This weekend was the Kamogawa Kominkan Matsuri, a gathering of all the clubs, circles, and hobby groups that meet at the city’s community centers. Each showed off their activities at the city gymnasium. It was like the craft hall of a county fair.
There are so many interesting hobby clubs in this town. Who knew? Hundreds of talented people – all sorts of artists, knitters, basket weavers, herbalists, woodworkers, calligraphers, quilters, mandolin players, dancers, singers, poets.
As a member of the Oyama Kouminkan Handcraft Club, I got to display some of my work along side the other club members’ offerings. Mine was mainly bookbinding. Our club does all variety of crafts from basketry to embroidery to needle felting.
I enjoyed wandering the booths and talking to the craftspeople. The bamboo guys tried to recruit me. The toy makers showed me their secret tumbling ninja. I received a copy of one of the papercutter’s works. I was excited to see the herb club’s many activities and was enthralled by the enamel club’s art.
Almost everyone in these clubs is older. It makes sense – we are the ones with time on a Friday afternoon, a Thursday morning, or twice a month on Tuesdays. Some of the arts and crafts are cultural and there’s a real need to pass them on to a younger generation. Perhaps there could be a tie-up with school clubs to do inter-generational sharing.
For my own reference, I am posting the lists of the participating clubs and performances. What one will I join next?
