Mr. Luis Raimundo (Manager/Volunteer program coordinator)
The Japan Cat Network (hereinafter referred to as JCN) was co-founded in 2000 in Shiga Prefecture by Susan Roberts, an American woman, to help stray cats. The organization went on to create a base in Fukushima, following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and now JCN has programs in Tokyo and Kyoto, helping with cat issues throughout Japan. The JCN Kyoto program is based in a Machiya style house in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, and has an office, accommodation for volunteer members and a cat rescue house. We interviewed Susan and Luis, one of the main volunteers, about their work with the JCN.
― How long have you been involved with the JCN?
Susan: For me, it’s been 20 years.
Luis: I started volunteering in May 2020 and have been working as a manager since July.
― What do you do on a daily basis at the JCN?
Susan: As a foster and adoption parent coordinator, my main job is to interview prospective parents and determine if they are suitable for the foster or adoption of cats. In addition to taking care of the cats, I also answer emailed questions about stray cats and other cat related issues every day.
Luis: As a volunteer program coordinator, I’m responsible for training volunteer staff and managing the schedules. In addition, I manage cat health and the rescue houses.
― What is the most important thing a person should know or understand when volunteering at the JCN?
Susan & Luis: The JCN recruits volunteers to take care of the cats, and we will let them know what to do. Therefore, volunteers really don’t have to know anything much beforehand. However, it is very important they understand and learn how to take care of animals, and have a true desire to help them.
― What has been the most difficult thing you have had to deal with while you have been at the JCN?
Susan: When the Great East Japan Earthquake happened, in 2011, it was impossible for the victims and their pets to live together because they could not accept animals at evacuation centers. It was very sad to have to take pets away from their owners. There have been other difficult situations as well. For example, we were once contacted about a cat trapped in a locked car, and a frantic call to the police was made.
― What do you find most rewarding about being involved in the JCN?
Susan: Everything I do is rewarding, but one of the things I was very glad about was a video of the JCN’s activities was included in a published junior high school English textbook called “New Horizons.” This was an important message, and I hope this will help spread awareness of the plight of stray cats.
Luis: When I look at the messages, the pictures and videos of the cats that the foster parents send me, I can see how they are being loved, and this is very rewarding.
― What is the philosophy of the JCN?
Susan: “Helping people help pets.” In order to change the current situation in various regions, we need to change people’s attitudes and behavior and help them as much as possible. For example, I answer questions from people on a daily basis about how best to care for their cats. By doing this, I believe we can begin to help stray cats more and more.
― Why do you think organisations like yours exist? What can we do to eliminate the need for organizations like the JCN?
Susan: The fact that there are animal protection groups like the JCN is because there are obviously problems to be solved in this area. Of course, the main solution is to take measures to reduce the number of stray cats. That’s why it’s important to give advice to people on how to take care of cats and other animals.
― What role do you think the JCN play in Ukyo Ward and for the people living in Ukyo Ward?
Susan: One of the roles of the JCN in Ukyo Ward is to decrease the number of stray cats. This can be accomplished by increasing the number of cats that undergo contraceptive corrective surgery. When we find a stray cat, we trap it with a humane trap designed not to harm the cat and take it to the hospital for surgery. After the operation, if the cat is fine, we will return it to the original place. It is very important for cats to have contraceptive correction surgery, because if there are too many cats living on the streets, they can’t eat or drink enough, and kittens in particular have difficulty surviving. Therefore, in order to avoid an increase in the number of poor stray cats, it is extremely important to have contraceptive correction surgery performed on the stray cats.
― How do you think the two of you and the JCN will play a greater role in the local community in the future?
Susan: As the main role of the JCN is to act as a bridge between cats and their foster parents, we would like to create a ‘cat café’ as a place to give people in Ukyo Ward the opportunity to meet our cats.
Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is an agricultural experience farm located in Sagahirosawa, Ukyo-ku. Unlike ordinary citizens’ farms, where you can freely farm by renting small plots, this is a farm where you can experience consistent farming from planting to harvesting under the guidance of the farmer. Seedlings, fertilizers, and tools are all provided by the farm and Mr. Imai, who is an agricultural expert, gives careful guidance so beginners can join without worry. This farm focuses on growing vegetables without pesticides, and uses organic farming techniques, so it is possible to harvest safe and delicious vegetables. In addition, the farm is used by participants of all ages from children to adults, as a platform for local people to interact with each other and grow vegetables together.
― How long have you been working at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: I have been working here for 6 years since 2015.
― What is your main job or role at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: In addition to our traditional farm work of selling harvested vegetables to supermarkets, we try to contribute to the local area by broadening the roles of farmers as I suppose that is the future of farming. For instance, we provide guidance to local people on farm work to help them learn about agriculture. We also grow rice in Nantan City and Kameoka City and besides Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, there are fields in the Kameoka and Kisshoin areas. We are also working with university teachers to develop new vegetables.
― Please tell me about your daily work at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm.
Mr. Imai: My son oversees administration duties for the farm, and I mainly manage the fields, giving advice on planting and harvesting to those who come out for the agriculture experience. We also decide what vegetables to grow and the amount to grow. We plan for our farms in each season and provide advice on how well each person is taking care of his or her own plots, so that people can share the joy of harvesting.
― Do you think Sukoyaka Sagano Farm has a special role in the lives of Ukyo-ku and Ukyo-ku residents?
Mr. Imai: My role is to help people return to the basics of learning how vegetables are produced. Since this area is close to the city center, there are many people who are not so familiar with agriculture and its developments. So, my role is to provide such people with firsthand experience of the natural growth of vegetables, so that they can gain knowledge about agriculture, and to share knowledge with others, so that people of all ages can communicate and make connections through farming. The role of Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is to create a fun community for people to participate in such activities.
― What role do you hope to play in your community in the future?
Mr. Imai: I believe that the activities we are carrying out today will help us to be more responsible to the local community. We have contributed in many ways, and I think we are spreading the basic ideas of what can be done through agriculture.
― What age group of people participate in the farming experience? Also, do you have any ideas to invite people of other ages to participate in this farming experience?
Mr. Imai: There are participants of all ages joining this farm experience. There are many people with parents and children. However, recently due to the influence of COVID-19, some university students began participating with their friends on holidays, as well as volunteers from Kodomo Shokudo (a special restaurant for children in need) to provide healthy food for their menus. For elderly people, there are those who want to be out in the sun once a day, or those who want to just take a walk in the fields. They can gather to meet their needs. We also have become involved with the curriculum of local kindergartens and elementary schools. We encourage all who are interested to learn more about our programs through our website and pamphlets.
