Relay Talk
KUWAHARA Yuzuki (3rd year student of Faculty of Economics, Kagawa University)
KAGAWA’S HERITAGE TO BE PROUD OF
What comes to mind when you hear about Kagawa Prefecture? I was born in Kagawa Prefecture and grew up in an environment closely related to Kagawa traditions. When I was a child, I used to hand-knead udon noodles at a community center or make marugame uchiwa fans during summer holidays.
Currently, I lead the Bonsai☆Girls Project aimed at promoting the charm of Takamatsu bonsai.
Takamatsu bonsai, a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture, holds about 80% of the national market of pine tree bonsai. Takamatsu bonsai has a long history; its origins are said to trace back to the Edo period about 200 years ago. One of the factors that has made Takamatsu City a famous production area of bonsai is the rich natural environment of the Setouchi area with its light rainfall and mild climate. In addition, bonsai has been booming overseas in recent years as part of the Cool Japan brand.
Takamatsu bonsai, a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture, holds about 80% of the national market of pine tree bonsai. Takamatsu bonsai has a long history; its origins are said to trace back to the Edo period about 200 years ago. One of the factors that has made Takamatsu City a famous production area of bonsai is the rich natural environment of the Setouchi area with its light rainfall and mild climate. In addition, bonsai has been booming overseas in recent years as part of the Cool Japan brand.
On the other hand, awareness of Takamatsu bonsai among younger generations is low, and as a result, the lack of successors is a problem. I think this is because bonsai is considered by people as “an adult man’s hobby that takes time and money.” To change this public image, our group of female college students launched the Bonsai☆Girls Project in 2012, aiming at a wider adoption of Takamatsu bonsai. We aspire to be a bridge between professional bonsai artists and beginners interested in bonsai.
Our main activities are to arrange bonsai classes and hands-on workshops for making kokedama moss balls, as well as to transmit information via free newspapers, etc. In the hands-on workshops, we make kokedama moss balls using knowledge and skills acquired in bonsai classes.
We also write articles about people, things, and places related to bonsai. Our free newspapers are distributed at interview venues, Kinashi Bonsai no Sato (bonsai village), facilities around the university, and other locations. We are particular about design and layout to attract women and younger people. In addition, we are engaged in promoting Takamatsu bonsai via social networks and other channels.
We also write articles about people, things, and places related to bonsai. Our free newspapers are distributed at interview venues, Kinashi Bonsai no Sato (bonsai village), facilities around the university, and other locations. We are particular about design and layout to attract women and younger people. In addition, we are engaged in promoting Takamatsu bonsai via social networks and other channels.
While promoting Takamatsu bonsai through these project activities, I myself happen to reveal a new charm of the local area. Even familiar things from everyday life look different when you learn about the local nature and people.
We aim to promote the charm of bonsai from a new perspective, special to female college students, while valuing communication with the local people. I want as many young people as possible to know Kagawa’s heritage as something to be proud of.