Hokkaido

Okay, a short one because I'm quite busy. It's been way too long and a lot has happened so I want to tell you about what happened though ;)

First of all, last weekend. Friday early morning I took the train and bus to Osaka airport to fly to Sapporo, the northern island of Japan. My goal was a small village called Nibutani, deep in the mountains, famous for the works and museum of the Ainu culture. First of all, a bus to a village half an hour away from the airport. From there, one bus a day went to Nibutani and further that way... Missing the bus would be problem, but I had a few hours to spare, so I ate lunch and wandered around the unknown town that had turned into a snowscape. The bus took a few hours as well to Nibutani. To my surprise, the owner of the guesthouse guessed I would be coming by bus and was waiting to pick me up with his car. There was only one other visitor in the guesthouse and the streets were pretty much deserted. Because yeah, what complete idiot would go to the middle of nowhere in the winter, when in freezing cold, while the shops are open in summer and people are around...

Well, the winter scenery was something special to see though and I really enjoyed. I had made an appointment with a craftsman earlier for an interview (Kaizawa Mamoru), which went pretty well. Beautiful works, but the crafsplace was a bit small, so we went to a building that is used as a meeting place and for workshops, with an area with big woodcraft machines for craftsmen as well. Coincidentally, I found out there was an opportunity to do a small workshop to make a wooden necklace. Well, now I'm here as anyway, I might as well take the opportunity and give it a go. I was the only student anyway that day, because, you know, who would ever go to a place like that in the middle of the winter. After the interview I went to the craftscenter first, which was recommended by the man I interviewed. Works of several craftsman displayed, for sale as well, and there was a woman working on traditional Ainu clothing. Bought a few souvenirs, had a nice chat and went to the workshop. Short, but nice. Rather than the workshop itself, talking to a woman working on weaving and receiving an explaination about Ainu works was even more interesting.

The museum was pretty cool as well, as the creators had done a really good job to exhibit such a wide range of works and ways to explain about them. It was a great study to walk around there for a few hours.

But what particularly stayed with me was after that, when I peeked inside another craftsplace that looked interesting. Well, I knew quite a number of craftsmen and woman were inside the area. But I had made an appointment to visit only one, and as interviewing someone means stealing away working hours as well, I wasn't expecting to get information handed away that easily. However, I was kind of curious as around six people were sitting together there inside, like having a meeting. Well, the other end kind of looked like a shop, so it should be fine to walk inside I figured. Which it was, but not even after a minute a woman showed me inside the room where everyone was sitting so I could join them. So, I had a really good for a few hours with a woodcraftsman (Kaizawa Toru, his skill was absolutely awesome) and some of his acqaintances left eventually before the only restaurant in town would close at 19.00...

Having had a really good meal, I went home to correct my notes from single words to complete sentences, figuring there was plenty of time for that now. However, not even after an hour the other visitor of the guest house (who came to learn the weaving technique of the Ainu one day a month) came in and told me I was invited to eat dinner with the rest. Because eating alone could be a bit lonely perhaps. The craftsman, family and some acquaintances were sitting around a long table in a relatively small, simple room, with way too much food. Adults eating and talking, kids playing games and I was happily invited in, with a certain curiousity for the parculiar looking foreigner speaking Japanese fluently. After enjoying some conversation and food, I showed some of my works on my phone. They were impressed and wanted to see me drawing live. Sure. A picture of a dog of a woman there, a small notebook and I had my trusted pencil and eraser in my pocket. After around half an hour I was done and the little girl behind me was taping all the time while the other came peeking regularly. A great succes, so I got asked to draw the man who's birthday it was as well. Of course, sounds like fun!
So, I ended up drawing most of the time there while talking, having a great time with people that I met for the first time again.

Coming to the guest house, there was this wall decorated with sheets with little notes and illustrations of guests. Well, since the owner was so nice to give me and go to the supermarket to buy breakfast for me, I want to do something in return as well. Second, I have to admit, I wanted to have the best drawing of the wall, so I spend a few hours again to draw my necklace on a pillow with Ainu patterns. By that time, it was already midnight and the barking and howling of wolves was hearable quite clearly for a while.

The next morning-... wow, this has nothing to do with a small update anymore, does it... -.-
The next morning, I went back to Sapporo. As busses went surprisingly smooth and the flight would leave at 21.00, I took an afternoon to walk around Sapporo as well. Coincidentally, I ran into an market of craftsman (special event for a week) and a illumination event before Christmas, where the park was full of beautifully designed light structures.

Okay, that's it for now. Did some other things as well, but this trip has been by far the most memorable. Will keep you updated about exhibitions, as I'll be exhibiting my project in the Netherlands as well!