JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We interviewed Ms. Kimiko Miura, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting Aomori’s charms.
–How did you come up with the idea of doing the Tachineputa paper papering experience?
JAL Aomori Branch has been participating in the “Winter Activity Conference” held by companies in Aomori Prefecture to enliven the winter season in Aomori, and as part of the conference activities, JAL Aomori Branch collaborated with Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School’s Fashion Design Department to produce “Design Kakumaki”. However, due to a lack of materials, the production of the design square rolls was terminated with the release of the new work in January 2024.
Kakumaki is a winter wear worn in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions.
Through the introduction of Mr. Tsunoda, a tourism charismatic who organizes the Winter Live Conference, I was able to experience the paper papering of Goshogawara Tachineputa, and here is what I learned!
–Please let us know how the paper-covering experience went.
This year’s Goshogawara Tachineputa is “Enma” (creator: Tadahiro Saito). I immediately went to the Tachineputa museum to experience papering.
Tachineputa (Tachineputa is a doll lantern about 23 meters high and weighing about 19 tons). The Goshogawara City Neputa festival is held every year from August 4 to 8, with three large Tachineputa floats going “Yatte-mare! Yatte-mare! Three large Tachineputa floats parade through the city with the call of “Yatte-mare! This year’s Tachineputa features a design of Jizo Bosatsu, another form of Enma.
First, Mr. Kasai, one of the creators, explained the location of the parts of Tachineputa to be papered and the procedure of papering. The part we experienced this time was a part of the cloth that would be hung on the Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva) at the send-off. Washi paper was handed out, and each participant decided where he or she would like to put the paper. Two participants were accompanied by one maker, and they carefully stretched the paper while confirming the procedure.
Mr. Kasai and the other makers explained the process very well, and all participants were able to complete the papering experience successfully, and all received a papering certificate. The certificates are marked with the location where they were pasted. The washi I pasted will be used as it is, and the Tachineputa will be paraded around Goshogawara City in August.
The paper-crafting experience at the Tachineputa House is open to everyone from April to mid-June each year by reservation only.
–What is the Tachineputa no Yakata?
The Goshogawara Tachineputa Museum, where we had the opportunity to try our hand at paper papering, also has an observation room with a view of Aomori’s natural beauty, including Hakkouda and Mount Iwaki, a product corner, a cafe, and an exhibition room where you can see a large Tachineputa. Visitors can enter the Tachineputa Exhibition Hall and take the elevator to the 4th floor, where they can listen to the performance of Tachineputa and its musical accompaniment as they descend a ramp to see a 360-degree view of Tachineputa on a large screen, from its head to its feet.
On JAL’s Aomori – Haneda route, two out of six round-trip flights (four flights) will be upgraded to larger aircraft to increase the number of seats offered during the summer vacation and autumn foliage season from July 1 to October 26.
–What is your message to travelers?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tachineputa pavilion in Goshogawara City. One Tachineputa is dismantled every year, but next year the pavilion will undergo a major renovation, so it is impossible to say which Tachineputa will be the last to be seen. This year may be the last time you will be able to see the current “Kaguya,” “Susanoo-no-mikoto” and “Awhile.
If you want to visit, now is a good time to do so, as the Aomori – Haneda route is partially oversized.
Kaguya” has delicate coloring that can only be seen up close, such as tears in her eyes, and is made right down to the tips of her fingers and hair. Please come and experience the power of Ningyo Toro up close!
© Source travel watch
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