― What do you want the participants to learn the most through the farming experience?
Mr. Imai: I would like people to learn more about agriculture and enjoy farming based on this knowledge. Furthermore, I hope that more people can experience how delicious organic vegetables are, and that eating them will lead to a wholesome and healthy life.
― What kind of vegetables do you grow at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm? Are you planning to grow new or rare kinds of vegetables in the future?
Mr. Imai: I am always looking for new vegetables to be able to grow. We also receive requests about new vegetables from people who participate in the Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, so we sometimes choose the vegetables to grow in response to those requests. We have grown more than 50 kinds of vegetables so far. Kyoto has a variety of original vegetables called Kyo-Yasai (Kyoto vegetables) and continues to develop new varieties. I think it will be our new challenge to grow these on the farm.
― How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: Due to the COVID-19 situation, gathering at a farm is different from before and we need to be careful. We ask participants to wear masks and face shields, and to disinfect their hands. At the same time, we try to avoid crowded situations; for example, we provide several guidance sessions in smaller groups. On the other hand, there are more people who want to take up farming as a hobby to possibly escape from working remotely. On the farm they can relax and be rejuvenated by working in nature. So, I think we have created a place for people to be with their families and interact with others in a healthy way.
― If you could connect with Sukoyaka Sagano Farm overseas, what would you like to teach people overseas?
Mr. Imai: There are about 150 farms across Japan that offer agricultural experiences, and they are mainly in Tokyo as the network of farms expanded after the decision was made to host the Olympics. International visitors to Japan can try out Japanese agriculture as part of a sightseeing activity and experience our high-quality and delicious vegetables which we are very proud of. Currently, there are three international people who participate in the farm program: two are from France and one is from Germany. We teach them how to take care of crops and how to harvest them using farming methods that suit Japan’s climate and soil. They get excited to talk about how to cook and eat vegetables with others without caring about their cultural differences. I hope that this will be a place for them to learn more about Japan and its food culture.
Kameya Hirokiyo is a confectionery shop and bakery located in Keihokushuzan-cho, Ukyo Ward, about an hour’s drive north of central Kyoto, in an area surrounded by rich nature. Since its establishment in 1922, the shop has produced and sold sweets that have continued to be loved and enjoyed by the locals. Some sweets use locally produced ingredients such as vegetables, honey, eggs, and local sake, and it is easy to feel the deep connection that exists between Kameya Hirokiyo and the region. The shop displays a variety of products that feature elements of both Japanese and Western style confectionary, including seasonal Japanese sweets, baked goods and cakes. This area is also well known as the place where Mitsuhide Akechi, a very famous samurai, was very active in the 16th century during the Sengoku period. To represent his strong ties to the area, sweets bearing the motif of Shuzan Castle and his buried treasure are sold here, as these images are directly related to this legendary warrior. In addition, in connection with Kitayama Forestry, a traditional industry in Keihoku, sweets inspired by Kitayama cedar have also become part of the shop’s signature items. In this interview, we asked the current, and third-generation owner, Yoshihiro Fujimoto, and his wife, Hiroko Fujimoto, about their work at Kameya Hirokiyo and their personal thoughts about Keihoku.
― How long have you been working for Kameya Hirokiyo?
Mr. Fujimoto: Actually, this is my parents’ house. After graduating from college, I worked at another store for about 3 years and came back here when I was 25 years old. I am 65 years old now, so I have worked in this shop for 40 years.
― What did you do before you worked here?
Mr. Fujimoto: I used to live and work in a Japanese and Western style confectionery shop after graduating from college.
― What is your main job in Kameya Hirokiyo?
Mr. Fujimoto: (pointing to cakes and sweets) This! We make cakes every day, even if we have no orders. We always have a display of them in the shop, and when they sell well we need to repeat the production process two or three times. Sometimes they don’t sell so well, so the work we do differs depending on the day. Anyway, I still continue to make something from morning to night, because I also prepare sweets with a longer shelf life, in my spare time.
― We have heard that you used to make mainly Japanese sweets in the past, so can you tell us what made you decide to produce Western style sweets, too?
Mr. Fujimoto: My parents used to only make Japanese sweets, but I guess, over time, I began to feel this was a little limiting. As I said, before I worked at Kameya Hirokiyo, I worked at a shop that made both Western and Japanese confectionery and actually, at that time, Western confectionery was selling better. That is why I made the decision to start making Western type sweets. Many Japanese confectionery jobs are really quite monotonous, but with Western confectionery there are numerous different things you need to do in a day. This often involves handling fresh ingredients, like cream, so you need to work fast to complete the process. I think perhaps this is why Western confectionary and cakes have become more mainstream.
― What particular kind of confectionery, or cake, holds special memories for you?
Mr. Fujimoto: This cheesecake is the first cake I made here. I change the mixture little by little each time, I make it though as I am still developing it. However, brandy cake is the first baked confectionery I made on my own, so that is also very special for me. The brownie like “Mokutan no Kakera (which means “a piece of charcoal”)” we sell is very popular, but the first big hit because of its unique name was the Baumkuchen “Kokishin“. The three kanji characters that make up Kokishin mean “like”, the “wood” and “heart”, and the overall meaning from the sound is “curiosity”. At first, we called it “Kitayama Sugi no Kireppashi (a small piece of Kitayama cedar)” and it sold pretty well. Anyway, I have many memories of making sweets with special or unusual names.
― Yes, when I saw the names of various sweets on the website of the shop, I realized there are many that have very unique names. How do you decide what to name them?
Mr. Fujimoto: The ideas just pop into my head! (laughs)
Mrs. Fujimoto: Actually, because we have a special attachment to the local area, we try to express the good things about the community through our sweets. For example, the confectionery called “Kigokoro“, meaning “wood and “heart” was named after those who work with trees. Since long ago, the key industry in the region has been related to forestry and lumber production, so I think that keeping up with this tradition is important. We sell sweets because we are happy if local people buy them as gifts, or if people from somewhere else want to buy some sweets related to trees. We make our products using local ingredients such as honey and sake, and in this way can let people know more about our local area through the medium of sweets. This is what we try to do as confectioners.
― What special feeling do you have about your products?
Mr. Fujimoto: I feel like I am offering the charm of Keihoku, I want to make sweets that local people can be proud of when giving to people in other areas.
― What do you do in your daily life other than making sweets?
Mr. Fujimoto: We grow our own vegetables and some of the other ingredients we use.
