weather, but the sun stayed with us right through to the end of the event. It was a humid and sweltering day for mid-September, but a wonderful time was had by all.
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us — we look forward to seeing you again!
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