Chiiori repair and re-thatching in 2009

By fall of 2007, it had been nearly twenty years since the previous rethatching, and Chiiori’s roof was leaking and in serious need of repair. Temporarily we put tin sheets on the back of the roof (the back, which is the shady side, deteriorates faster than the front). Where the front of the roof was worn and in danger of leaking, Omo-san helped “patch” the roof by inserting thatch. These stop-gap measures will keep the house safe for now, but it’s time to prepare for the second full rethatching.

We are making plans for a full re-thatching to be carried out in spring 2009. This will also involve far-reaching carpentry on the floors and supports, as well as repairing rotted beams, straightening the house, and putting in amenities such as improved toilet, bath, electrical wiring, insulation, etc.

But first we need to collect thatch. The thatch used on roofs (kaya) is the tall pampas grass (susuki) that grows in the mountains. In order to do this, we will be cutting thatch at the fields at Kyobashira Toge (mountain pass) in the fall of 2007 and 2008. Altogether, the roof will require about 2,000 bundles, of which we only have about 200 usable bundles as of Nov 2007.

From mid-November 2007, we’ll be holding regular “thatch weekends”. Please contact us to learn more.

Organic Agriculture

At Chiiori we’ve experimented with organic agriculture over the years, mostly growing the local potatoes, buckwheat (soba), and vegetables such as cucumbers. In 2007, due to the change in ownership of the house and transformation of the NPO, the farming stopped for this year.

However, in 2008, we plan to re-start the organic agriculture, this time expanding our fields beyond the small patch we planted before, just below the house.

Chiiori has been affiliated with WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), a relationship which we are now reviving.

Restoration of old houses

As part of the expansion of Chiiori Trust activities beyond Chiiori, we plan to gain access to other houses in the village, restore them, bring them back to life, either as residences for volunteers, or rented to visitors.

The process of restoration involves many skills, from carpentry, to architectural design, to knowledge about environmentally friendly heating, toilets, and baths.

Sustainable tourism

Tourism is the last, maybe the only hope, for reviving depressed rural areas such as Iya. Unfortunately, tourist development in Japan has often been damaging to the natural environment and local tradition.

Chiiori Trust would like to create a “model case” of sustainable tourism, something that other towns and villages could learn from and apply to their own situations.

Tourism will involve: working with local inns and hotels to bring people to stay in Iya, when necessary using Chiiori as a draw. Visitors could come just for tea to see the house; stay at Chiiori or nearby houses; or stay at local inns and spas. Tourism will involve beautification of the village, organic agriculture, study of traditional village customs, as well as various kinds of experiential and training programs.

Experience of village life

Both volunteers and visitors have many opportunities to meet the villagers and experience daily life. One of the most important by-products of Chiiori Trust is this chance for many people to see and learn from a vanishing tradition that has much to teach.

Stay at Chiiori

Visitors can stay at Chiiori overnight. Please consult with the staff for rates for spending one or more nights.

Special Programs

Because of its isolation, Iya is a great place for groups to come and engage in special programs, such as corporate training, or meditation.

Past events have included:

— Toyota Teachers (50 American high school teachers brought to Japan by Toyota America)

— Chicago Symphony Orchestra Patrons Tour of Japan

— SIBF (Society of Business Fellows) Japan Tour

— Corporate training programs for Ogilvy and Mather (Japan)

In addition, we’ve hosted university alumni, tea ceremony circles, and student and youth groups.

Each of these programs has involved hand-crafted planning of nature and cultural experience, as well as specially organized dinners and lunches at Chiiori. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting such an event at Chiiori.

Conferences and networking

A number of groups involved in eco-tourism, minka restoration, protection of forests etc have expressed interest in holding meetings at Chiiori. As we do with the special programs, we will do these in collaboration with nearby resorts and spas in order to involve the village as a whole.

With activities such as these, Chiiori Trust and Iya can play an active role in spreading new ideas across Japan for revitalization of rural areas.

Facilities

As of Nov 2007, Chiiori Trust functions at three locations in the hamlet of Tsurui: the house Chiiori, the Inkyo (or “retirement house”) of Omo-san, where volunteers live, and the Log Cabin, built on Omo-san’s land near the road. The Log Cabin serves as the main office space, storage, and it has room for volunteers when Chiiori and the Inkyo are crowded.