Mrs. Fujimoto: Of course, we do buy things from local farmers, too, but we try to use vegetables from our own garden.
― When do you feel most connected with local people? Does Kameya Hirokiyo do anything to make a connection with the community?
Mrs. Fujimoto: We have set up a donation box for the Green Fund (Midori no Bokin) and we also display books called “Keihoku no Mukashigatari“. In these books, there are stories of the legend of Mitsuhide Akechi’s buried treasure, and we make sweets related to that, too. I think displaying these books and selling themed sweets will help the local people in some way. There are also volunteer activities around here, such as guiding people to Shuzan Castle, support for people with dementia, and “Kodomo 110-ban no Ie”, which is a safe place designated by the police for children in danger. We have put up a sign at the entrance about this and it helps bring important information to the local people.
― What is your favorite thing about Ukyo Ward or Keihoku?
Mr. Fujimoto: I want to protect the natural environment around here, such as the forests, mountains and rivers. We call this area “Ukyo” now, but it used to be known as “Keihoku-cho Kitakuwada-gun, Kyoto Prefecture.”1. To be honest, it is sometimes hard to realize we are part of Ukyo-ku or Kyoto City.
― How do you like living in Keihoku?
Mr. Fujimoto: If you come from the city, you have to drive up here on mountain roads. If it rains even a little bit, the roads may be closed, so I sometimes think this is an inconvenient place to live. But I also feel quite content when I wake up in the morning. I guess it’s a little difficult to explain.
― Why do you still live in Keihoku?
Mr. Fujimoto: When I get up in the morning and take a walk around the neighborhood, I realize it’s a really nice place, and the slow pace of life suits me well. This is where I was born and raised, so I can honestly say that I am at home here.
Note:
1. Keihoku-cho, Kitakuwada County, Kyoto Prefecture, was integrated into Kyoto City on April 1, 2005, and thereafter became a part of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City.
Interviewers/Authors: Ayane Maekawa, Hina Yamanaka
Mr. Naoki Ueda (Vice Chairman)
Mr. Taiji Matsuno (International Department Manager)
Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School is a Japanese language and culture school that offers courses to students from various countries. “Min” means “exchanges between people” and “Minsai” refers to the “interaction between people from different cultures”. The school values people-to-people exchanges through education in language and culture, and it strives to nurture international people who can play an active role in the world, while contributing to world peace. In this interview, Mr. Ueda, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Matsuno, International Department Manager, shared with us the main activities and philosophy of Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School.
― How long have you both been working at Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School, (hereinafter referred to as Kyoto Minsai).
Mr. Ueda: Before, I was working for a resource development company, but I wanted to work in management. I heard about this job at Kyoto Minsai, and I joined the company in October 2019.
Mr. Matsuno: I have been working since 2009, after completing the 3-month Japanese language teacher training course offered by Kyoto Minsai.
― What are your main jobs and roles in Kyoto Minsai?
Mr. Ueda: We aim to create a school that is needed by both the local and international communities, and we are working to create a workplace where teachers and staff can work together with a sense of satisfaction.
Mr. Matsuno: I do a variety of things related to sales and promotion, such as holding interviews overseas to bring in foreign students and assisting applicants in the application process for the visa required for studying in Japan.
― What kind of jobs and activities do you do every day or week for Kyoto Minsai?
Mr. Ueda: In the teaching department, we instruct students about Japanese language, Japanese culture, and career paths. Regarding administrative jobs, we manage the school and students, and communicate with various government officials regarding our students. The online business division, which began last year, also provides online lessons and information via SNS.
Mr. Matsuno: Our school has four entries a year, so I’m usually very busy assisting foreign students with their visa applications when they apply to Kyoto Minsai. I am also in charge of school promotions to meet with prospective students and study abroad agencies.
― For the students studying Japanese at Kyoto Minsai, what are their main goals?
Mr. Matsuno: There are two courses at our school. The Long-Term Course prepares students to enter a Japanese vocational school, university, or graduate school. The Short-Term Course is for those who want to work in Japan or work in their home country using Japanese.
― What part of your job at Kyoto Minsai is most rewarding for you?
Mr. Ueda: I feel rewarded when I see the growth of students, teachers and staff members through their everyday efforts. It’s even better if I have been involved in the process of their growth.
Mr. Matsuno: I get involved with the students early on at the interview stage, so watching their growth through their studies is extremely rewarding. At first, they can’t speak Japanese at all, but as I see them gradually learning Japanese and using the language for conversation, I become satisfied with my work.
― Why did you choose to establish Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School in Ukyo Ward?
Mr. Ueda: Kyoto is famous for its history, culture, tradition, and art. It also puts a lot of effort and support into education and tourism, so I thought it was the best place for foreign students to learn about Japan. Within Kyoto, Ukyo Ward has a quiet and calm environment that is good for students, and I also thought it was easily accessible to various areas as it is in the center of Kyoto.
― As a Japanese language school in Ukyo Ward, what kind of relationships have you developed with the local community?
Mr. Matsuno: We were asked by the Ukyo Police Station to record announcements in five languages to use at some tourist destinations. The announcements made by the students at that time are still being used in the bamboo grove of Arashiyama.
― What is the most impressive thing about Kyoto Minsai for both of you?
Mr. Ueda: As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, it has been difficult for some students to live comfortably. Residents and entrepreneurs donated food and other resources to support the students. I was most impressed and even cried when seeing our students’ smiles when I was able to distribute these donated goods. This motivated me to work even harder for them.
Mr. Matsuno: I remember a student who I taught Japanese at a university in Indonesia for three years. At that time, she could not speak Japanese at all, but after she graduated from university, she came to study at our school and after that she passed the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Furthermore, she was able to work for a company in Japan.
― What are your plans for Kyoto Minsai in playing a greater role in the community in the future?
Mr. Ueda: I hope we can introduce more technology into our education programs and continue to work with local people to address local issues concerning our school and students.
Mr. Matsuno: In particular, many students from Southeast Asia are interested in becoming caregivers in Japan, so I hope that we can better match healthcare employers with students who want to become caregivers.
― Finally, what do you think is the most important thing about Kyoto Minsai?
