Yunokuni no Mori, the forest of Kaga arts ゆのくにの森
- Published on : 27/01/2020
- by : Ph.L
- Youtube
A village of craftsmen in the middle of the forest!
Located in Kaga in Ishikawa prefecture, Yunokuni no Mori is a somewhat special forest. Between its trees and its landscaped gardens, there are in reality a dozen traditional houses highlighting the crafts of the region. A 100-hectare micro-village that revisits the concept of a walk in the forest.
A region bathed in crafts
Recognized as one of the cradles of Japanese crafts, Ishikawa Prefecture is famous for its many traditional arts. Ceramics , glass working , lacquer , manufacturing washi paper (traditional Japanese paper), or even making gold leaf , the region has developed since Edo (1603-1868) around the city of Kanazawa , a major cultural crossroads of the time.
To read: Urushi, Japanese lacquer
Kanazawa
Taking advantage of the dynamism of this big city, its neighbor, little Kaga , had the idea of concentrating all its knowledge in one and the same place. This is how Yunokuni no Mori was born , a village of a dozen small traditional houses built inside a natural forest of 100 hectares.
Entirely dedicated to local crafts, c ach maisonn ette contains a workshop that walkers can visit at leisure to discover the secrets of these multi-old arts.
A good way to combine a forest walk and cultural activity since it is also possible to participate in the activities presented for just under 1,100 yen (8.48 euros).
See also: 5 typical objects of Japanese crafts
Original workshops
In addition to some traditional Japanese arts well known as the tea ceremony , the calligraphy , or the work of glass and ceramics, Kaga forest presents original activities, typical of the region Chûbu:
- T he s making s gold leaf: expertise emblematic of the city of Kanazawa, manufacturing gold leaf has boosted trade in the region for centuries. Even today, Ishikawa prefecture is responsible for 99% of the production of gold leaf in Japan.
- The work of the aque: Japanese lacquer is known around the world. Coming from ancestral know-how, the lacquer work requires extreme thoroughness and precision. In the small lacquerer's workshop of Yunokuni no Mori , some objects required more than a year of work to be made!
Le travail de la laque à Yunokuni no Mori
yunikuni.jp
- The manufacture of s music boxes: once prized by the nobility and the bourgeoisie, the music boxes are popular in J apan for centuries. At Yunokuni no Mori , discover the secrets of making these small wooden boxes.
- The preparation of soba : soba are buckwheat noodles much appreciated by the Japanese since the Kamakura era (1185-1333). Emblematic of Japanese cuisine, they are handmade by mixing buckwheat flour with water. For the rest of the recipe, we invite you to discover it in the Kaga forest.
- The silk einture p: used in the art of kimono silk painting is an artistic discipline that requires great dexterity. Unmissable in the Chûbu region, it has enabled Kanazawa weavers to compete with the biggest couturiers in Kyoto when it comes to making traditional clothes .
Fun and interesting, these workshops are a good way to approach the local traditional culture from a new angle.
To go further: Kanazawa Museum of Traditional Crafts
A natural forest
The Kaga forest is a pretty site of 100 hectares of greenery where trees , flowers and small lakes decorate the edges of the craft village. I ideal combo for forest walks, Yunokuni no Mori is also a good place for relaxation and contemplation.
Indeed, several gardens have been laid out there for the delight of flower lovers. From the garden of wild plants to the lake with water lilies, the forest is in bloom all year round. And you can also come here to admire the cherry trees in the spring and the blushing maple leaves in the fall.
Also note that several restaurants and tea houses await walkers between two workshop visits. These latter overlooking splendid Zen gardens , walks in the forest have never been so pleasant!
