[Hoshino Resorts] [Kai Kaga] A moment of handicraft “A workshop tour where you can immerse yourself in the 400-year tradition of Kaga Shishigashira and talk with the craftsmen” will be held | Period: March 1st – August 31st, 2025
Hoshino Resort Press release: November 20, 2024 [Kai Kaga] A moment of handicraft “A workshop tour where you can immerse yourself in the 400-year tradition of Kaga Shishigashira and talk with the craftsmen” will be held | Period: March 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 ~A workshop tour where you can feel the passion of the craftsmen at Chida Kobo, the only Kaga lion head workshop in Ishikawa Prefecture, and an original Kaga lion head painting experience~ Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-9ec2ea246b8a1cf715d45a7945265272-938×625.jpg At KAI Kaga, a hot spring inn located in Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, from March 1st to August 31st, 2025, we will be holding a workshop tour where you can immerse yourself in the 400-year tradition of Kaga Shishigashira and talk with the craftsmen. will be held. We visited Chida Kobo, the only workshop in the prefecture (*2) specializing in Kaga lion heads, which produces the Kaga lion heads used in the local music (*1) “Kaga Shishimai”. This is a tour where you can get a close look at the passion of the craftsmen who are working hard to pass on Kaga lion culture to future generations, through dialogue with the craftsmen and viewing their work. You can experience painting a small Kaga lion head that fits in the palm of your hand, and take home the small Kaga lion head as a guardian deity to ward off evil and misfortune. At KAI Kaga, you can enjoy a front row seat to the “Kaga Shishimai” performance, which uses Kaga lion heads made by Chida Kobo. This initiative is part of the “Handicraft Moment,” a local cultural experience with craftsmen and producers that has been implemented at all Kaikai facilities since 2021. *1 Gotochigaku: A service unique to KAI, a hot spring inn brand, where you can enjoy local culture such as traditional crafts, performing arts, and food from all over Japan for free. *2 January 2020 Investigated by Chida Kobo as a lion head specialty workshop in Ishikawa Prefecture What is “handicraft moment”? “Handicraft Moments” is a local cultural experience where customers can meet craftsmen, writers, and producers who carry on local culture, see their rare techniques up close, and learn behind the scenes. Since the establishment of the brand, KAI has provided “hospitality unique to the region and season.” Our staff have learned about local culture and handicrafts from craftsmen, writers, and producers, and have had the experience of growing even more attached to the region. Based on that experience, we have been holding “Handicraft Moment” since 2021 with the hope that our customers will also be able to experience the handicrafts of the craftsmen, writers, and producers who inherit the local culture. To date, 23 experiences have been held at 18
facilities, and more than 1,200 people have used the service across the world. Details URL: https://www.hoshinoresorts.com/sp/tewaza/ About Kai Kaga’s handicraft moments In many towns in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City Intangible Folk Cultural Property “Kaga Shishi” dances are held during festivals and events. Each town has one unique Kaga lion head, each with a different material, expression, and size, and is carefully preserved as a guardian deity.Currently, in Kaga City alone, where KAI Kaga is located, 127 towns have inherited their own lion heads. Masu. At KAI Kaga, the local music “Kaga Shishimai”, which is a unique arrangement of the Kaga lion, has been performed every night in the facility since its opening in 2015, even during the coronavirus pandemic. The staff themselves are practicing. Chida Kobo, the only Kaga lion head workshop in the prefecture, makes and repairs the Kaga lion heads used in this performance. We decided to hold this event because we want people to enjoy Kaga’s local music, “Kaga Shishimai,” even more by learning about the passion that craftsmen put into making Kaga Shishigashira. Characteristics of KAI Kaga’s handicrafts Feature 1: A workshop tour where you can feel the passion of the craftsmen at the only workshop in the prefecture that inherits the 400-year-old Kaga Shishi tradition
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-39da6f0d828d1f843708121641168079-938×625.jpg At Chida Kobo, you can learn about the passion of the craftsmen who are working through trial and error on how to inherit and spread the 400-year-old tradition, even though the number of people who carry the Kaga lion culture is decreasing. By seeing the handiwork of the craftsmen who actually make Kaga lion heads, you can feel the 400-year-old tradition of Kaga lion heads created by the people of Ishikawa Prefecture and the passion that goes into Kaga lion heads. At the workshop, we listened to stories about the differences in the characteristics and designs of Kaga lion heads, which have been passed down from generation to generation in each region of Ishikawa Prefecture and are still protected at Chida Studio, and learned about the process of carving a single lion head from a large round piece of wood. You can observe the situation. Feature 2: Original design Kaga lion head painting experience
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-92dba41c71a064ec9b6d62dadaefa763-938×625.jpg The Kaga lion’s head is said to ward off evildoers, and is a lucky charm and a guardian deity that wards off evil spirits and misfortune. At the workshop, you can create a Kaga lion head and take it home with you as a memento of your trip. Although the Kaga lion heads are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, each one is carved by a craftsman at the Chida studio, and the mouth part is made to move like the larger Kaga lion heads, giving it an authentic look. During the experience, you can create your own original Kaga lion head by painting the eyes and mouth on a hand-carved head, attaching parts such as ears, horns, and hair, and strings in your favorite color. Depending on how you insert the eyes, you can create a variety of expressions and create the face you like. Feature 3: Watch the local music “Kaga Shishimai” at KAI Kaga with the passion of the craftsmen in mind
