Member Introduction Vol. 8: Sayuri Kii
- Where are you from?
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture.
- What brought you to Itoshiro Yokahinten?
While I was traveling in a prefecture where my friend lives, I saw a pair of pants my friend who married into Gifu was wearing, and I said, "Those are cute." That was the beginning of everything. They were "Tatsuke" pants. And the next day, I was in Itoshiro!
- That's amazing initiative! After that, you joined as a member after an internship, right? What is your work here?
I am in charge of workshops. This includes communication with participants and preparations leading up to the workshop day. I strive to support participants so they can comfortably attend the workshop.
My other responsibility is the new guesthouse "KIITOS," which will open in the fall. I'm setting up facilities and working on the interior, adding various touches as we prepare for its opening!
- What workshops do you recommend?
All of them!
Regarding clothing workshops, such as "Tatsuke" and "Karusan," it's not just about making clothes for people who are interested in it. We also explore the context of where those clothes originated and how they were part of people's lives in certain lands and cultures. To help people understand the background, we listen to Hayato-san's stories at the shrine, and visit the Oshi's house and an old materials museum.
In fact, participants have told us that they really appreciated that time.
And I also recommend "Silk thread making from silkworms" for learning the roots of clothing, "Indigo dyeing workshop," and "Botanical dyeing workshop from plant harvesting."
Clothes made with chemical dyes are abundant, but botanical dyed clothes are gentle and beautiful. I didn't know until this age where those colors came from, or through what process the colors appeared and were dyed. I'm also learning myself now that I'm in charge of this workshop.
I believe it's incredibly valuable to have a place where you can experience picking plants from nearby fields or growing around, boiling them, and then dyeing with them, receiving those colors from the plants.
Honestly, I wish they taught this in schools. I think if everyone could experience it just once, it would be such a profound experience that their perspective on natural plants would change.
- Are there any workshops you'd like to do in Itoshiro in the future?
Since I'm interested in children, I'm thinking it would be a lot of fun to do indigo dyeing or botanical dyeing with them, or have a place where children can sew together. Combining dyeing and sewing, and adding natural play, perhaps as a summer camp... something like that. I want to do activities that involve both physical movement and focused handiwork. I'm also imagining a program for Respect for the Aged Day, where grandparents and grandchildren can do handicrafts together.
- That's a lot of ideas! Let's make them happen! Do you have a message for customers coming to Itoshiro?
Itoshiro might seem "inconvenient" or "there's nothing here" compared to the city, and indeed, there might be fewer things. But on the other hand, I want people to discover the abundance that overflows here.
Above all, the creatures are beautiful. Butterflies, dragonflies. There are so many kinds. Japanese giant dragonflies fly around daily. When I was in Kanagawa, I was lucky if I saw one in an entire summer, but here they are right there. They're so beautiful that I stop. My heart stops too. I love that time immensely.
I want people to feel the long history here, and simply feel the undeniable natural beauty and wonderful environment that exists now, and spend their time here slowly.
- Finally, please tell us your recommended clothing, Kii-san.
My current favorite is "Karusan". I always wear Karusan for indigo work and workshops.
Compared to Tatsuke, the cuffs have a bit more room. The moderate tapered design is more comfortable for me than the hakama cuffs. I love it because it's so easy to move in. I use the linen natural Karusan, size 2, rolled up.
- Thank you! Everyone is energized by your laughter, Kii-chan! Please continue with the workshops and KIITOS! We want to create a good place where everyone can have a fun and rich time in Itoshiro! (Shop owner: Kaori Hirano)
