
Travelling through the culture of YUKIGUNI
Let’s take a trip to this pure white world where white snow lies in thick layers.
Let’s take a trip to this pure white world where white snow lies in thick layers.
A culture that has lasted for 10,000 years, unparalleled in world history. Living in harmony with nature. Villages arranged in a circle so that they can see each other, which develops the connections of people. Plenty of time because we are buried in snow in winter. Something that has been left behind in modern times is there. Something fundamental. Jomon asks us “What is richness?”
Scattered across the Snow Country are fabric production areas. These fabrics have, since ancient times, had a deep connection with the climate, nature and the every-day life of the people of the Snow Country. We visited local people involved in the production of these fabrics.
Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we turn into our natural selves that we are supposed to be.
What did the great writers who visited the Snow Country think about and how did they feel?
Many people who come to the “Snow Country” for skiing or snowboarding probably only remember places like the ski resort or the train station. And that’s a real shame!
This snow-covered world probably enveloped the Jomon people in the same way. Let’s close our eyes and, with our senses sharpened, cast out minds back to a time 10,000 years ago. Within the culture we have inherited, there is much hidden wisdom. By discovering this wisdom bit by bit, we may discover stepping stones towards reevaluating our modern society.
“Hyakuhatto, Hyakuhatto, one hundred rice is ittogosho, Jumonshu is 16 cups, 16 cups.”
For an ethnic group, language is a collection of nature, climate, history, and culture that surround this ethnic group. It is natural for us who live in the Snow Country to use many words and expressions to express “snow”.