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2024.03.31

A seasonal feature of midwinter: "Kanzarashi" in Gujo. The clear streams of the Great Cold create carp streamers.

NEIGHBORS

A seasonal feature of midwinter: "Kanzarashi" in Gujo. The clear streams of the Great Cold create carp streamers.

"Kanzarashi" is a seasonal mid-winter tradition in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture, which takes place during Daikan, one of the 24 solar terms and the coldest time of the year.
The cold exposure here refers to the process of exposing the large carp streamers that have been dyed in Gujo Hachiman to the Kodara River, a tributary of the Yoshida River, to wash away the glutinous rice paste that was applied to the fabric during the dyeing process. It has been open to the public for several decades. This seasonal news that is typical of Gujo is delivered as a midwinter event by local residents to tourists, reporters, and many other people. The riverside of Gujo Hachiman is usually covered in snow and is quiet and clear. At this time of year, carp streamers colored in yellow, red, blue, and black swim majestically and magnificently.

I visited Gujo Hachiman, where such unusual scenery unfolded before me.

"Cold exposure" is possible only in this area

Kodara River where the fish are exposed to the cold

Kodara River where the fish are exposed to the cold

The water temperature of the Kodara River where the cold exposure took place in 2024 was 4°C. The participants in the cold exposure in the freezing river were about 20 people, including artisans from Watanabe Dyeing Shop, which has been preserving the traditional indigo dyeing method of Gujo Honzome for over 400 years since the Edo period, and members of the Gujo Honzome Supporters Association.
They were completely focused on the carp streamers, which were dyed using traditional methods and Gujo Honzome techniques that did not use any chemicals.

The glue is scraped off with a special tool.

The glue is scraped off with a special tool.

Large carp streamers can reach up to 4.5 meters in length. The large rivers created by the magnificent nature of Japan allow the glue to be washed away from every corner. Furthermore, the fabric tightens when exposed to the cold water of melting snow, resulting in a vibrant color.

Gujo Hachiman, known as the city of water, is a city well suited for dyeing.

All processes, including exposure to cold, flow naturally and gradually

Kazuyoshi Watanabe, the owner of Watanabe Dye Shop, dyeing the fabric

Kazuyoshi Watanabe, the owner of Watanabe Dye Shop, dyeing the fabric

The making of carp streamers starts in November of the previous year and continues until the end of April the following year. Over the course of about six months, 50 to 100 different carp streamers are made.

Before hanging to the cold, there are the processes of starching, drying, and dyeing. To achieve different shades of color, the dyeing and drying are done over and over again. Time is also needed between dyeing processes for the color to settle. After hanging to the cold, the fabric is dried. "It takes about 2 to 3 weeks to complete, as we work in accordance with the weather. If there are consecutive days when we cannot dry the fabric, we cannot dye it. We work while keeping an eye on the weather so that we can continue the process from dyeing to drying," says Watanabe Kazuyoshi, owner of Watanabe Dye Shop.

Dyeing work is not something that can be done as humans wish. The weather is an important factor in dyeing, and it is done in harmony with nature.

Being exposed to the cold also connects people both inside and outside the community.

Entering the Kodara River and exposing them to the cold

Entering the Kodara River and exposing them to the cold

The process of completing a carp streamer depends largely on sunlight and water, a gift from Mother Nature, but it also requires the support of many other people.

In order to dye and wash carp streamers that can reach up to 5.5 meters in length, the fabric needs to be stretched across a large bamboo frame, which requires about 6 meters of bamboo. "It's difficult to prepare all the materials ourselves, so we ask local bamboo groves and then go cut the bamboo with relatives and volunteers. A large truck is also needed to cut the bamboo, and a local construction company provides the truck for us. Thanks to everyone's cooperation and connections, we're still able to keep the bamboo exposed to the cold."

Watanabe continued, "Local children experience making carp streamers as part of their hometown studies. The children do every step of the process with their own hands, from gluing to coloring and leaving them out in the cold. It's nice to see them working together despite the difficulties and completing the project to the end. They also look like they have a lot of fun, and I hope that when the children grow up and leave Gujo Hachiman, they will look at the carp streamers and remember this experience." His eyes were kind as he spoke.

For locals, Kanzarashi is one of the events that liven up the area. After Kanzarashi, there are treats in the area, and the happy voices of children echo through the streets. With many people cooperating, participating, and making it a success, traditional culture can be preserved and it can continue to exist as a local event that people look forward to.

"I hope that many people will continue to cooperate and that local people, children, and tourists will enjoy the "Koinobori Kanzashi"," said Watanabe with a smile. The special Daikan season of Gujo Hachiman can only be seen during the Kanzashi season. I felt a strong connection with the local community through traditional culture.


Gujo Hachiman Town, near Sogi-mizu (held in the cold near the confluence of the Yoshida River and Kodara River), Watanabe Dyeing Shop

Address: Honmachi, Yahata-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture (Where the cold weather event is held)

Access: 20 minutes walk from JR Gujo Hachiman Station, 1 minute walk from Gujo Hachiman Community Bus Honmachi (Where the cold weather event will be held)