Mr. Ueda: Our educational philosophy is “Through the education of Japanese culture, we aim at fostering global citizens who understand, accept, and love the ideas of others and cultures of different countries and regions. Not by means of interaction between a country and a country, but by having interaction between people and people with Japanese language and culture as the catalyst, we cultivate the mindset of mutual understanding, and we believe these efforts lead to world peace.” I hope we can share this with people in the local community and work together towards the same goal.
https://kyotogaidai.org/ukyoxkufs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4187-1.png4801074Ryo Nakatsujihttps://kyotogaidai.org/ukyoxkufs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cropped-unnamed-file-300x300.pngRyo Nakatsuji2021-08-16 04:08:272021-09-29 08:25:36[Ukyo in Action] Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School
Kyoto Hannaryz is a Kyoto-based team belonging to the Japanese men’s professional basketball league “B LEAGUE”. Ms. Tomoka Ogo, who is in charge of sales at Kyoto Hannaryz, gave us a valuable opportunity to interview her about the appeal of the team and its connection with Ukyo Ward.
― According to the Kyoto Hannaryz website, the team was founded in 2008. Who made the decision to set it up in Kyoto? Also, please tell us the origins of the team’s name.
Ms. Ogo: The parent company of this team is called Arkray, and to coincide with celebrations marking its 50-year anniversary in 2008, it was decided that a new project should be launched, and that project was Kyoto Hannaryz. The team was set up to participate in the “bj League”, and the team’s name comes from “hannari“, a word in the Kyoto dialect, which means “elegant, lively but restrained”.
― You are in charge of sales at Kyoto Hannaryz. What exactly do you do?
Ms. Ogo: My main job is to deal with our sponsors, as sponsorship makes up the majority of our revenue. Generally, basketball teams have three main sources of income: sponsorship, ticket sales, and merchandise. Frankly speaking, since it is the off-season now, meetings with, and proposals to, sponsor companies are largely being conducted in preparation for next season. In addition to this, I also do a lot of on-site work such as setting up, and the issuing of tickets on match days.
― Is there any special meaning attached to the logo or uniform of Kyoto Hannaryz?
Ms. Ogo: Being Kyoto based, and to show fighting spirit, the design is actually based on the famous samurai group The Shinsengumi.
― What do you think is the most appealing aspect of Kyoto Hannaryz?
Ms. Ogo: In terms of basketball as a whole, I think it is the relative closeness to the people and the speed of the players. The appeal of Kyoto Hannaryz as a team, however, is that we can see a complete show that is very representative of Kyoto, as well as the sight of our young players working hard and facing up to strong opponents.
― We would like to ask about Kyoto Hannaryz’s connection with Ukyo Ward. How do you engage with the local community?
Ms. Ogo: Last season it was difficult to do much due to the influence of the Coronavirus, but before this we often used to provide elementary and junior high school students of Ukyo Ward with free tickets to games. Also, employees from 11 post offices in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto wore Hannaryz T-shirts in their workplace. In addition, in collaboration with Nishkyogoku shopping district, we created Coronavirus infection prevention posters using characters from Kyoto Hannaryz, and gave clear files and eco-bags as presents to 211 students at 3 elementary schools in Ukyo Ward.
― What role do you think Kyoto Hannaryz will play in the region in the future?
Ms. Ogo: As a sports team, it is of course important to win and please the fans, but the main reason this team exists is to cheer up and encourage the city of Kyoto and its citizens. Therefore, from now, we would like to carry out activities to help solve problems in the area, and visit local schools and hospitals.
― We think you have had to face a lot of difficulties amid the Coronavirus crisis. For the management of a sports team, the support of fans must be indispensable. Has such a situation made you appreciate the importance of your fans more?
Ms. Ogo: It was really tough last season. As for management, the hardest part was not being able to hold games. Even when it was possible, it was difficult because the income from ticket sales was greatly reduced due to entrance restrictions. Also, when we played a no-spectator game against the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, there was no applause or cheering from the fans, so it felt more like a practice game. Once again, I feel that the cheers and applause of the fans would have been a really big help.
― Do you have any words of advice for the students at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies?
Ms. Ogo: Right now, we are in a very difficult situation with the disease, but before you start job hunting, think carefully and try to find something that interests you. If you have something in mind already, try to dig a little deeper into it. If you don’t have any real idea, keep trying various experiences until you find one. When you’re out in mainstream society, you may experience a lot of hard times, but you can still work hard on things that interest you and try to overcome your problems. Learn to live your own life!
Ninnaji Temple was founded in 888 AD and is now the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. There are historical buildings that were built in the Edo era such as Gojunoto Pagoda and Niomon Gate and it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. On the day of the interview, we first visited the Ninnaji Temple complex, guided by Rev. Ryujun Oishi, a senior priest. We were able to listen to many interesting stories, such as certain information on Emperor Hirohito’s connection to the temple around the end of World War II, the story of wood used in the main building, and the story of the pictures painted on sliding paper doors (fusuma).After the interview, we were also able to experience a virtual reality exhibition showcasing the temple’s national treasures and became so excited to see the Buddha statues, national treasures and important cultural properties, up so close on VR. We asked about the digitization efforts and what role Ninnaji Temple plays in Ukyo Ward. In addition to Rev. Oishi, we were able to speak with Rev. Gishin Kanazaki, the section manager of Ninnaji.
― How long have you been working at Ninnaji Temple?
Rev. Oishi: I have been working as both a chief Buddhist priest and a civil servant since I was in my twenties. I retired in my sixties and then in 2014 when I was 66 the current head priest of Ninnaji Temple, who was a classmate of mine from university, asked me to come to Ninnaji to work.
― What is your main role at the temple?
Rev. Oishi: I’m primarily a finance manager, but I’m also in charge of the maintenance of the landscape, and work in visitor services at Ninnaji Temple. At present, it is an important task to rebuild our finances due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19.
―What kind of place is Ninnaji Temple for residents living in Ukyo Ward?
Rev. Oishi: We try to provide a place for people to feel at ease and I want everyone to relax. I also would like to create an environment where people can talk with monks to ease their concerns.
― In what ways do you think Ninnaji Temple can contribute to the local community in the future?
Rev. Oishi: I think we should inform people in Ukyo Ward more about Ninnaji Temple so they can feel connected with the temple complex. During the light up events in spring and autumn, we schedule a special day and invite Ukyo Ward residents to come for free, but this service is not well known yet. We also provide a space in the temple for people to come together to eat bentos (boxed lunches) and it is a good way to develop strong connections with the local community. We hope to create more opportunities to connect with the residents of Ukyo-ku.
― Please tell us about “Cleaning Volunteers”.
Rev. Oishi: “Cleaning Volunteers” is the name of a project in which volunteers clean the temple grounds and the Omuro Pilgrimage trail, which is a 2-hour walking course behind Ninnaji Temple. Our goal is to organize 100 volunteers, and currently we have between 20 and 40 people registered. About 20 students from Ritsumeikan University volunteer with the project and the rest are general volunteers. We would like more people to join this project.
