A tour to experience the history of the Genpei War
Award Winners
Konko Gakuen High School
Saki Yoshimi, Akira Watanabe, and Yuki Wada
Rediscovering my hometown
Kasaoka City in Okayama Prefecture is home to many historical sites and legends from the Genpei War, as well as legends of Heike refugees, and various traditional cultures related to the war remain. Therefore, we are planning a "Genpei War History Tradition Tour" where visitors can experience this traditional culture and events, and we expect to increase the number of tourists.
Ways to revitalize the local area
- Rediscovery [1] Shiraishi Dance
The dance originated as a funeral for those killed in the Genpei War and is characterized by 13 different dances. It is a traditional culture that has continued for 800 years and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government, but there is a lack of successors. Therefore, local high school students will learn the dances and become successors, and will promote the dance on the Kasaoka City Hall website and other sites. Tour participants will then learn the dances and become the successors of the Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. - Rediscovery [2] Hidden
"Hittaka" is a festival in which pictures are drawn with lanterns, and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kasaoka City. The word "Hittaka" comes from "burning fires high," referring to the story of how the Taira clan lit large bonfires to disguise themselves as a large army and drove off the approaching Genji clan. On the tour, participants will be able to watch as 300 to 400 lanterns are used to draw pictures on Mt. Gyoja (the Genji clan's side) and Mt. Myoken (the Taira clan's side), and compete with each other to create the best designs. - Rediscovery [3] Oshigurango
"Oshigurango" is an event in which two Japanese boats race against each other, and is also designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kasaoka City. Participants are divided into the Genji (white) and Heike (red) factions, with six people boarding each boat and competing to be the first to reach land from the offshore Konoura Bay. Tour participants will have a simulated experience of this event in a sea kayak.
In addition, the plan will attract tourists by planning tours that allow them to enjoy Kasaoka City's famous sites and specialties, such as eating Kasaoka's specialty "Kasaoka Ramen" and staying at the International Exchange Villa where they can enjoy the beautiful sunset on Shiraishi Island, thereby revitalizing the local area.
Secondary screening video material
Comments and points regarding the award
What was most appealing and excellent about the program was that it carefully researched, revised, and thoroughly explained several local resources, such as Shiraishi Dance, Hittaka, Oshigurango, and food.
Another excellent point is that they proposed an "experiential tour" to help people learn about these resources. What's more, rather than simply connecting point A to point B, they clearly stated the central concept of the "Genpei War." In addition, while the suggestion to "disseminate information through social media" has become a standard these days, the idea of "disseminating information through virtual idols" is brilliant and does not rely on easy thinking, and I was surprised that they even laid out a feasible path forward.
It was a truly wonderful business plan with many points carefully considered, but if I had to point out a flaw, it would be that the target audience was unclear. It would be even better if they had clarified who their needs were and what they were trying to meet. It would also have been good to consider the costs participants would have to pay.
Original art made from paper waste
Award Winners
Tokyo Metropolitan Chihaya High School
Maki Oiwa
Rediscovering my hometown
Bunkyo Ward is home to many paper wholesalers, universities, and publishing companies, making it a true "paper town." It is also a cultural town beloved by many great writers, including Natsume Soseki. Taking advantage of this "paper" and "culture and art" connection, we will be holding an art class using paper waste.
Ways to revitalize the local area
First, paper waste will be collected from local educational institutions and community centers. Next, an art class will be held at Oe Paper Co., Ltd. in Bunkyo Ward, where paper waste will be used as material for artwork. This company is closely connected to the local community, and has been proactive in supporting the realization of this project, renting out space within the company as a venue for neighborhood association events. In the art class, participants will learn how to easily create artworks such as cranes and stars using non-square paper or scraps of paper, and then have fun making them.
Since everything from the paper waste collection method to the venue has already been confirmed, holding an art class using paper waste is a highly feasible plan, and the venue is easily accessible, within a five-minute walk from the nearest station, so it is likely to attract people. Advertising will not only be done through simple social media, but will also be possible with the cooperation of local companies such as Oe Shigyo Co., Ltd., so the success rate of the plan is thought to be high.
Secondary screening video material
Comments and points regarding the award
This proposal for regional revitalization using paper, a material familiar to us in our daily lives, is in line with the objectives of this contest. Furthermore, the proposal describes Bunkyo Ward as a city of paper, rich in education and culture, and home to such writers as Natsume Soseki and Mori Ogai. This is a novel approach that gives paper cultural and historical significance, which we believe to be a novel approach. Furthermore, with the recent trend toward paperless society seeing a decline in demand for paper, the proposal's bold attempt to reconsider the merits of paper by combining it with art is very interesting, and it is also wonderful that it sheds new light on paper waste by turning it into an artwork, rather than simply recycling it.
The presentation was praised for its effective use of video and sound to create an impact on the audience. The content was also praised for its demonstration of how to make origami cranes and stars using recycled paper, which effectively conveyed information about the proposed paper waste art.
One thing I would have liked to see more of is if they had made clear not only the means but also the expected results of how paper waste art will contribute to the promotion and development of Bunkyo Ward.
2019 Grand Prize 2019 Jury Recommendation Prize
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