Key Points
- The Noto Peninsula earthquake devastated the workshops of Wajima lacquerware artisans, threatening a 600-year-old cultural heritage.
- Displaced artisans are forming cooperatives to share tools and temporary workspaces, refusing to let the craft die despite the destruction.
- Journalist Jun Hori explores the “Wajima Kobo Nagaya” project, which serves as a vital temporary hub for craftsmen to resume production.
- The recovery of the local economy and the city’s identity is deeply tied to the survival of traditional industries like lacquerware.
Full Transcript (English)
Host (Jun Hori): I am reporting from Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture. Behind me, the scars of the earthquake are still visible, especially here at the site of the morning market which was ravaged by fire. However, amidst the ruins, there is a movement to protect the soul of this city: Wajima-nuri lacquerware.
Guest (Artisan): My entire workshop was crushed. I lost tools that had been passed down through three generations. At first, looking at the rubble, I thought it was the end. I thought the history of Wajima-nuri might stop with our generation.
Host: But you didn’t give up. Tell us about this space we are in now.
Guest (Artisan): This is the ‘Kobo Nagaya.’ It is a temporary collective workshop. We realized that if we waited for individual workshops to be rebuilt, the artisans would scatter and the skills would be lost. By gathering here, we can share the few tools we rescued and support each other mentally.
Host: Wajima-nuri is famous for its durability and the many layers of lacquer applied. Is it possible to maintain that quality in a temporary facility like this?
Guest (Artisan): It is difficult. Lacquer is sensitive to temperature and dust. But we are adapting. We have to. We aren’t just making bowls; we are rebuilding our lives. When I hold a brush, I feel like I am reclaiming a piece of the life I had before the earthquake.
Host: The resilience here is incredible. However, the challenge remains significant. These artisans need more than just a temporary space; they need a long-term plan to restore the entire ecosystem of lacquer production, from the specialized wood to the unique earth used in the base layers. The spirit of Noto is strong, but it requires our continued attention and support. This is Jun Hori for 8bitNews.
