Resilience of Kyomachiya: 1200 years of tradition for the next generation with wisdom from around the world

Introduction: In Silence and Shadows

Gion Shinbashi, Kyoto. My starting point as a photographer is in the "shadows" of this town. The machiya houses that I see through the viewfinder of the mirrorless single-lens reflex camera that has become familiar to my hand are more than just old wooden structures. They are "living organisms" that have adapted to the harsh climate and social changes over the past 1,200 years.

Now, however, their quiet breathing is about to come to a halt. Traditional machiya houses are disappearing day by day due to modern urban development, maintenance costs, and above all, a lack of successors to the traditional techniques.

The Paradox of Conservation

As an administrative officer of the Kyoto Prefectural Government for 35 years, I have dealt with local issues. What I saw there was the reality that traditions that should be protected are ironically being prevented from continuing by modern laws, regulations, and complicated procedures.

After retiring, I established "Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Alex International Office". When I was stationed in Singapore, I was convinced that looking at Japan from the outside, the value of Kyoto is no longer exclusive to Japan. The world is full of passionate young people who want to learn this intricate woodworking technique and sustainable architectural philosophy. However, they were confronted with high, invisible barriers such as "visas" and "employment contracts.

Kyomachiya Co-creation Project: From Kyoto to the World

The Kyomachiya Co-Creation Project, which I am leading, is an attempt to turn this wall into a "bridge.

The core of this project is to welcome overseas artisans not as mere "labor" but as "co-creation partners" who together preserve and nurture traditions.

• Visual Storytelling (Visual Storytelling): As a photographer, I will share the beauty of Kyomachiya with the world. The movement of a craftsman's fingertips and the texture of wood captured by a mirrorless SLR camera are compelling beyond words.
• Legal Framework: As an administrative scrivener, we create legal schemes for foreigners to legitimately study skills in Japan. We strategically utilize Specified Technical Skills and Cultural Activities visas to create an environment where they can devote themselves to their training with peace of mind.

The era of preserving Japanese traditions only in the hands of Japanese people is over. We will gather wisdom and passion from all over the world to Kyoto and breathe new life into machiya houses. We believe that this will be the "resilience" that will enable machiya to survive for the next 1,000 years.

Final Chapter: A New Dawn

The light shining through the lattice doors of the Kyomachiya changes its shape every moment as the morning comes. The tranquility of the temple where my father once served as chief priest, the challenges I faced at the Kyoto Prefectural Office, and now the future of the Kyomachiya through the lens of my own experience. With all my experience, I will continue to propose new forms of tradition from Kyoto to the world.

1200 years of silence into a dialogue about the future.