Hands-on Experience in Japanese Traditional Techniques

Try your hand at forging and carpentry with craftsmen in Kawagoe

The historic cityscape of Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, where a large number of traditional shops stand in a row, has been beautifully preserved to this day.
These old architectural structures have been repaired time and time again to preserve their appearance.
To maintain these old buildings, time-honored traditional skills and expertise are essential.
What has preserved the cityscape of Kawagoe are “the will of the city’s residents to preserve them” and the skilled techniques of craftsmen who underpin it.
In Kawagoe, there are still a large number of craftsmen who perform a wide variety of jobs in a traditional fashion.
This time around, you will have an opportunity to try your hand at forging or sawing under the guidance of Mr. Mamoru Ito, a blacksmith.

■Forging work
(More than the primary schoolchild upper grades/ Number of participants:first arrival 20 persons /to be cancelled in case of inclement weather)
Using shichirin (clay charcoal stove), you will forge small articles, such as wakugi (Japanese traditional nail) or a paper knife.

■Sawing work
(More than the primary schoolchild / Number of participants:first arrival 60 persons/schedule not affected by weather)
Using a Japanese traditional cross-cut saw, you will experience log sawing in pairs.
In addition, you will make a simple bench as well.

Date :Sunday, November 9
Time :10:00 ~ 15:00
Place :Orimono ichiba (former textile wholesale market) [mapC3]

●The handbill clicks here.

◇On the same day, a variety of events for Earth Day in Kawagoe Tatsumonzen will also be held.
Earth day is a day held throughout the world where people think about environmental problems, protect the irreplaceable earth's environment through exchange, and join together for events for the purpose of building a safe and peaceful world.
This is the 10th year of it in Kawagoe.
The theme in Kawagoe this year is "the 'ring' connecting the past and the future".
The sites are Renkei-ji, Kumano Shrine, Tsurukawaza, a textile marketplace and the Tatsumonzen street.
Various groups who support the principles of Earth Day are planning exhibitions.

▼ For inquiries：
Please contact Koedo-Kawagoe Tourist Association.
Please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Fax（049-227-8236）the following information;
Your name, age, nationality and contact (e-mail or fax).