KIP知日派国際人育成プログラム

2022 KIP Gunma Trip

From June 16th to 17th, the participants went on a regional trip to Gunma Prefecture and learned about the history and industries of the area. On the first day, they held a forum themed “Ideal Personality That Is Required in the DX Era” with local high school students. Mr. Kitano, a KIP alumni member, made a speech, and they discussed the necessary skills in the DX era with the high school students. On the same day, they walked around Kanayama Castle, one of the hundred most famous castles in Japan. On the second day, they moved to Midori city and visited a soy sauce factory; besides, they learned about the history and industries of Gunma by strolling through the quaint streets in Kanra town, visiting Konjac Park, and going to Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage site.　

【Schedule】

June 17th, Sat. forum with Mr., Kitano (KIP alumnus) and high school students of Gunma Kokusai Academy, Ruins of Kanayama Castle
June 18th, Sun. soy sauce Factory of Okanaosaburo Merchant in Omama, historical site of Kanra town, Konjac Park, Tomioka Silk Mill

【Gunma Kokusai Academy】

We had a lecture and discussion titled "Personality Required in the DX Era" by Mr. Hiroki Kitano, an alumnus of KIP. Mr. Kitano discussed the skills required in the DX era and the progress of DX on a global scale. After that, there was a discussion on the importance of science subjects. The discussion included both pros and cons of the theme, with some emphasizing the importance of liberal arts subjects for character development and understanding of society, while others argued that science subjects were essential to address the shortage of science talent. Notably, high school students showed a broad insight and strong engagement in the discussion.

【Ruins of Kanayama Castle】

After leaving Gunma Kokusai Academy, we visited the ruins of Kanayama Castle, one of the Seven Famous Castles of Kanto region. Kanayama Castle is a mountain castle built in the 15th century by the Nitta family. The whole mountain itself is the castle, and it has intricated stone walls and man-made valleys, which make it difficult for enemies to climb up to the top. Thanks to these characteristics, the castle has survived the attacks by several commanders such as Shingen Takeda and Kenshin Uesugi. We were able to learn the way the castle has become "unbreakable" as well as the history and the geography of Gunma prefecture.

【Soy sauce Factory of Okanaosaburo Merchant】

On the second day, the tour started in the morning with a visit to the Omama factory of Okanaosaburo Merchant, which has been making soy sauce for 236 years using the traditional method of using wooden vats. The wholesale store flourished as a post town to the Ashio Copper Mine and was started by merchants from Omi area in western Japan. The tour also gave us an opportunity to gain experience about the agricultural issues related to the theme of the PJ. I remember the experience with all five senses, smelling the aroma of soy sauce soaked into the building of Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

【Historical Town of Kanra】

After visiting the soy sauce factory, we explored Kanra town. Kanra town served as the castle town for the Obata Domain, established by Oda Nobukatsu, the second son of Oda Nobunaga. In this town, many historical buildings, including samurai residences and stone walls, have been preserved, allowing us to experience the ambiance of the Edo period. We had the opportunity to engage with local residents who shared their thoughts on preserving the buildings, making us contemplate the challenges of preservation in a changing society. Subsequently, at Rakusanen Garden, we deepened our understanding of how the garden's design reflected the changing times and the Oda family's connection to the tea ceremony.

【Konjac Park】

On the afternoon of the second day, we went to Konjac Park in Kanra town for lunch. We learned that konjac texture and taste is completely different depending on the processing and cooking methods by eating lunch at the konjac buffet. Especially fried konjac, konjac ramen and konjac soft-serve ice cream were far from the general image of konjac usage, so we were surprised and found out that the wide range of ways to use konjac. I think the initiatives of Konjac Park were useful for solving problems that familiarizing people with konjac and spreading people new ways to use konjac.

【the Tomioka Silk Mill】

At the end of the training program, we visited the Tomioka Silk Mill, which has been registered as a World Heritage site. We were reminded of the history of Japan's modernization, which started with industry, one certain "product" that supported it, and the efforts of the women workers who lived in those days. On the other hand, "A Lament History of Women Factory Workers" was not mentioned in the entire exhibition, which made us keenly aware of the importance of going to see historical heritage ourselves, learning and feeling history, and continuing to ask questions with an attitude of confirming historical facts.

(Photograph from Tomioka City)

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