"Ifu-on" is a keyword for symbiosis and creativity passed down through the generations.

Experience the “Satoyama” (is a Japanese term applied to the border zone or area between mountain foothills and flat land used for agriculture) essence and express it with bamboo and wildflowers.

◆IKEBANA＋ZEN – Deep learning and discovery through a stay-based tour

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The keywords for the to help sustaining future of the earth through symbiosis and creation are quietly passed down among the people living in Echizen's “Satoyama”.

The keywords are "reverence" (ifu, 畏怖) and "gratitude" (on, 恩) = ifu-on.

“Ex SATOYAMA Co., Ltd.” collaborates with the Sogetsu- ryu Ikebana School "Sogetsu Pottery Studio". We have developed the concept experience that expresses the world view of ifu-on using bamboo and wildflowers while exploring “Satoyama”.

This experience is a tour package for travelers.

We have also prepared a custom-made tour called "Quiet Echizen" that express the essence of ifu-on, allowing you to deeply experience the Japanese spiritual culture that lives in Echizen, along with “Zen”, symbolized by Eiheiji Temple, head temple of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism, while also enjoying sake breweries, hot springs, kaiseki cuisine, and more.

We have started selling this tour through affiliated travel agencies.

 

――― About the “ifu-on” experience  ―――

The main part of the experience is creating an Ikebana composition using bamboo and wildflowers that grow in “Satoyama” areas.

By entering the normally inaccessible forest in “Satoyama” and by blending into the that lifestyle, you will be able to experience the reverence of nature and gratitude (ifu-on) for its blessings that reside in the everyday life’s of the people of “Satoyama”.

We will be expressing this together with the staff of "Sogetsu Pottery Studio".

The video at the beginning and the images below shows a model initiative that was carried out at “Sen'o-ji”, a Jodo Shinshu School Buddhist temple in Anyoji town, Echizen City, with special cooperation from the local community.

The setting for the experience we will guide you through is the “Satoyama” area of Echizen town, where the pottery studio is located.

There is same as Anyoji town, the pottery studio is in the cultural area of interest of “Satoyama”.

This is a place where you can meet at the same time the traditional craftsmanship of “Echizen ware” (Echizen Yaki) as well as the beauty of the pristine scenery of “satoyama”.

Also known as the Shinshu Buddhism Kingdom, this region has a unique religious outlook.

A unique spiritual climate that incorporates the ancient view of nature, symbolized by the eight million gods, is still alive today.

The next pictures show works of Art in the pottery studio garden, immersed in the colors of the four seasons. These were created by previous headmasters of the Sogetsu- ryu Ikebana School.

The headmasters used their free-spirited imagination, stimulated by the energy they sensed from the nature and culture of this region into their creations.

One of them was the founder of the pottery studio, the third-generation head of the school, Hiroshi Teshigawara (1927-2001), who was also known as a film director.

Studio staff member Mitsukoshi Kishimoto looks back on his teacher as follows:

"He hated imitating nature, but he had a tremendous sense of reverence for the power of nature that motivated him. He didn't just focus on shapes; he was led to his own work by the shapes made by the plants created and empowered by the Earth. "

(See the video at the beginning of the page)

The Sogetsu- ryu Ikebana School is known for its splendid works using bamboo.

Bamboo, the symbol of the school, is abundant in the woods of the local “Satoyama”, and the area is famous nationwide for its bamboo shoot (Takenoko) production. There are also many beautifully maintained forests.

This experience will guide you through the forest shown in the image below. Once you step inside it, you will feel the explosion of the energy of nature and of your creativity.

In a booklet published by the former Miyazaki Village, the headmaster Hiroshi wrote:

“The four seasons that come and go here are not simply nature; they are wonderful, living nature that always brings me awareness of my connection as a human being.

The scenery of the gentle hills and the ever-changing dynamic sky that unfold far beyond the rice paddies shakes my heart and moves me like a great work of Art."

This scenery has attracted the attention of masters of avant-garde Art.

In this experience, we will discover the power of nature that the master sought while exploring the nature of “Satoyama”.

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One of the destinations will be “Kokumadan”.

