ure Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial 2015 Web: www.echigo-tsumari.jp English Speaking Tours: Contact info@tsumari-artfield.com or visit www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/BUS1KRBS001C EVENT SCHEDULE Aug. 13-14: Dai-Ichi no Bon Experience an authentic Japanese summer at “Dai-ichi no Matsuri,” a traditional bon dance festival. As one of the most famous festivals in the region, this celebration attracts numerous visitors including Japanese celebrities. Begins at 6 p.m. Location: Matsudai “Nou Budai.”
Matsudai Tanaba Bank was started to help aging locals with their farming industry. Every year, a group of volunteers assist in harvesting the rice. Ironically enough, most of the younger volunteers are city folks seeking an escape from the corporate life. To them, Echigo-Tsumari is more than an art field – it is a creative community and, for some, a new home. For visitors who want to sneak in some hiking or water activities during the trip, Oregon-based shoe company KEEN, one of Echigo-Tsumari’s sponsors, will be renting out trekking shoes at its exhibit, “Deai,” which is near Mt. Akiyama. Shoes are then returned at Kinare Matsudai Station. Four designs of their waterproof shoes are inspired by exhibits. “We’re not just installing art for the sake of aesthetics. Each piece is meant to connect viewers with the
surrounding nature. The artwork and its environment go hand-in-hand,” says Tomoko Yamaguchi, who is part of NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization. She helps harvest rice in the summer and clears the rooftops from snow in winter. “It’s hard work and, honestly, I thought I was going to die (from shoveling snow),” she laughs. “But I love seeing the results of cultivating Echigo-Tsumari.” The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2015 is held from July 26 to Sept. 13, but the art field is open year-round. It may take art enthusiasts nearly a week to fully cover the whole exhibition. However, if you don’t have that much time, you can pick and choose which exhibits to see, and there are English-speaking tours. In addition, a slew of cultural performances, traditional festivals, local cooking and art workshops will be held throughout the Triennale.
Aug. 16: Ondekoza Bon Festival Enjoy the heart-pumping beats of the taiko drums as they ring in the Obon season. Begins at 6 p.m. Location: Matsudai “Nou Budai.” Aug. 23: Yoshiaki Ito / Tour de Tsumari 2015 Cheer on more than 1,000 people as they cycle 120 kilometers through the region on this annual tour. Architect Yoshiro Ito started this bike tour in 2006. Location: Mion Nakasato. Sept. 5-6: Yubiwa Hotel / Heavenly Love III Built to protect the roads from heavy snowfall, the Okura Snowshed will serve as a platform for Yubiwa Hotel / Heavenly Love III, a bizarre live performance telling a fictitious story while also reflecting the history of the land. Time: 1 p.m. on Sept. 5 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 6. Location: Okura Snowshed.
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