― In addition to Ninnaji Temple, Kyoto has many historic temples and tourist destinations. However, in some places multilingual information is lacking, and this is an issue Kyoto is facing due to the increase of foreign tourists. What is Ninnaji Temple doing to provide services for foreign visitors?
Rev. Oishi: We have received a grant from the government to assist us in providing multilingual support in languages such as English, Chinese, French and Korean. Many temples and sites in Kyoto have the latest digital technology, and at Ninnaji Temple visitors can use their smartphones to access QR codes on various signs which provide enhanced 3D maps and information in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
― We saw the map of the precincts of Ninnaji Temple on the website and thought it was rare that there was a universal access version for people in wheelchairs or with strollers. Could you tell us how you came up with the idea of making these maps?
Rev. Oishi: The universal access version was created with a grant from the Japanese government in cooperation with Kyoto University.
Rev. Kanazaki: Because this temple complex is so large, we made maps to assist first-time visitors. Moreover, we are currently taking measures to increase the number of younger visitors to the temple. For example, for the design of the temple’s brochure we used three-dimensional images and an image of a cloudy sky instead of a blue sky on the cover. In addition, we regularly hold art exhibitions in spaces around the complex. I hope that these efforts will gain the recognition of young people and will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the temple in the future.
― What do you consider are the most important things necessary to continue the legacy and the history of Ninnaji Temple?
Rev. Oishi: We continuously pray for peace and happiness all over the world. I hope we are creating an environment at Ninnaji Temple where everyone can feel happy with their life, as well as experience a sense of peace while visiting Ninnaji Temple.
Interviewers/Authors: Ayane Maekawa, Hina Yamanaka, Ryo Nakatsuji
Mr. Kunihiro Tokumaru, the representative director of the non-profit Frontier Association, is considered a pioneer of regional planning for Ukyo Ward and, at one time, served as a member on several committees in the ward focused on development of the area.
― Where are you from and how long have you lived in Ukyo Ward?
Mr. Tokumaru: I am from Sakyo Ward, and I moved to Ukyo Ward when I was in the second year of junior high school.
― What were you doing before you founded the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: I was self-employed and engaged in motor sports as a hobby.
― What is the origin of the name Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: It has the meaning of pioneering the future. It can also mean contributing to people who have given us support.
― Why did you choose Ukyo Ward to establish the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: Before we established the association, I built a facility for people in Ukyo Ward to hold sports events. Then, I wanted to do more besides enjoying sports events and decided to get involved with environmental conservation activities. So, I asked my friends to join me, and we decided to establish the current Frontier Association.
― What kind of activities have you been involved in at the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: We are engaged in a variety of community-based activities which can only be done by us. We helped establish a place called MACHIKO in the Ukyo Ward Office to provide a place for local people to come together and contribute to community building.
― What is the most important thing for the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: It has been more than 20 years since the association was established, so the purpose of its activities has changed little by little. We are now focusing on building a society centered on children and how to pass on various things to those who will be shouldering the future.
― Are you only doing activities with the children in Ukyo Ward?
Mr. Tokumaru: For now, we are only active in Ukyo Ward. By doing so, we can give dedicated support to children in this area.
― Then, what kind of specific activities does Frontier Association offer?
Mr. Tokumaru: There is an activity in which about 50 children can experience Japanese drumming at a local shrine. This activity is a valuable experience as it helps them learn more about Japanese culture. Also, along with the child, the whole family usually comes, so it is a good opportunity to bring many people to one place and have fun together.
― What is most rewarding regarding your work at the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: It is to hear the children cheering and laughing.
― I heard that you have been abroad several times. In your travels, have you experienced similar activities to those you are doing at Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: I first travelled abroad more than 20 years ago, and I felt there was a significant difference in the degree of poverty in many countries. It was completely different from Japan.
― What are the goals of the Frontier Association?
Mr. Tokumaru: It is to convey to everyone the importance of continuing onwards toward the future.
― What do you like about Ukyo Ward?
Mr. Tokumaru: Ukyo Ward is a place where culture and art are nearby and within walking distance. I like that aspect of the area.
― Do you have a favorite place in Ukyo Ward?
Mr. Tokumaru: Arashiyama in winter. It is not crowded and is beautiful even when it snows.
― How do think Ukyo Ward is special and different from other wards in Kyoto?
Mr. Tokumaru: Frontier Association is based in Uzumasa, and I feel that the level of contact with residents is extremely high.
― What should Ukyo Ward do to improve the area?
Mr. Tokumaru: There are many east and west roads, but few that run north and south, so I think the city should add more north and south roads.
― Please describe Ukyo Ward in one word.
Mr. Tokumaru: History. There are a few World Heritage Sites nearby that offer a lot of historical culture.
― Finally, do you have a message for KUFS students, please?
Mr. Tokumaru: Don’t just end your student life inside the school. Talk to people in your community and make a lot of good connections.
Miwa Satake is the president of the Arashiyama-based marriage consulting firm KUON KYOTO. She works as a marriage counselor, working with couples before and after they get married. She started her career working for a counseling company based in Osaka that provided services in Osaka and Kyoto, but two years ago she started her own company and moved to Arashiyama. Over the past 12 years, she has counseled over 3,500 people and in the process over 750 couples have benefitted from her counseling. In February 2021, she participated as a guest speaker in the event called “Ukyo-style Jinsei Kaigi1”, as part of “Ukyo Kagayaki Mirai Kaigi2” a series of events organized by Ukyo Ward.
― Are you from Ukyo Ward? And if so, how long have you been living here?
Ms. Satake: I was born in the southern part of Osaka. After I got married, I came to Kyoto. Next year I will have lived in Ukyo Ward for 30 years.
― How long have you been working as a marriage counselor in Arashiyama, and could you explain the details of your work?
Ms. Satake: I have been working as a marriage counselor for 14 years. At first, I was an initial member of a venture company launched in Osaka by people who gathered from different industries. As the company grew, it added a Kyoto branch. Two years ago, I started a marriage consulting business in Arashiyama to create a new form of marriage counseling. In addition to the traditional “pre-marriage” counseling, we also provide people with chances to learn not only about marriage but also relationships. Hopefully, this enables them to live a happy life with their partner while living their own life in a rich and fulfilling way, especially in an aging society where people are expected to live for a long time. We offer various forms of advice and events, including workshops focusing on personal growth and the physical and mental differences between women and men, an event to take family photos, and even advice on smart divorce.
