Gallery Touinryo Tour with Fusuma Mounter Mrs. Wada (1 hour)
This program is recommended for first-time visitors to the Kunimi area of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Many artists have moved to the Kunimi area in recent years, and a street full of galleries has emerged. In the middle of this street sits Touinryo, a workshop and gallery whose owner, Konomi Wada, will give you a tour of the building and talk about local history, culture, and artists. You can also enjoy a cup of nodate-style coffee, which is made outdoors with a tea whisk. Feel free to explore the surrounding area once the tour concludes.
- ● Visit the Kunimi area, a budding artists’ enclave on the Kunisaki Peninsula in northeastern Oita Prefecture
- ● Tour Touinryo, a gallery housed in the renovated 140-year-old former home of a sake brewer and merchant located in the heart of Kunimi
- ● Hear from gallery owner and fusuma mounter Konomi Wada
- ● Enjoy a mellow cup of nodate-style coffee made outdoors with a tea whisk (green tea and soft drinks are also available)
- Konomi, Keisuke, and Kaoru WadaFusuma mounters
- Konomi Wada
Moved by a six-panel folding screen created by her husband’s grandfather, Konomi entered the world of mounting and began learning the craft. Later, she studied under a master mounter in Yamaguchi Prefecture and mastered the art of restoration as well. As she continued to do mounting work, she created her own folding screens using old kimonos and obis from her home. She eventually began creating uniquely shaped folding screens using bamboo from Kunisaki, inspired by a desire to make works that were not rectangular. She also accepts commissions for custom works using clients’ cherished kimono and obi, and she works on restoring of Buddhist paintings and hanging scrolls.
Keisuke Wada
Born in Kunisaki, Keisuke learned the art of fusuma mounting under the tutelage of Konomi and later studied under a master mounter in Okayama.
Kaoru Wada
Originally from Kumamoto Prefecture, Kaoru has been restoring folding screens and other items as well as creating accessories using old fabrics ever since marrying Keisuke.
Visit the Kunimi Area, a Budding Artists’ Enclave on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Northeastern Oita Prefecture
The Kunisaki Peninsula is a remote region in northeastern Oita Prefecture. It was one of the first areas in Kyushu where Buddhism took root, after which the unique Rokugou-Manzan culture flourished. The culture of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism is strong in this area, with shrines and temples existing side-by-side, and many grand shrines as big as temples. Attracted by the abundant natural scenery along the coastline, the traditional rural landscape, and the unique culture, many creators and artists have moved to the Kunimi area, which is located along the sea in the northeastern part of the Kunisaki Peninsula, leading to the emergence of a Gallery Street.
Touinryo: A Workshop and Gallery Housed in a 140-Year-Old Residence
The centerpiece of Kunimi Gallery Street is an old three-story wooden private residence called Touinryo. This workshop and gallery are housed in a renovated Japanese-style house originally built as a sake brewery about 140 years ago. It exhibits works by artists from within and outside the prefecture, and displays and sells folding screens crafted from old obis and kimonos by master fusuma mounter Konomi Wada. Touinryo serves as a gathering place for local artists as well as a venue for where creators and visitors can meet. It also hosts regular exhibitions and events. Cafe Sangaiya on the first floor is popular for its octopus rice set made using local octopus from Kunimi (available for an additional fee).
Learn About the Kunimi Area in Depth from Mrs. Wada, a Master Fusuma mounter
On this program, visitors will listen to a talk by Mrs. Wada, a master fusuma mounter and the owner of Touinryo, and view the works displayed in the gallery. You will enjoy the atmosphere of the historic Touinryo along with the works of artists who live and work in Kunimi. Inside the gallery, you can enjoy both traditional works currently being restored by Mrs. Wada—such as folding screens and hanging scrolls—as well as her original folding screens and room dividers made using kimonos, obis, vintage fabrics, and other materials. Join the knowledgeable and engaging Mrs. Wada on a guided tour through the space, where she will share stories about the region’s history and culture and the artists behind the works on display. Lean in close to observe the intricate details, or step back to take in the works as a whole. Take time to sharpen your senses and fully appreciate the interplay between the artworks and the space itself. Enjoy the relaxing calm to your heart’s content.
| Tour Code | GOKN02 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 9:00-, 10:00-, 11:00-, 12:00-, 13:00-, 14:00-, 15:00-, 16:00- Closed on Tuesday unless it is a national holiday ※Tours are scheduled by request. Please submit your preferred dates at least 5 days in advance. We will check availability and get back to you. |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Schedule | * When the program starts at 10:00:
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| Recommended Spots |
Located in the middle of Kunimi Gallery Street, La Paloma is a pottery and glass workshop run by a family of three. Closed: Tuesdays. Kunisaki Katachi Pottery Studio/Minatsuchi Pottery Cafe This studio, located about 10 minutes by car from Kunimi Gallery Street, creates ceramic works using local materials. The gallery is open on Fridays, and the cafe is open on weekends. Another Time XX. Permanent installation by Anthony Gormley for the Sento Project About 15 minutes by car from Kunimi Gallery Street, this installation features an iron statue weighing approximately 700 kg situated on a steep rocky outcrop that was once a place for ascetic training. It also offers a spectacular view of the Kunisaki Peninsula. |
| Language | Japanese |
| Participants | Minimum 1 / Maximum 10 |
| Meeting Place | Touinryo
2017 Kunimimachi Imi, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture By Car: About 3 hours from Hakata Station (Fukuoka); about 45 minutes from Usa Station. You may use the free parking lot in front of the building. |
| Reservation Deadline | Up to 7 days prior to experience
|
| Payment Method | Advance payment by credit card (VISA, Master, Amex, JCB) using a form once the request has been confirmed. |
| Attire | Please note that there are areas where you will need to take off your shoes during the tour. |
| Notes |
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| Cancellation Policy |
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Travel Planning: Implementation
- （一社）豊の国千年ロマン観光圏
- 〒874-0926 Oita, Beppu, Kyomachi 11-8
- TEL. 0977-85-8511MAIL. jikuhaku@millennium-roman.jp
- Business Hours:
Monday-Friday8:30～17:00 Closed Weekends and holidays - ※Requests received via email outside of our business hours will be processed as if received on the next business day.
Sales
- UNA Laboratories Inc. (Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration #2-951)
- 3-12-22-302 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0022
- TEL: 092-982-7956E-MAIL: tour@unalabs.jp
- Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors:
Aya Tamura, Noriko Yahata, Rei Watanabe - Business Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays) - *Requests received outside of business hours will be processed the following business day.
- *Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors are responsible for transactions held at the sales office that processes customers’ travel. Please do not hesitate to contact the aforementioned Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding the travel contract.
Tour Information
- Dates
- 9:00-, 10:00-, 11:00-, 12:00-, 13:00-, 14:00-, 15:00-, 16:00-
Closed on Tuesday unless it is a national holiday ※Tours held by request
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Recommended Age
- None
- Price
- 2,000yen (tax included)
- Remarks
- * A drink is included in the tour (choose from (nodate-style coffee, green tea, or
soft drinks)