午夜剧场

Golden pupae hang from vines, and a family of owls perches in the trees. The view from the window is a blanket of cherry blossoms. Children run through the garden, picking and eating seasonal fruits. The local spirit "Bunagaya (Kijimuna)" plays mischievous pranks.

In an area called Yanbaru in the northern part of Okinawa's main island, my children attended an elementary school that felt like something out of a fairy tale. This wonderful school in Kijoka village—famous nationwide for Bashofu, a beautiful textile born from tropical fields—closed its 127-year history due to village policy. When I learned they were calling for public proposals for operators to utilize the site, I felt a strong push and found myself raising my hand.

In my mid-20s, wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, I started living in the countryside in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, after marrying a potter. In 2004, I moved to Ogimi Village in Okinawa. While involved in managing local craft fairs, I saw that most works by local artisans were flowing out to urban distributors. Seven years ago, I started a craft shop focused on local production for local consumption. Then, I named the site of the closed school "Kijoka Sho School" and launched the business in June 2022.

I wanted us, the local residents, to do something with this place rather than letting it be monopolized by a major corporation. I felt that if no one else would do it, I had to. I started with the somewhat simple momentum of thinking I could manage tenant rentals for empty classrooms and lodging. However, a school facility is massive in many ways (site, equipment, repair and maintenance costs, history, spells, etc.), and I struggled at first. Nevertheless, by the end of last year, all 12 tenant rooms were full, and the craft shop moved into the school. It is becoming an interesting facility where a fun group has gathered, including a sauna, bookstore, hammocks, pottery and woodworking studios, a photo studio, film production, a watercolorist, a tourism corporation, and a lab. There are also experience programs unique to the region, and lodging facilities are scheduled to open within this year.

While the region possesses a deep culture and overwhelming nature, it also faces challenges unique to depopulated areas, such as a declining birthrate, dense human relationships, and rigid administration. I want to create jobs that utilize the charm of the land where the younger generation can work in an interesting way.

At Kijoka Sho School, where a mysterious and fabled atmosphere flows comfortably, a story that had been paused has begun to be written again. I myself, doing these things, might be one of those enticed by the "Bunagaya." Why don't you, the 午夜剧场 alumni, come and be enticed too?