― What has been the hardest part of your career?
Ms. Satake: I have had a lot of hard times consulting about marriage. For example, it is difficult to counsel adolescents and young adults who are facing cancer. In addition, I have recently had more clients with disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQ+, but it is not easy to help them because Japan is lagging in dealing with diversity issues, compared to some countries. It is hard for society, including marriage counselors, to keep up with all the new information concerning these issues. When I fail to help them, I feel powerless, but I do think marriage counseling with couples facing such difficult situations is important. Even if things don’t work out, I try to build a relationship with them to think about their future together as much as possible.
― When do you feel most accomplished in your work?
Ms. Satake: Those who come for counseling have usually lost their self-confidence. During the sessions, when they discover their true self and realize they are already wonderful as a person, I feel very happy and usually hold their hands to share the discovery. I also feel a sense of accomplishment and joy when the couple gets married, maybe has a baby, and says to me, “I am happy today because I met you, Ms. Satake.”. That “thank you” is irreplaceable.
― Please tell me a little about the “Ukyo-style Jinsei Kaigi”. What did you talk about at the meeting?
Ms. Satake: In Ukyo-style Jinsei Kaigi, I gave a talk under the theme, “You can see how you are living now when you plan how you want to end your own life in your own way.” This talk was inspired by the fact that, in recent years, I have lost my father and mother-in-law, and as I look after my own daughter who has terminal cancer, I have come to think deeply about death. It seems to me that there is a strong belief that it is not a right thing to talk about one’s own end, even though everybody ends their own journey of life with death. According to a survey about 70% of people are unable to make their own decisions about treatment when they are near the end of their lives. A traditional Jinsei Kaigi is an effort to create opportunities to discuss and share thoughts with family members and health care practitioners about what kind of health care they want.
In Ukyo-style Jinsei Kaigi, I used a card game called “Moshibana Cards” to help participants discuss how they want to end their life and what they should do now in order to prepare for the end. I thought focusing on the “now” could make such a serious topic easier to discuss for anyone of different generations because they could look at their present life as if they were taking inventory of their lives. However, I was a little surprised that it didn’t resonate well with people in their 70s and 80s, whereas younger generations, such as university students and people in their 40s who were in their prime of life, seemed to be very keen.
Some people write “ending notes”, or a will, but once you create it, it is difficult to update. However, with Jinsei Kaigi, you can continue to update your notes, and if you use this card game, you can easily learn about how your loved one’s views about his or her life and death. I would be happy if Jinsei Kaigi andMoshibana Cards became more known because of this workshop.
― What kind of effect has the Corona pandemic had on your work?
Ms. Satake: It has been difficult for me to hold matchmaking sessions and events, so my work has been affected. I sometimes use Zoom but face to face is better as I think it is important for people to meet in person to develop a close relationship.
― What makes Ukyo Ward special compared to other wards in Kyoto?
Ms. Satake: Toei Kyoto Studio Park is special as there are many craftsmen working there, so I think the artistic aspect is special compared to other wards. TV and film production companies often come to Arashiyama to film various scenes for TV dramas and films. I think Arashiyama is another special place in the ward as it has become quite famous as a kind of “brand.”
― What do you like about Ukyo Ward?
Ms. Satake: It’s a place rich in nature. Now, I feel that the original beauty of Arashiyama has been restored as the number of tourists has decreased due to the influence of corona.
― Which historical or famous place in Ukyo Ward do you think others find most interesting or special?
Ms. Satake: I think Tenryuji Temple is one of the most interesting places in the ward. The temple has a beautiful garden, and every time my friends come to Kyoto, I take them there.
― What is your favorite place in Ukyo Ward?
Ms. Satake: I like Hirosawanoike Pond near Daikakuji Temple. There are no buildings or electric poles on one side of the pond, and it looks like a scene of Japan from many years ago. It is very beautiful when the surface of the pond looks like a mirror. It is a beautiful place in each of the four seasons, and it is my favorite place because it closely resembles the scenery of my hometown.
― Is there anything you want to change or improve about Ukyo Ward?
Ms. Satake: I think the community of Ukyo Ward needs to make some changes in order to give off a better impression. I live in Ukyo Ward, and I feel that many people here are relatively conservative and don’t like changes very much. We need more attractive or fashionable places unique to the ward to make the residents prouder of their home. There are also many vacant houses in Ukyo Ward, and I think we could create a program that makes some of these houses available for artistic people to use and revitalize the community. It’s a good idea to encourage young people to promote Ukyo Ward.
― Do you know anything about Kyoto University of Foreign Studies or Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School? Is there anything you want to know?
Ms. Satake: For Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School, I have an impression that it is a school strong in sports. Kyoto University of Foreign Studies has Morita Memorial Hall, which I always find beautiful when I walk down the street in front of school. I also have an impression that it is a small university but lively. I would like to know if the university offers classes for the general public.
― How would you describe Ukyo Ward in one sentence?
Ms. Satake: “The area has a lot of potential for growth.”
Note
Jinsei Kaigi (literally translated into “life meeting”), also known as “advance care planning,” is a conversation with family members and others that take care of you to discuss in advance the kind of medical care and assistance you want to receive at the end of your life.
Ukyo Kagayaki Mirai Kaigi was a series of three events held in 2019 and 2020 to provide opportunities to Ukyo Ward residents to get together and talk about the future of the ward.
Stephen Gill was born in North Yorkshire, England in 1953 and graduated from London University in 1979 with a degree in Japanese language and literature. He has been living in North-West Kyoto for 26 years, and at present, teaches courses in English language and haiku in English literature at Kyoto University, as well as comparative culture and haiku in English literature at Ryukoku University. Furthermore, Stephen is a leading light in the Hailstone Haiku Circle, Kansai’s only English language haiku society, which has an international membership and meets on a regular basis. He also has a very strong publishing record, including poems, articles, books, and translations, and has had twenty of his scripts broadcast by BBC Radio. Stephen remains active in the arts, giving talks about haiku, as well as holding ike’ishi (生け石), ‘live-stone’ arrangement art installations, of which he has held over twenty to date. Additionally, he is very passionate about environmental protection and helps run the nature conservation volunteer NPO, People Together for Mt. Ogura, which seeks to restore to beauty the place famed for waka near Arashiyama.
― Can you tell me what first brought you to Kyoto, and why you chose to live in Saga?
