Hakone is famous for beautiful lanscapes, historical places and yosegi-zaiku, which is traditional Japanese craft made with different types and colors of woods, assembled to create distinctive, brilliant patterns. Yosegi-zaiku began in Hakone almost 200 years ago in Hatajuku- south area of Hakone. Today, there are many shops in Hatajuku, where you can buy yosegi-zaiku items, but Hatajuku Yosegi Hall was the first place in this type.

When I came in, I saw a lot of yosegi-zaiku craft items. Except of vassels, there were characteristic puzzle boxes, picture frames, toys and other various accessories. It is only at first sight, that it’s just a usual shop, because in fact, except of stock articles, there are planty exhibited items there as well. What especially catched my sight, was big ‘mikoshi’- portable shrine carried in Japanese festivals, that was made using a technique of yosegi-zaiku craft. People, who want to know the technique and try to create craft item by themselves, can do it in a special workshop. You will get there all the necessary accessories, like scissors, glue and wooden items to create your own yosegi-zaiku coaster. I was very good at handicraft from the childhood, but creating this coaster was harder than I thought it will be! Actually, I had no idea, how to set all of theese spreeded wooden elements and sticking the elements was the most tiresome work I’ve ever done, because wood is not easy- sticking material. However, I had been listening tips of the man, who works there and thanks to his help, I finally managed to create my own coaster!

When we were waiting until coaster dry up, seller told me about the history of yosegi-zaiku. Products by this technique are valueable traditional handcrafts that have been succeeded to in Odawara and its neighborhood since the Edo period until today. They are so unique that woodworks of this kind can hardly be found in any other area in Japan. Seller was really knowledgeable person about this craft and he could answer every question in this area. Visit in Hatajuku Yosegi Hall was really educational experiance!

Summary

I recommend the visit in Hatajuku Yosegi Hall for people who like handicraft and children, who are always very excited of creating something by themselves. If you are going to visit that place and create your own coaster, don’t forget to make a call before visit, because in case of using the workshop, reservation in recquired. Moreover, local craft, that you can buy in the shop, would be the best, original present from Hakone for your family or friends.I’m sure, that they will be very glad of getting beutiful puzzle box or jawellery.

Weronika Golubska

Information

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* This article was written by a trainee from overseas. Please note that there might be spelling and grammar mistakes.

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