Located to the west of the pottery studio, at the foot of Mount Kuriya-Jyozan, about 600 meters above sea level, standing tall on the Echizen coastline, this is an area where you can experience the rich nature of the “Satoyama”.

On the slope in the forest, there are many linear depressions carved into the ground, each ranging from several meters to over 10 meters in length.

These are the remains of anagama kilns built by Echizen ware potters in the Middle Ages.

The ground surface, with an open gaping smoke hole, remains unchanged since the Middle Ages.

On the ground surface, an oak forest shines during all the four seasons.

The forest's appearance, which has remained unchanged since ancient times, has been selected as one of the cultural assets that make up “Echizen Ware, one of the six ancient kilns of Japan”, a Japan Heritage site.

The experience will also include an interaction with Tetsuji Nishino, a senior citizen who is proud of the work of his ancestors in this area and devotedly dedicated to the care of the forest.

The rice fields stretch out in long, narrow tiers, surrounded by the trees tended by "Forest Master" Nishino. And in autumn they are covered in golden ears of rice.

Rice, the staple food of Japanese people.

Small dragonflies, which are considered endangered species, flap their wings by the water's edge in the forest that Mr. Nishino protects.

In this area, thanks to the efforts of farmers who cultivate rice naturally and with reduced use of pesticides, the clear water from the mountains is kept clean and healthy for the small animals.

On this hill near the water, Mr. Nishino is cultivating young trees that have grown from acorns found in the ancient kiln forest.

This is the exact symbol of symbiosis.

We will provide each family or group participating in the experience with one of the 20 available young trees. We will cut an old oak tree in the ancient kiln forest, and we will plant young ones.

By doing this, the “Satoyama” forests will bear again with healthy young trees. In other words, this will regenerate the forest cycle.

You can surely feel the reverence (ifu) and gratitude (on) that lives in this land in Mr. Nishino's actions and words.

And further, the energy of creativity…

In this way, while immersing yourself in the pure nature and lifestyle of the “Satoyama”, you will work with Mrs.Kishimoto and the staff of “Sogetsu Pottery Studio” to create works that embody your personal vision.

Based on the "power" you gained in the “Satoyama”, you will draw your design while cutting the bamboo and assembling it in the pottery studio.

Your finished creation will be displayed in a space that embodies "On" (gratitude).

The dates and content (detailed structure) of the experience will be adjusted at the time of application.

We also recommend the following tour plan that combines with “Zen”.

 

――――― Tailor-made tour ≪Quiet Echizen≫―――――

By combining “ifu-on” creations with Zen, we have also prepared a custom-made trip that allows you to experience the Japanese spiritual climate of Echizen on a deeper level.

The name of the tour is 「Quiet Echizen」。

The setting is Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture, in the middle of the mountains.

“Kippoji” (吉峰寺 ) temple is where Zen Master Dogen first trained after moving here from Kyoto in the 13th century, and where he built the foundation for the founding of Eiheiji, the head temple of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism.

Furthermore, you will be able to enjoy tastings at a sake brewery that is a supplier to the head temple, interact with the brewers, stay at a Michelin-starred hot spring inn, and enjoy kaiseki cuisine with plenty of seafood, experience traditional crafts and so on.

Unique to the “ifu-On” plan, we will welcome you with a variety of hospitality that can be described as the pinnacle (“Kiwami”) of Echizen.

 

――――― OPTION ―――――

◆Earth and fire. Ancient craftsmanship

In Echizen, located in the middle of the Japanese archipelago, the ancient practice of pottery making using wood-fired kilns lives on to the present day in a primitive landscape along with the nature and climate of the “Satoyama”.

Making things using soil from East Asia, which is said to be the oldest on Earth.

The clay collecting and open-air firing which origin of craftmanship will be added to the “ifu-on” plan, and together with “Sogetsu Pottery Studio”, participants will be provided with the opportunity to experience it.

The venue will be “Koyo no Mori” (The forest of the old kilns at Kokumadan).

(※The planning and production of videos, images, text, etc. was done by Ex SATOYAMA's planning and promotion division "SATOA")