Roofing

To commemorate the holding of the special exhibition [roofing-roof made of grass and wood-], a thatched experience class was held. Instructor is Ueno in Japan Thatching Cultural Association and thatched craftsmen in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. Under the guidance of craftsmen, it is a challenge to thatched roofing of "Tsukuba style"!

Mr. Hiroyama, the master of thatched craftsman, is a veteran who has been involved in thatched roofing for more than 50 years. We are also working hard to train your disciples.

Let's start with the basic "nowa knot" practice. A young craftsman will teach you how to tie it to various parts, including the roof base. It looks so simple, I can’t remember it!

Building the base of the roof. A thick bamboo and thin bamboo are formed and tied with a rope to create a base for fixing the kaya.

Place the kaya on the base of the roof, hold it with bamboo from above, pass the rope, and use the "foot" to firmly hold the kaya on the base. This is a fixed method called "Tooshimono" which is unique to the Tsukuba region. Skilled craftsmen have great momentum and flexibility when they shake their feet! (Participants, we are struggling.)

After a few steps of the kaya, cut the kaya using a large scissor.

This is a challenge to prepare Japanese pampas grass. We select strong kaya that can be used for roofs.
The thatch used for thatched roof in the Tsukuba region is "Shima Gaya", a specialty of Kasumigaura, and is a fine and supple type. Shima Gaya seems to be economical in terms of labor costs because it hardly needs this sorting work.

It was a day when I was reluctantly covered with thatch and felt clean.
Thank you very much to everyone who came here. And Instructor, thank you very much!