Exploring autumn festivals and traditional crafts in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture

euronews (in English)

In this new episode of Explore Sustainable Japan, we travel across Toyama Prefecture in search of local experiences, from community-led festivals to traditional metal casting workshops.

Transcript

00:00Toyama Prefecture is where the mountains meet the sea.

00:08Known for its craftsmanship, it's now easier than ever to get to thanks to the recent extension

00:12of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line.

00:15I'm taking advantage of this new access to explore some of Toyama's historic cities.

00:19People have been making and trading things here for centuries, and I get to try my own

00:23hand at some traditional metalworking.

00:26And it's time to celebrate with the locals at one of the region's spectacular autumn

00:29festivals.

00:36Takaoka City was once a powerful center of commerce and industry in Japan.

00:41Today, Yamachosuji Street is a testament to Takaoka's merchant past, where you can visit

00:46authentic dozozukuri-style homes like the Sugana Residence.

00:50This is one of the largest dozozukuri-style houses in Yamachosuji District.

00:57And they have very thick walls as fireproof, and they have double door windows that also

01:06close when the fire happens.

01:08Both commercial and residential, the houses were rebuilt in the 1900s after a fire burnt

01:14down more than half the city.

01:17This part is a shop area.

01:19Now we are in the negotiation room.

01:22The room is the most valuable room in this house, and they invite the most valuable clients

01:30and have negotiations here.

01:33Visitors can admire the rich details afforded by the merchant's extraordinary wealth, like

01:38lattice wall panels and custom-made nail covers.

01:42Beyond trade, Takaoka was also one of the country's biggest hubs for metal casting,

01:46especially copper.

01:48Over the years, many workshops have been shuttered or have moved away from traditional techniques.

01:53But the iconic Nausaku Factory found a way to maintain its 100-year-old sand casting

01:58method by supporting it through industrial tourism.

02:01To pass down the tradition to the next generation, we are thinking that it is very important

02:06to show our traditional crafts and also the craftsmen working.

02:13Sand casting forgoes chemical treatment and firing, using natural materials that are entirely

02:17recyclable.

02:19At Nausaku, each brass and tin object, no matter how small, is handcrafted and polished,

02:25one by one.

02:26They make it look easy, but can anyone do it?

02:29I'm testing my skills at Nausaku's workshop.

02:33This is a pattern for the item you are going to make today.

02:37So this dent side down, please put this almost the middle inside the frame.

02:42I'm making a sake cup from pure tin, which is said to reduce acidity and enhance the

02:47drink's flavor.

02:49You need a firm but delicate touch, so the sand is densely packed without falling apart.

02:54After removing the mold, Megumi poured in the molten tin.

02:58And just like that, I had a beautiful handmade sake cup.

03:01Thank you so much for teaching me how to make this.

03:04I'm very happy with my little sake cup.

03:06Arigatou gozaimasu.

03:07Arigatou gozaimasu.

03:08Arigatou gozaimasu.

03:09Education isn't the only way to carry on these local traditions.

03:14Every October in Emizu, the Hojozu Hachimangu Shrine Festival brings the whole region out

03:19to take part in a nearly 400-year-old celebration.

03:23Residents young and old parade around town atop intricate hikiyama floats to give thanks

03:30to their Shinto gods and pray for prosperity.

03:33The local deity also comes down to earth atop a portable shrine.

03:37This year's event represents Emizu's post-earthquake recovery.

04:01Mr. Nakano gave me a jacket from his district so I could join the procession.

04:05The energy was incredible, as was the teamwork needed to push these very heavy floats.

04:11Today there are no more artisans in Emizu who know how to make hikiyama, but the customs

04:16are lovingly preserved.

04:29As night falls, flowers are replaced with lanterns, bathing the streets in an ethereal

04:34glow.

04:39Toyama clearly treasures its traditions and the people who keep them going.

04:43Because of events like this festival, the past will live on through future generations.

04:48I felt a strong sense of community here, and it's been a joy taking part in this celebration

04:53of local culture.

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