Mr. Gill: I got married to a Japanese, and we were living and working in London for about ten years. Eventually, she wanted to return to Japan. I found a teaching job in Osaka and because I had lived here before for one year, I knew that Ukyo-ku was a nice and quiet area. Additionally, I could connect with my university campus in Osaka. Then, in 1995, we started looking for a place to live from which we would make a new life here in Japan.
― When did you first become interested in Haiku, and how did you become involved with the Hailstone Haiku Circle?
Mr. Gill: It started when I was around 18 years old and studying at Oxford University. I had already travelled out across land to India during the ‘hippy days’ when many young people decided to drop out of education. I was very unsettled and went up to a Tibetan monastery in Scotland. I went there because I was interested in Tibetan culture. In the monastery’s library there was an assortment of oriental books. One of them was the Penguin Classics translation of Matsuo Basho, the great haiku poet who travelled to the north of Japan. That resonated with me because I had been travelling a little and I had also been writing a little. When I found Basho in 1972 it completely changed the way I looked at the world. I focused on nature as a place to find solace and a sort of stability as I travelled and moved through life, still restless, young, and learning. I eventually went back to university where I studied Japanese language and literature. That knowledge allowed me to read the original Basho in Japanese.
― Do you think the Haiku of today are very different compared to early works? If so, how?
Mr. Gill: Haiku wasn’t a term until Masaoka Shiki started to use it in the Meiji period. The old term, for example, used by Basho in the Edo period was ‘hokku’. Hokku means ‘the starting verse’. A hokku began a sequence written by a whole group of poets, participating in linked verse. It all changes with Shiki, where a haiku, this new term, can stand out and be put on its own. After Shiki, we come to contemporary Japanese and the growth of haiku in North America particularly, and in Britain to a lesser extent. I fit in somewhere towards the end of that curve.
The basic idea of haiku is the same. It should be brief, it should be about nature, and if possible, have a reference to a season. However, immediately after Shiki’s death there evolved a breakaway group which proposed that haiku could be free without seasonal references and not adhering to the 5-7-5 structure. The group of poets around me in Kansai still emphasize seasonality due to Kyoto being a centre of seasonal festivals and traditional attitudes. Nevertheless, our contemporary haiku are a bit different from Basho’s. The basic inspiration remains the same but how we are living today and what we are writing about has changed. There should always be some sort of newness about haiku. It is always moving forward.
― I read that you used to work as an artist in Ukyo-ku creating ‘live-stone’ installations. Can you tell me more about this work, please?
Mr. Gill: When I was a little boy my dad was working near the Scottish-English border. We’d often go to rivers or beaches with lots of stones. I’d pick up stones and display them on a windowsill in my bedroom. When I was much older, I still had that habit. One day, I went to a London University symposium, or conference, at which there was a Shinto expert called Kamata Toji. During the presentation he blew on an iwabue, a roughstone flute. Toji Kamata and I started talking after his presentation. I invited him back to my flat in London and showed him my stones. He was so impressed by some of my paired stones, that he told me we would hold an exhibition when I next went to Japan. Suddenly, when I got to Japan aged 42, I had my first exhibition in a gallery in Tokyo. I exhibited the stones I had found as pairs and people loved it. One thing led to another, I got offers and began to be something of an installation artist. I love to use stones in their natural forms. I just find stones as they really exist and I put with them my haiku on the wall, sometimes with photos, and I also add sounds. It allows for a sort of meditative walkaround with a story. Live-stones is a direct translation. In Japanese it is called ike’ishi.
― I have also heard that you are very active in environmental protection. Can you tell me more about this and the ‘People Together for Mt. Ogura’ group you belong to, please?
Mr. Gill: In 2003, I took some students to Mt. Ogura where we cleared away rubbish such as abandoned sofas, sewing machines, and television sets. I put it all in my van and displayed it at an exhibition at a gallery I had scheduled. The gallery owner was a bit horrified because it wasn’t quite what she was expecting. I covered the floor with the rubbish together with fallen leaves to represent the state in which we found it. On the walls, I put wonderful pictures of Mt. Ogura to show its natural beauty and I mixed my own poetry with some classical allusions to the literature which that mountain embodies. As a poet, I decided I needed to do something and invited some of the head priests of nearby temples along the foot of the mountain. Two of them showed great interest and in due course we spawned a little movement. After about two years, Kyoto City started supporting us because they realized that there was quite a bit of momentum. We also started working with volunteer centers at universities who regularly send students to learn about environmental problems and help clean the mountain. Later, we also started to get into other forms of conservation such as maintaining the bamboo forest fences.
― What are some things you think make Ukyo-ku special, or different from other wards in Kyoto? Please give an example(s)?
Mr. Gill: When looking for a house in 1995, my wife and I were walking around Saga thinking about whether this would be a nice place to live. We got talking to a kind farmer who introduced us to a local estate agent. Two weeks later, we found our place in Saga. After living in London for ten years, we fell in love with living surrounded by rice fields, ponds, and bamboo groves. Compared to other wards in Kyoto, Saga in Ukyo-ku is very spacious and feels open. From the top of the rice fields, ten minutes from where I live, I can even see the mountains of Yoshino in the south of Nara on very clear days. Furthermore, I like hiking and the trails here are much less crowded compared to Higashiyama and Kitayama for example.
― What is your own favorite thing about Ukyo-ku? Why?
Mr. Gill: It is less commercial and very quiet, especially in the evenings. Sometimes I wish the restaurants were open a little bit longer but overall, the quietness is something I very much enjoy. Something else that I quite like is that there are a lot of wildflowers year-round that I can always pick and arrange in a jam jar.
― Which historical or famous sites in Ukyo-ku do you think other people would find the most interesting or special? Why?
Mr. Gill: There are seven Kofun Period burial mounds in Kitasaga. They are probably from the family that came over to help with irrigation, sericulture and other continental techniques to help the Japanese modernize in the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries. Those kofun used to have clumps of trees on them, very similar to the tumuli in my own country. I feel really at home there. It’s a very special, ancient landscape. Some of the rice fields in that area were handcrafted well before the Heian-kyo period.
― What is your personal favorite place in Ukyo-ku? Why do you like it?
Mr. Gill: I really like the nature in and around the Kiyotaki River Valley, especially the stretches outside of Kiyotaki Village. It is a perfect place to cool down during the hot summer. The temperature around Kiyotaki hardly ever goes above 30 degrees, even if it is 36 degrees in the city.
― Is there anything you would like to change or improve about Ukyo-ku? Please give an example(s)?
