[Akeya] Lecture Program: “Workshop on Developing Mountain-Based Livelihoods”

Events

[Akeya] Lecture Program: “Workshop on Developing Mountain-Based Livelihoods”

Summary

Talk

At Akayama, we have been hosting symposiums and workshops featuring various experts and artists as part of our mission to serve as “a new school where people can learn from the mountains the skills necessary for life.” For this event, we are inviting Naraiwa Maker Hiroshi Ito to lead a workshop where we will explore the concept of “Naraiwa” (livelihoods) in the mountains.

Traveling around the world, Mr. Ito defines “nariwai” as “work that serves as play in and of itself for individuals or collectives, while also strengthening the foundations of their lives, minds, and bodies.” He has been devising and practicing contemporary forms of nariwai, and through fieldwork, has explored the contemporary relevance of traditional and practical knowledge. Drawing on this experience, Mr. Ito will give a lecture on the concept of nariwai, and then we’ll all work together to explore what nariwai might look like in Akiyamago!

▼Symposium Program
Part 1: Lecture on the Concept of “Nariwai” by Hiroshi Ito
Part 2: Workshop on Devising “Nariwai” in the Mountains

[Speakers] Hiroshi Ito (Nariwai Maker), Fukasawa Takafumi (Director, Akeyama)

Hiroshi Ito
A “Nariwai Maker” and graduate of the Master’s Program in Forest Science at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Agriculture. He defines “Nariwai” as work that is inherently enjoyable and strengthens both the foundations of daily life and the mind and body. While devising and practicing contemporary forms of livelihood, he also conducts fieldwork on traditional and practical knowledge spanning urban and rural areas in Mongolia, Japan, and Thailand, and collaborates with anthropologists to research the potential of Nariwai.His primary livelihoods include training journeys in Mongolia and Thailand, seasonal farming, serving as chairman of the National Floor-Laying Association, and managing an artist-in-residence program with a retail space. Major publications include *Creating Nariwai* and *Creating Idokoro* (both published by Tokyo Shoseki).

Fukasawa Takafumi
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1984; currently resides in Hokkaido. He carries out projects in various regions, establishing and putting into practice alternative philosophies for coexistence in different settings. At the 2015 Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, he conducted a lifestyle survey by staying in various private homes in Echigo-Tsumari through homestays, and opened the “Echigo-Tsumari Folk Homestay Museum,” which showcases the findings of this research. In 2022, he began conducting research in Akiyamago.

▽ Symposium Overview

Date and Time｜Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location｜Akeya—Akiyama-go Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School—
Time｜1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Cost｜1,000 yen + admission fee (Adults: 800 yen / Elementary and Middle School Students: 400 yen)

▼Facility Information

Akeya – Akiyama-go Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School –
Dates: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 18 (Sat) to November 8 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults 800 yen, Elementary and Middle School Students 400 yen *Fee may be included in the ETAT Passport or Common Ticket, depending on the period.

Photo by Kanemoto Rintaro

Inoue Yui ≪Mountains are where it all begins≫

Photo by Kanemoto Rintaro

Booking On-line

Summary

Date and time	Saturday, October 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Venue	Akeyama – Akiyama-go Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School –
Admission	1,000 yen + admission fee (800 yen for Adults / 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students) *Please pay in cash on site.

Related Information

Akeyama Arts Center

In Akiyamago, once designated as an area exempt from compulsory education, a closed school building from 2022 will open in 2024 as "a new school for learning the skills necessary for human survival from the mountains." It is a continuous space and project for exploring, learning, and sharing the wisdom and techniques for survival cultivated in Akiyamago, together with artists, residents, and researchers.

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