Learn about life skills while appreciating artworks in the unexplored region of Akiyamago, the collective name for 12 villages scattered in the mountains of Niigata and Nagano prefectures. The Akeyama project 《Mountains are where it all begins》 by Inoue Yui involves various activities to collect and utilise natural materials from the mountains, which have been popular in Akiyamago for a long time, and to revive customs and practices. We are now recruiting members for the Yamanokuchi Club, who can join us in these activities. Please feel free to join us. *The Events without a location listed will be held in Akeyama Arts Center.

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Angin making (5 sessions)

Angin is a cloth used for bags and rugs, which is spun using wild plants such as akaso and karamushi. In a series of five workshops, participants will learn the traditional techniques of Akiyamago, from gathering the materials to spinning the yarn. All workshops are free of charge.

(1) Collecting akaso
Date & Time: Sunday, 28 July, 10:00-16:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservation: Advance booking required / capacity of 5 people

(2) Collecting and extracting fibres from the Karamushi
Date & Time: Sunday, 25 August, 10:00-12:00 / Saturday, 31 August, 10:00-16:00
Venue: Katakuri House (450-1, Ketto, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture)
Reservation: Advance booking required / capacity of 5 people

(3) Striking the fibres of the akaso plant
Date & time: Sunday, 1 September, 10:00-12:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservations: Not required.

(4) Making warp threads from the fibres of the Japanese lambsquarters
Date & Time: Sunday, 22 September, 10:00-12:00 / Thuesday, 26 September, 10:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservations: Not required.

5) Making weft yarn with Akaso fibres
Date & Time: Sunday,20 October, 10:00-12:00 / Thursday, 24 October, 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00 / Friday, 25 October 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservations: Not required.

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Wanderung: Searching for scents in Mikura.

Local masters are invited to walk around the Mikura mountains in search of scents. This is the season for the fragrance of the large laurel tree and the mountain scenery is redolent with autumn leaves.

Date & Time: Sunday, 21 September, 13:00-15:00
Venue: Mikura Village
Reservations: Advance booking required / capacity of 15 people
*Cancelled in case of rain

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Let's go exploring and collecting plants & trees.

With a local expert as a guide, everyone observes the mountain plants and trees of Oakasawa. We will collect plants and trees that have been utilised in the area, such as carex multifolia called  “hilolo,” Arachniodes standishii and vines (akebi and mountain grape).

Date & Time: Monday, 23 September, 13:00-16:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservations: Advance booking required / capacity of 10 people

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Making "kozawashi" from horse chestnut

Let’s make and eat “kozawashi,” which is said to be whiter than snow, now a mirage. Let’s eat powdered food made from horse chestnuts picked up in the mountains. We are also looking for horse chestnut as an ingredient!

Date & Time: 27, 28 and 29, September, 10:00-16:00
Venue: Akeyama Arts Center (154 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan-cho, Naka-uonuma-gun, Niigata prefecture)
Reservations: Not required.