Mr. Gill: One of the things I’d like to see changed is the illegal dumping of garbage in nature. We started our activities in 2003 and as an NPO in 2006. It used to be tens of tons of rubbish, and we’ve been able to reduce it to less than one ton, maybe not even that, scattered in very inaccessible places. Nevertheless, every time I go on a rubbish patrol along the Tokai Shizen Hodo, which is of course walked by foreign tourists, there are people, most likely from smaller companies, who bring little trucks and instead of paying to have their garbage recycled and separated, just dump it off the road on the backside of Mt. Ogura and other spots around Saga. Now, only volunteer groups clean up these places. It has gotten much better over the last fifteen years, but the problem still goes on. Kyoto City has supported our NPO with equipment and is taking care of the disposal of the gathered rubbish. However, more needs to be done to prevent the illegal dumping in the first place.
Another thing I would like to see changed is the protection of more rice fields. We have a real treasure of an area in Saga but the only protected rice fields at the moment are the ones around the seven kofun (burial mounds) in Kitasaga. Saga used to be a much more open place with lots of rice fields and thatched houses. There are still some rice field areas in Saga, and Kyoto city should quickly look again at the pockets of rice fields and thatched houses, the original landscape of Saga, and introduce preservation orders to protect these places.
― If you could describe Ukyo-ku in one word, what would it be?
Mr. Gill: In my opinion, the word that best describes Ukyo-ku is “kaihokan.” It is a Japanese word that describes the feeling of openness or release. This is what I love about Saga. It has to do the with the way the land is, but it is also just a spiritual quality that Saga has.
https://kyotogaidai.org/ukyoxkufs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4484-1.png396709Ryo Nakatsujihttps://kyotogaidai.org/ukyoxkufs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cropped-unnamed-file-300x300.pngRyo Nakatsuji2021-08-17 09:58:102021-09-19 03:39:44[Living Histories] Mr. Stephen Gill
Ms. Shuko Kurokawa is the okami (female manager) of Sushiyone, a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Keihokushuzan-cho1, Ukyo-ku, that was founded in 1913, boasting a long history of over 100 years. She has always worked very hard, while raising her four children, but still finds time to write about the seasonal delights of the area in the Okami Saijiki section of the Sushiyone website. She is also involved in local activities such as the Tamba Dance Group and the Keihoku Map Creation project.
― Have you always been involved in the ryokan and tourism industries? If not, what did you do before becoming an okami?
Ms. Kurokawa: No, not at all. I grew up in a typical family home and used to work as an office worker. I basically did administrative and secretarial work in various departments in a completely different kind of workplace.
― Did you experience any difficulties when you changed from being an office worker to an okami?
Ms. Kurokawa: Oh, yes. There were a lot, as I really had to start from the beginning. There were so many things I didn’t understand, so when I think about it now, I feel like I did really well. Just after starting work as an okami, I worked in the background and my first child was born. So, it was hard to balance the long hours with child-rearing. My home and work were all under the same roof, and there were a lot of people in the family at that time. My husband’s parents, an uncle, an aunt, their child, a live-in waitress, grandma—it was really a big family. I grew up in a much smaller family situation, so the differences were huge. But I really did my best to cope with what was in front of me.
― Can you tell us a little about your usual daily schedule？
Ms. Kurokawa: This is a very customer-oriented business, so it really depends on the number and type of customers we have at any one time. Each day can be different depending on whether or not we have overnight guests, a party booking for the restaurant, etc. For example, I woke up around 4 a.m. today, as we have guests staying at the moment. This means we have to prepare the bath for them before they wake up and have breakfast ready for when they are finished and dressed. In this ryokan, it is up to guests what they do from the time they wake up to the time they check out, so we have to wait to clean their room and do the laundry until after they have checked out. And we usually have new guests arriving in the afternoon, so we must prepare everything ready to serve them. It’s a totally customer-centered day. Doing the laundry and preparing meals for the family has to be fitted in between jobs.
― What is the most attractive part of Ukyo Ward for you?
Ms. Kurokawa: I think it’s Keihoku more than Ukyo Ward for me, because it used to be Keihoku-cho, Kitakuwada-gun, Kyoto until about 15 years ago. This area has a natural environment unique to this part of the countryside, and it is a good place for raising children. If you have a car, you can be in the city in about an hour, and I like it because it’s relaxing.
― When we saw Okami Saijiki on your website, we thought how wonderful it must be to be able to experience the changing of the seasons up close. What season do you like the most?
Ms. Kurokawa: I hate the cold winters. And because the winter is so long and cold here, I would have to say that spring is my favorite. A lot of cherry blossoms bloom in spring here in Keihoku, so I would like everyone to come and see for themselves. No matter where you look, the town is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms.
― Are the seasons expressed through the cuisine in this ryokan?
Ms. Kurokawa: In spring, there are lots of delicious foods to be enjoyed, such as the colorful edible wild plants that grow locally. We also welcome visitors from all over the country to enjoy our famous local Ayu Kaiseki (traditional cuisine featuring sweet fish) that has been handed down from generation to generation. Keihoku’s sweet fish is particularly delicious, so I definitely recommend people to come to Sushiyone in the summer to try it.
― What do you think makes Ukyo-ku and Keihoku special?
Ms. Kurokawa: The people of Keihoku are wonderful, and the nature is simply beautiful. Also, because the population is quite small, the neighborhood relationships here, from grandparents to grandchildren, are just like that in the old days. People feel connected and look out for each other. I’m not sure whether this would be bothersome for some people, or welcoming for others, but for me personally, it is a special part of life in Keihoku.
― You’re wearing a beautiful kimono. Can you tell us about it?
Ms. Kurokawa: Kimonos can be quite heavy and take up a fair bit of space. Therefore, those who are no longer interested in them, often throw them away. Not me though, I will take them and wear them with great care and respect. Actually, nine years ago, I started a kimono class for local people who don’t usually have the chance to wear them even though they have one, or who find it difficult to put one on by themselves. So, this is an opportunity for them to enjoy wearing kimono together with others, using kimono that have hardly been worn. Kimono is actually a form of handicrafts, so I’m passionate about passing this down to the next generation. As a matter of fact, we have recently decided to sell Ponzu (citrus-based soy sauce) in bottles wrapped in kimono material as souvenirs. In this way, we are trying to do various things to make use of kimonos that would otherwise be abandoned.
Note
1. Keihokushuzan-cho, Ukyo Ward: A town that boasts superb views surrounded by nature, about an hour’s drive from Kyoto City. In 2005, Keihoku-cho, Kitakuwada-gun, Kyoto Prefecture was integrated into Ukyo Ward, and became the current Keihokushuzan-cho.
