Person
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Storyteller of Furukawa
In Furukawa, visitors occasionally will run into a friendly looking old gentleman where the neighbors and children passing by affectionately call out “Ayutobi-san!” and wave to him. This is Mr. Ayutobi.
A retired plastering craftsman, Ayutobi-san is a master storyteller sharing the history of Furukawa with tourists, children, and other curious locals.
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The Ultimate Eco-Artist?
Rice has been the main staple food in Japan for thousands of years. Until two generations ago, rice was not only the staple food, but also used to make many household goods from the straw. Mr. Tomio Numata is one of the few remaining that continues the tradition of straw crafts.
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Master Builders Through the Centuries
The Hida region is known for its master builders and carpenters whose building traditions trace back to Nara period (700 AD). The Hida region has traditionally been a poor region and lacked the resources to pay the levies to the government at the time. However, this mountainous region had plenty of wood and woodworkers, carpenters, and builders.
