A new school for learning the skills necessary for human survival from the mountains

In Akiyamago, once designated as an area exempt from compulsory education, the Oakasawa Elementary School was established as a private school in 1924, responding to the community’s desire to somehow provide education for the children. It served as a place for general education through the years, but after the last student graduated in 2011, it closed temporarily and was officially shut down in 2021.In 2024, the abandoned school reopened as “Akeyama Arts Center,” a new school “to learn the skills necessary for human survival from the mountains.” This is an ongoing space and project to explore and learn the survival wisdom and techniques cultivated in Akiyamago alongside artists, residents, and researchers, displaying and sharing the materials and outcomes discovered during this process.Under the supervision of writer Fukasawa Takafumi, each artist conducted thorough research into the customs and culture of Akiyamago to create their artworks. Furthermore, architect Sato Kengo joined the team for the venue design of the former gymnasium on the second floor, concretizing each exhibition booth itself as an artwork. To ensure it remains a place of continuous learning, various workshops and talk events will be held during its opening period.
Supervision: Fukasawa Takafumi
Venue Design: Korogaro Association / Sato Kengo

Permanent Exhibition artworks and artists

■A place to pass down the fundamental life skills for survival passed down in Akiyama

■A Learning Space in Constant Motion

■Preserving Mountain Materials and Techniques

■The Untold Stories Inherent Between the Matagi Hunters and the Flora and Fauna

■Considering Future Care Approaches Through Local Beliefs and Customs

■Artworks Using Trees from Echigo-Tsumari

■The Mountain as a Collective of Trees: Depicting the Trees of Akiyamago as Artistic Materials

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Past events and workshops

■Symposium, Talk

2024
● Tim Ingold (Social Anthropologist) Lecture: “Akiyamago in the World”
● Satoshi Shiramizu (Japanese History Scholar) Talk Session: “Discussing Akiyama’s Future”

■Workshop

2024
● Inoue Yui: Yamanokuchi Club
Inoue Yui’s project “Yamanokuchi Club” involves gathering and utilizing natural mountain materials long cherished in Akiyamago, conducting various activities to promote the REBIRTH of local customs. Interested individuals can register as club members and apply for activities that interest them.
● Uchida Seira: “Mini Kamagami-sama Making””Akiyama Faith Experience”
● Kengo Sato “Walking and Measuring Akiyamago”
● Nagasawa Aoi “Tales from the Mountain Womb”
● Fukasawa Takafumi “Harvesting Rice in the Abandoned Village of Amazake Village”

2025
● Inoue Yui, Yamanokuchi Club
Continuation of the “Yamanokuchi Club” activities from 2024.Members connected through these activities are forming a loose community, sharing wisdom about mountain living. Main activities for 2025 include “Making Thread from Grass,” “Angin Making,” “Eating Horse Chestnuts,” and more.
● Fukasawa Takafumi “Let’s Make Snow Shoes from Akiyamago’s Kuromoji!” “Let’s Make Wadara for Wadara Hunting!”