【秋を五感で楽しむ‼】熊本・阿蘇の恵みを感じる旅〈旅人・桐山漣〉
[Music] Kiriyama Ren’s journey in search of the blessings of Aso, Kumamoto [Music] We stopped off at the hot spring temple at the foot of Asa. Yeah, it’s nice. It’s kind of retro, and this place feels like the Showa era. Oh, what? What? There’s drinkable hot spring water. This is my first time drinking hot spring water. The water has a certain flavor. It tastes like salt and iron ass. Ah, so this is what hot springs taste like. Good. You can also enjoy a foot bath. Wow. Ah, it feels good. The best. There’s a huge line at the restaurant in one corner of our house . I wonder what they’re serving there. I’ll interrupt. Hello. Well, [Music] It’s really busy. I wonder if they have a popular menu item? What are they ordering? Red beef bowl. I want a red beef bowl . I think I’ll try that too. Oh, is that red beef a local specialty? The beef that’s been reported in Asa and other places. Yeah. It’s beef that used to be used for heavy work, and it’s said to be lean and healthy. Lean meat. They’re trying to promote Kumamoto’s red beef, so … Here’s the beef bowl. Yes. Here it is. Let’s eat. Yes. Oh. Ah, they’re lined up so neatly. Delicious . The more you chew, the more you can taste the meat, and it’s really meaty. Meaty. But it’s also very refreshing, and easy to eat. I think adding a mashed egg will change the flavor even more, and it’ll be delicious. Yes. Okay, let’s move on to the next step. Yes. Wow, this is amazing. I like this stage too. There’s no doubt about it. It’s amazing when you come alone and wait in line for your bowl. Yeah. Yeah. Wow, it was delicious. So, I’m already very satisfied. Leaving Onsen Bridge, we headed for the valley that stretches across Kitasebe in Asano. Wow. Wow. [Music] Things are getting more and more exciting. Oh. Here comes Kiku. Wow, amazing. Yeah. It looks like a waterfall could be made. There’s still so much natural noise around here. Where are you from? Saga. From Saga. Wow. I love it. I love it. Wow. It takes quite a while to get to the top. It’s quite a distance. Oh, really? Thank you. It’s my first time, so I’m looking forward to it. Wow, a magnificent Zelkova tree. It’s nice. It’s covered in moss. Kikuguchi Valley, located within the national park, is a popular tourist spot selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters. Wow, it feels great. Wow, the waterfall is gradually coming into view. Amazing. So beautiful. Wow, it’s so impressive. What’s the color of the water? It’s more emerald green than blue. Wow, it’s beautiful. Water is pouring in from all over. Oh, there too. Wow. It’s nice. Oh. Oh. So this is the blessing. This is flowing towards the fire current . [Music] Look at this clarity. Oh, it’s amazing. So good. So pleasant. Wow. Wow. How luxurious. [Music] [Music] The Kikugawa River basin, which originates here, is covered with fertile soil, and the practice of I has flourished here. [Music] This is my first time walking here. The rice terraces are beautiful. Something’s going on. What is it? Are they harvesting? There are children there too. Hello. What are you doing now? We’re nekari. We’re nekari Ikari . Wow. That’s a lot of people. It’s more fun and quicker when you do it with a large group of people. Yes. Oh, would you like to try? Oh, is that okay? Can we try this? Yes. Wow . Okay, let’s do it. It’s surprisingly fun. You can cut without using that much force. That’s right. Yes. It’s fun. Doing this gradually puts me into a meditative state. [Laughter] I hunt mindlessly. I become mindless. Yes. Okay, so this land here is made from a hemp eruption that created what’s called a processed cancer. The water that comes out of that stream is rich in minerals. Yes. And because good water flows from the hemp mountain to this flat , they say the rice here is delicious. Good water means good rice. Good water means good rice. Before you did this job, yes. What were you all doing? I was actually all over the world. Do you know Cirque du Soleil? Ah, yes. Yes, that’s the one. I traveled all over the world as a Cirque du Soleil performer. That’s why I have a certain physique. Not an athlete’s, but an athlete’s physique. Yes. That’s right. He was active as a performer for the global entertainment group Cirque du Soleil. He returned to Japan six years ago and decided to move to Kiku while backpacking around Japan. After harvesting the rice, he prepares the Tenpi Star. He puts it