Higashikawa Town: Minus 13 degrees
The other day, my friends Mr. and Mrs. K invited me to go to Higashikawa Town, located almost in the center of Hokkaido.
The purpose of this trip was to "gain some ideas for creating spaces for AMONG in the future."
When I said, "I want to create a space," Mr. K said, "Let's go together!" and accompanied me, and it was made possible.
It's a place I would never have visited if it weren't for that chance conversation that day.
The overwhelming winter scenery we encountered in Higashikawa Town was accompanied by the crisp, minus 13 degree air.
What left an even more vivid impression on me were the people who lived there.
Actually, this trip to Higashikawa Town was originally planned for September last year.
It was supposed to be a trip for four people: Mr. and Mrs. K, my husband, and me.
However, on the day of departure, Tokyo was hit by a record-breaking downpour.
When we arrived at the airport, the flight was delayed, then delayed again, and then unexpectedly canceled.
I was unable to get an alternative flight and ended up returning home at 1:30am with all my luggage.
I feel so helpless...! Ding!
By the way Mr. and Mrs. K's flight was the next day, so they were able to enjoy Higashikawa Town without any problems.
"I'll definitely get revenge! I might as well try a winter I've never experienced before!"
Although I heard that a severe cold wave was coming, I thought, "This time for sure!"
I made sure to pack warm innerwear and hand warmers.
When we arrived, everything was white. It was like a different world.
And... it's cold!!
First, head to School for Life Compass .
It's a place like this.
Wow, how amazing!!
Compath is a place based on the concept of being a learning facility for adults where they can step away from their busy everyday lives and take the time to think deeply about their own questions.
It was created as a place to reexamine one's own life and how one relates to society.
The founders are Kaoru-chan and Saki-chan.
The two were fascinated by the folk high school "Folkehojskole" that has been in existence in Denmark for 180 years,
Furthermore, this place was born from an encounter with Higashikawa, a small town located in the center of Hokkaido.
We visited while they were preparing for the program that was to begin the next day.
The spacious kitchen has space for workshops and training.
The second floor also has a workspace and accommodation space.
Wow! I can't believe there's a place like this...
Outside it's minus 13 degrees.
However, the room was warm and cozy thanks to the fire in the fireplace, and the air was gentle.
Ah, I felt that this warmth must be the essence of the time I spend here.
We stayed at Hyakutowa , the house where Kaoru-chan and Keisuke-san live.
"So that the scenery of Higashikawa Town will continue for the next 100 years"
This home was born from the couple's desire to preserve the landscape of this region for many years to come.
A place to "live together" with people who share the same vision, beyond the unit of family.
It consists of two buildings and is designed to accommodate a family and up to four friends.
That's nice...
When I say "living together," I don't mean a shared house or an Airbnb.
Sometimes I want to be alone, and sometimes I want to eat with someone.
Is this what happens when you put that honesty into words?
The couple's lives and the presence of visitors gradually connect and separate as the space develops.
The wishes and prayers contained in Hyakutowa, and the "I wish it were like this" of everyday life.
It's about carefully picking up both of these elements and giving them shape.
While writing this article,
I feel like I'm confirming the true nature of the "Ahhh" I felt at that moment.
In the evening we all enjoyed Genghis Khan (no photos!) and Toshinobu's home-cooked meal!
It was delicious!
The next day, we went to the studio of Kita no Jyutaku Sekkeisha.
The school building of the closed Higashikawa Fifth Elementary School is used as a workshop.
A warehouse where wood is dried. It's impressive. All the wood is solid wood from Hokkaido.
They are rotated over the course of two to three years (even the position of the blocks sandwiched between the pieces of wood is changed!) and allowed to dry in the air.
The leather is then placed in a huge drying chamber where it is thoroughly dried for several dozen days.
Apparently, furniture is not made through a division of labor, but rather by one craftsman who makes everything from start to finish.
The finished product will be marked with the name of the craftsman.
I feel dizzy at the long, long road to completion.
↑It's amazing that there is absolutely no wood chips lying around in the workshop.
The outing shoulder bag (Ine: "Delicious!") was very useful again this time.
We were given a tour of the workshop for about an hour.
The ingenuity, trial and error, and company philosophy that lie hidden in the unseen. That unique light that resides in things that are filled with the breath of the people involved.
That feeling that makes you feel like "that restaurant must be delicious" even from afar.
It was a journey that brought me closer to that secret.
I hope I can also create and deliver things that are filled with that same light.
This one-seater sofa is amazing! I want it!
Kaoru-chan, Keisuke-san, Mr. and Mrs. K, who took care of us, and me and Shopee.
Looking back, I think that it is precisely because of the 'inconveniences' of being cold or having snow that we need to be creative in simply living our lives, like lighting a fire in the fireplace or working together to help each other.
I thought it was a form of abundance.
This trip allowed me to see firsthand that the desire and desire to create a certain kind of place can actually create that kind of place!
I felt like I received hints and encouragement to help me realize my dreams.
Thank you very much for this opportunity! (Kurisawa)
....
February POPUPSHOP Announcement
●《 Hayama_ Marche de Hayama 》
2/13 (Fri) ~ 2/14 (Sat) 10:00-17:00
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2/16 (Mon) - 2/20 (Fri) 11:00-19:00
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