From Doll Displays to Irori Hearths: Discovering the Seseragiya Crafts Museum
Location: Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Pref., Japan
Timestamp: 11:37・2024/03/20
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
28 mm ISO 100 for 2.0 sec. at ƒ/11
Exploring the Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba open-air museum is like stepping back into a time of traditional Japanese culture.
One of restored thatched roof buildings, Seseragiya (せせらぎ屋), not only showcases traditional Japanese handicrafts but also serves as a hub for workshops where visitors, including local school children, can learn the art of crafting traditional toys from wood or bamboo.
From the melodies of a Japanese warbler whistle (うぐいす笛) to the charm of a cicada spinner whistle (ブンブンセミ), Seseragiya offers a hands-on experience to learn some of the craftsmanship of toys of yesteryears.
In the attached photo, the enchanting Hina-matsuri display steals the show, commemorating the health and happiness of young girls and women during for the Girl’s Day holiday.
Modeled after a Heian Period (794 to 1185) wedding, the display features meticulously arranged tiers, with the Emperor and Empress gracing the uppermost tier, surrounded by court attendants and musicians adorned in traditional attire.
The intricate details of the dolls and tiers can vary widely, from simple folded paper figurines to exquisitely carved three-dimensional masterpieces, depending on one’s budget—unless one is fortunate enough to inherit an exquisite family heirloom from parents or grandparents.
In this shot, we can also see a traditional cast iron kettle hanging from a pothook over a sunken hearth. In a traditional house, the hearth (irori) was used to provide heat, light, and in many cases a place for cooking with the use of a tripod, or suspended from the beams above using a pothook.
Depending on one’s social status, the design of the irori varied significantly. For those of lower classes, an irori might have been a simple pit dug directly into the dirt floor, partially filled with sand and ash, and edged with stones or timber. Conversely, higher-class households boasted irori constructed around a raised floor, adorned with edging crafted from wood, metal, or occasionally stone.
Among the lower classes, the irony served as the focal point of everyday life, where meals were shared and informal visitors entertained. In contrast, upper-class households might have boasted multiple irori, including some in kitchens or tea houses attached to the main residence.
Whether marveling at the elegance of Heian Period dolls or relaxing to the rustic charm of a traditional hearth, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba allows you to immerse yourself in a few of the timeless traditions of Japan's cultural heritage.
Terms:
- ブンブンセミ (bunbun-semi): Cicada spinner whistle
- うぐいす笛 (uguisu-fue): Japanese warbler whistle
- 雛祭り (Hinamatsuri): Doll's Day or Girls' Day
- 鉄瓶 (tetsubin): Japanese cast iron kettle
- 囲炉裏, 居炉裏 (irori): a traditional Japanese sunken hearth fired with charcoal
- 自在鉤 (jizaikagi): pothook—an iron rod within a bamboo tube – used for raising or lowering a suspended pot or kettle by means of an attached lever which is often decoratively designed in the shape of a fish.
References:
- Google Maps: Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba (Traditional Japanese Village・西湖いやしの里根場)
- Google Maps: Seseragi-ya Handicraft Museum・せせらぎ屋
- Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba: Seseragiya Handicraft Museum (English)
- Wikipedia: Doll Festival (English)
- Fujikawaguchiko Village Bulletin (Japanese)
- Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System: Irori (English)
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