here. Like this. Ah, I see. And if it doesn’t fall over, then it’s ready to be put on. Wow, it’s beautiful. Oh, yes, it’s fine. Yes, this one passes. [Laughter] Yeah. I can do it. I’ll try too. Oh, wow, I did it. Yeah. They’re doing something called Notame, which is a fun, entertaining activity that brings agriculture closer to people through hands-on experiences. They apparently hold various events, like plowing the fields while playing soccer, or playing tag while plowing the fields with your knees. This was also dug up like this with a machine, so all that’s left is to collect it. Yes. This was also dug up. Yes. Later, if I had the opportunity, for example, when I was thinking about how to make something like this fun, I was doing acrobatics as a performer, so I was like , “Wow, amazing, as expected of a former performer. I still played a little bit, so can you do it one more time? I want to see it a little more. Oh, no, no, normal people definitely can’t do that. I’m going to make this a little bit more, so come and see. Look. Oh, it’s cute. Wow. Yes. [Music] Yes. For this. Thank you. Sorry. I’ll be off then. Apparently , there was a senior farmer who was the inspiration for Miya’s decision to move to Kumamoto. Wow, it looks like an amazing community. Nice to meet you. Everyone from the Nishimura family . This is Kiriyama. Nice to meet you. This family is the people I met when I stayed in Kikuchi. It’s been two days since then. They always prepare their food properly like this . They’re strong people who can survive even without electricity, or even gas. Yeah. They look strong. Really. And the whole family is naked. How long have you been living like this? I’ve been living like this for about 13 years now, living in Kumamoto, and since then, we’ve been running like a subsistence farm. Yes. They’re having chestnut rice today. Wow, wow, that’s amazing. So many chestnuts. [Music] Wow, that’s amazing. The Kikuchi region is very famous. Let’s eat. Let’s eat. [Applause] There are even foreign participants for this event. [Music] Wow, this is luxurious. Delicious . Eating meals together has become part of the music at the event. What do you think of life here in Kikuguchi? I’ve come to realise that this is the lifestyle that suits me, and it’s because I’m not alone, I’m surrounded by many friends who share the same lifestyle. Yes. If there’s something I don’t understand, I ask my friends. Ah, and actually, when you go into a village like this, it’s already an elderly population, and in the next five years, yes, two-thirds of the farmers will be gone. And if that were to happen simultaneously all over Japan, it would mean that a whole lot of people who produce food would disappear. Yeah. By combining what I’ve come up with and expressing it in a fun way, I hope people will understand that there’s a life like this too. [Music] Life with friends connected in the first place. It’s somehow warm. [Music] Wow, that’s amazing. It’s amazing. Next up is the traditional mountain dance of the elderly. Every time the Kiriyama Ren encounters the blessings of Kumamoto water. I descended the Kikugawa River basin to ask about the mountains. [Music] There’s something nice about it. Hello. Please. Welcome. Would you like miso? Miso or Hamazake. You can have some amazake, but please help yourself. Yes. Let’s eat. This is amazake made from construction work and rice we have on hand. It’s incredibly delicious. This town is on the Shiga River. Ah, Kikuguchi. Kikuguchi is the river. Rice harvested in the basin was transported by boat, so [Music] Around here there are all kinds of shops, like tsukurizakaya, rice shops, and so on. [Music] Yeah. There’s a row of rice-related items , and it shows that the old townscape still remains. Oh, I think I’ll go inside. Sorry to interrupt , but they sell amazing rice cakes. Amazing. Do you know what this is? It’s rice, and you put it in the center of this mold, put the lid on, turn it around, and then let go in a second or two and it becomes rice cake. [Music] It’s amazing, amazing. Raw rice can get old, but if you don’t add the salt, it won’t go bad. Salt doesn’t go bad even if you leave it for years. All you have to do is add it and bake it over high heat, so it used to be used for preservation. Wow. It bakes in two seconds, so I’ll give it a try. Yes. Oh, is it okay? Put it in the center. Right. Yes. Then, put the lid on. Yeah. Put the lid