PHOTOS & REVIEWS

2026 Workshop in Nagano 10.10.2026 Sports Day

Schedule of the day
　10:00 Gather at Kami-Suwa Station

　10:45 Lecture on "Rice and God" by the priest Miyasaka of the Yatsurugi Shrine

　11:45 Lunch

13:00 Tour around the Okaya Silk Museum with President Takabayashi

　14:30 Weaving at Okaya Silk Gallery

　16:00 Talk and Tour on "Old carpentry techniques and keeping the craft history" by President Iwadare

　17:00. End of the workshop

Review essays from the participants

Rice Cultivation and the Concept of Reincarnation

I had never considered a connection between rice cultivation and the concept of reincarnation. It has sparked my interest in Japanese mythology.

Female Workers in Silk Mills

I was surprised to learn that, at one time, teenage girls accounted for nearly 40% of the population in the silk-reeling town of Okaya. While a 13-hour workday must have been incredibly grueling, I was also struck by the fact that they were granted days off, provided with escorts when returning home to visit their families, and given opportunities to learn skills such as reading, writing, and sewing.

Daily Life and the Divine

Japanese deities are woven into the fabric of everyday life; this reminded me of the importance of living with a sense of gratitude.

Hand-Looms and Their Legacy

It was fascinating to see how these old machines are still carefully maintained, and how the tension applied during weaving can alter both the color and the texture of the fabric.

Traditional Homes: Acknowledging Humans as Living Beings

I resonate with the initiative to preserve traditional Japanese houses. It made me realize that, in my own daily life, I often lose sight of the simple, fundamental truth that human beings are, first and foremost, living creatures.