Preserving Noto's Kiriko Festival and Wajima Lacquerware Amid Post-Earthquake Recovery
In the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, residents in Ishikawa Prefecture are striving to preserve and transmit their local cultural heritage to future generations. This report highlights the intricate connection between the traditional Kiriko Festival, characterized by giant lantern parades, and the unique Noto culture of hospitality known as 'Yobare.' During these festivals, families traditionally entertain guests using prized Wajima-nuri lacquerware. However, the disaster has severely threatened these traditions, with many homes destroyed and valuable cultural assets, such as lacquered dishes, lost or damaged. The article features Junji Mae, a former mayor in Suzu City, who lost his home and its contents, illustrating the personal toll on cultural preservation. The piece emphasizes that revitalizing these deeply rooted customs is not merely about maintaining tradition but serves as a crucial driving force for community revival and emotional recovery. As part of a series on cultural properties in disaster areas, the report underscores the urgent need to adapt these age-old practices to modern times while ensuring their survival against the backdrop of reconstruction efforts in the Noto Peninsula.
Wire timeline
Preserving Noto's Kiriko Festival and Wajima Lacquerware Amid Post-Earthquake Recovery
In the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, residents in Ishikawa Prefecture are striving to preserve and transmit their local cultural heritage to future generations. This report highlights the intricate connection between the traditional Kiriko Festival, characterized by giant lantern parades, and the unique Noto culture of hospitality known as 'Yobare.' During these festivals, families traditionally entertain guests using prized Wajima-nuri lacquerware. However, the disaster has severely threatened these traditions, with many homes destroyed and valuable cultural assets, such as lacquered dishes, lost or damaged. The article features Junji Mae, a former mayor in Suzu City, who lost his home and its contents, illustrating the personal toll on cultural preservation. The piece emphasizes that revitalizing these deeply rooted customs is not merely about maintaining tradition but serves as a crucial driving force for community revival and emotional recovery. As part of a series on cultural properties in disaster areas, the report underscores the urgent need to adapt these age-old practices to modern times while ensuring their survival against the backdrop of reconstruction efforts in the Noto Peninsula.
asahi