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Straw Sandals
Mrs. Onozato and I work diligently to create sandals from straw. 99.12.21/ Temperature: -10C/ Weather: Partly cloudy/ Wind Direction: NW
Start: Sarugakyo Hot Spring 36 44 07 N 138 53 27 E
Destination: Numata City 36 38 34 N 139 02 01 E
Distance Traveled: 25 kmAlong the path to Numata City this morning I couldn't help but stop in at the "Skilled Craftsmen Village" , a village effort to revive Niharu Village. Though there were over 20 crafts to choose from, I spent the morning learning about rice straw crafts and how to make a set of shoes in only one hour.
Started 12 years ago, the Skilled Craftsmen Village was a local move to bring income to into and create jobs in Niharu as well as to create a place for people to actually experience several of Japan's traditional crafts. "You can sit around an open hearth, slowly forget about the time, and master the traditional skills of old," reads a pamphlet advertising the village. Starting with only 4 local craft shops-the Rice Straw House, Carpenter House, Bamboo Craft House, and the Pottery House-the village has attracted craftsmen and women from all over the country. According to one shopkeeper, "People come from afar to experience traditional skills which are on the verge of disappearance."
As many people often describe Japan as a 'rice culture,' I peeked into the Rice Straw House to see how rice has provided for the Japanese. Stepping into the small craft house I immediately noticed a wide variety of straw sandals, shoes, and even boots on the wall. Straw shoulder padding to reduce the burden of carrying heavy crops from the fields hung from the wall. A straw raincoat also dangled in the background. In the foreground was shopkeeper Mrs. Onozato seated upright in front of an open hearth.
My brand new straw sandals. We agreed that I should start with something easy. "You can make a pair of straw sandals in about an hour," she told me. Mrs. Onozato sat me down with a bundle of straw, a wooden jig to hold the straw rope which makes the frame of the sandals. Starting the first sandal her hands quickly weaved straw back and forth between the rope which she held tightly with her other hand. She was so rapid and smooth in her sandal making that I had to interrupt in order to take a shot at making my own. With plenty of help and correction, the two of us were able to put together a nice pair of straw sandals. Trying them on, the ridges of straw along the surface of the sandal comforted by slightly sore feet. Being close to barefoot after 3 months of walking, my feet felt freer than ever.
Should everyone wear straw shoes? We'll we are far off from even creating a minority of straw shoe wearers. Some customers at the Rice Straw House have even asked when or on what occasions should they wear straw sandals.
The shopkeepers of the Skilled Craftsmen Village do not seem to be promoting a return to the past, but offer the skills of the past in an effort to pass the culture of their childhood and to create a new sense of community amongst themselves. "Kids, parents, even young couples really enjoy learning to make things themselves. The elderly who teach here at the Skilled Craftsmen Village also have a chance to make some extra pocket money, it prevents us from going senile, and it gives us a will to live," explained Mrs. Onozato.
Making a pair of sandals from straw in less than an hour seemed like a major feat to me. Sandal making may not be the wisdom to answer to environmental problems facing us, but it reminds us of a time that daily living was dependent directly on nature. If there is anything to be learned from this relationship with nature, you might find some hints from all of the shopkeepers who are working hard to pass on their arts at the Skilled Craftsmen Village.
What do you all think such skills might teach us?
Greg
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