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-6a03653bb9e0b5ea7da2fc09cc68e1fa-3000×2000.jpg After visiting the workshop, check in, enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath and dinner, and then enjoy the local music “Kaga Shishimai” from a special seat in the front row. The power of the Kaga lion head produced at the Chida workshop, and the thrill of watching the performance after learning about the craftsman’s thoughts and history. At KAI Kaga, with the desire to inherit Ishikawa’s lion dance culture that has been passed down for 400 years, we have created our own version of the Kanazawa City Intangible Folk Cultural Property “Kaga Lion” with the cooperation of local craft artists and folklore entertainment teams. An arranged version of the local music “Kaga Shishimai” is performed every night. The choreography, costumes, and music are all original, and the staff performs a new and original “Kaga Lion Dance” while preserving the traditions of the brave and splendid samurai culture. Kaga lion’s characteristic lion head, which has a unique appearance called Happou Nirami, is so impressive that once you see it, you will never forget it. About Chida Kobo The only workshop in the prefecture that specializes in Kaga lion heads, with a 400-year history. The workshop, which has been in business for 70 years and has been in operation for two generations, has produced and repaired over 500 lion heads for facilities, shrines, and local festivals across the country. Chida Kobo’s lion head is a completely handmade lion head carved from paulownia wood from the foot of the local sacred mountain, Mt. Hakusan, by experienced craftsmen with great care. After receiving an order, we search for a tree that matches the size, dig up the lion sleeping in the tree, and color each piece by hand.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-f4d1ec453087131e50388af4af43fde3-938×625.jpg Chida family, from left: Mr. Eriko Chida, 2nd generation Mr. Seiun, Mr. Ohme
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-cf74d09a1815a0645d7310acc367f5c7-938×625.jpg Chida Kobo 2nd generation Mr. Seiun Chida
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-6aa00e031530cd0be927d20deaa35098-938×625.jpg About contributing to SDGs According to a fact-finding survey on traditional crafts conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, although various support measures have been taken, due to background factors such as changes in lifestyles, socio-economic conditions, and the influx of cheaper similar products, traditional crafts are becoming less popular. Demand is decreasing. Along with this, the production value and number of people engaged in traditional crafts are also on the decline, and there are concerns that the inheritance of traditional crafts and culture will be lost in the future (*3). Since the establishment of the brand in 2011, KAI has been providing hospitality unique to the region and season while taking advantage of the healing and relaxation that is unique to hot spring inns. On top of that, we believe it is important to protect local traditional culture and contribute to the local economy. By acting as a bridge between travelers and local communities, we hope to pass on traditional crafts and culture to the next generation, and through our handiwork activities, we aim to achieve SDGs Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Goal 11: We aim to contribute to the creation of a town where people can continue to live. *3 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Administrative Evaluation Bureau June 2020 “Survey on the actual situation regarding the utilization of traditional crafts as local resources” What is the world? What is “Kai”? “Kai” is a hot spring inn brand operated by Hoshino Resorts with 23 facilities nationwide. With the theme of “Royal, yet new,” we pursue hospitality that meets modern needs while taking advantage of the changing seasons, Japanese flavor, and tradition. It also features “Gochi-raku” where you can experience the traditional culture and crafts of the area, and “Gochi-style rooms” where you can experience the local culture. KAI Hakone, located in Hakone Yumoto Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture, will reopen in August 2025. URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/brands/kai/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/33064/1184/33064-1184-bc76c9434c2025cba8ae40363ad78a39-1182×1182.jpg Kai Kaga (Yamashiro Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture) This inn is a fusion of tradition and modernity, with guest rooms decorated with
traditional crafts such as Mizuhiki and Kaga Yuzen, and staff performing the Kaga lion dance. You can enjoy pairing it with your food using Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani ware vessels. Our specialty dish, “live crab steamed with shimenawa”, was featured in the Michelin Guide Toyama/Ishikawa (Kanazawa). Location: 18-47 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture 922-0242 Phone: 050-3134-8092 (Kai Reservation Center) Number of rooms: 48 ・Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00 Price: From 31,000 yen per night (per person when 2 people occupy one room, service charge and tax included, dinner and breakfast included) Access: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Kaga Onsen Station / Approximately 30 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/kaikaga/
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