on. Yes. Just put it in like that. Okay. Yes. Swirl it down. Yes. 1. Yes. 12. Okay. Ah. Wow. Perfect. Open. See. Here it is. Here it is . Here it is. Can I eat it? Is it okay? It’s freshly made. Yes. I think it’s better than the one I just made. It’s warm. Mmm. So delicious. It’s so crispy it breaks easily. This is a type of sebe that’s been popular ever since the end of the war. Mmm. I wonder. A turf hut, maybe? It’s really impressive. Yachiza was built by wealthy merchants who pooled their funds together during the heyday of mountain painting. There are steps, so please be careful. Oh, I’ll interrupt. Yes, please. When you enter, the chin is very, wow, very noticeable. Yes. It’s amazing. Customers and small children are so happy to see the red one. It’s like a thousand-day inn for gods and goddesses, they’re so happy and relaxed. It certainly draws you into that world. That’s right. There are all kinds of advertisements on it. The investors who built Yachiza are the owners of the shops with these ceiling advertisements. I see. So, chandeliers were quite innovative at the time . Ah, yes. It certainly is a chandelier, isn’t it? Yes, it is. The idea of putting salt in a traditional Japanese building was quite novel. The Yachiyoza opened in 1911. It’s said that kabuki and other plays were performed there, providing entertainment for the common people. However, one of the regular performances is the co-artistic Yamaodori (Mountain Dance). The main performer is Yama no Honeshi. [Music] The sight of the women gracefully dancing with Kinro on their heads is truly fantastic. [Music] [Applause] Everyone was amazing. I’m a bit curious, but isn’t the head heavy? Shall I try holding it? It’s okay? Oh, it’s really light. 180g. Wow. Apparently, it’s made from a skewer. [Music] Today, we’re going to talk about the Yamagato Festival, which began in the late 1920s. The idea of dancing with a golden lantern on one’s head was conceived as a way to liven up the festival. [Music] The Yamagato Festival, held every year during the Obon period. [Music] The sight of women dancing with Kinro on their heads is quite wicked. [Music] Speaking of Omiya Shrine’s Sanro, the golden wisteria is a typical example, but it actually refers to a craft that has been dedicated to Omiya Shrine since the Muromachi period. [Music] Excuse me for interrupting. Oh, that’s amazing. Wow. These are all the Yamagata lanterns that were released this year. [Music] Yes. Are these made of wood too? Yes. These are Yamagata lanterns, and there are all kinds, like these ones for buildings and shrines, but they are made using only Japanese glue and by specialized craftsmen called masters . How long does it take to make one? They say the largest ones take 300 hours. 300 hours means 10 hours a day, working nonstop for a month. Currently, there are seven master craftsmen. Welcome. This is the workshop of one of them, Nakajima-san. I’m thinking we’ll start cutting out the parts now, and first, we’ll paste the blonde hair on top of the lantern. Ah, I see. The glued pieces are cut out and secured in this shape. There are about 180 parts to make a golden lantern. Why did roads start being made with wa? Long ago, Yamakawa was the only place where wa was produced. So it seems there were a lot of industries that used wa. It seems like Yamagata lanterns were made. Hmm. When I first started, I had no idea how much force to use. I would often hurt or stiffen my fingers . I see. That’s right. Yes. It was hard, though. Yes. Is that glue? Yes. This is a standard type. It’s a special glue. Now we’re going to glue this together. Yes. Apply glue like this and lightly cut only around the edges of the paper ; if it’s not neat, it will look really messy when it’s finished. Ah, I see. It takes more than 10 years to be called a full-fledged master of wa. It looks like this. Wow. It’s finished. So this is what will be placed on this part at the end. On top. That’s right. Yes. If I were to make something in the future, I’d like to try something more modern, like [music] Tokyo Tower. That’s right. Yes. Next time I go to Tokyo, I’ll take a good look around and then maybe give it a try. Yes. Please. By seeing with my own eyes and feeling with my own skin these things that have been passed down since ancient times, I feel like this trip has added another layer of color to me. It was fun. [music]
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