The
Folk Culture Wonders of Wachi Town Wachi Town is located in the center of Kyoto Prefecture.Wachi is blessed with an abundance of pristine natural surroundings and has a deep folk entertainment culture.
Wachi Joruri: Japanese puppet plays
Joruri,
also known as bunraku, is a special kind of traditional Japanese
theater using puppets. It started in the late Muromachi period (1392-1573)
and became very popular among the common people as an entertainment form
in the Edo period (1600-1868). There are three joruri performance
roles: the shamisen (three strings Japanese instrument) player,
the story teller, and the puppet operators. Usually one puppet is operated
by three men (head, body and leg). However, in Wachi, each puppet is operated
by a single man. Wachi puppets are a little larger than most puppets and
so the puppet master requires more strength. The refined world of joruri
is a harmonious combination of the shamisen player, the story teller,
and the puppet operator. Often during the play, the puppets look as if they
were real people and the skillful operation by the puppet master gives them
a range of facial expressions. Wachi Taiko: drum playing
The origin of drum playing in Wachi dates back to the mid Heian period (794-1185) when a samurai was commissioned by the emperor to rid the mountains in the Wachi area of demons. On his way to battle he was caught in a heavy thunderstorm and had to take refuge in a shrine. When the local people heard of his plans to battle the demons they played their drums for him to give him courage for the battle.
Obata-banzai: comic dialogue
Obata-banzai is a kind of manzai, a comic dialogue. Usually manzai
is performed by two people, one is a fool and the other is straight role.
Obata-banzai is a classic style of manzai performed by three people.
In the performance, one person plays a small drum, one wears hakama
(trouser-like traditional Japanese clothing), and the other plays the shamisen
(a three stringed Japanese instrument). They often base their comic performances
on ad lib dialogues related to local topics. In Wachi, Obata-banzai is being
performed by third generation performers in their 50s or 60s and they are
teaching a younger 4th generation how to carry on.The above three entertainment forms are performed on the last Saturday of every month in Wachi (March 26) at the Traffic Information Center next to Nagomi. The performances begin at 13:30. Entry: ¥300. Each month the date and time may change, so confirm before you go. Tel: 0774-84-1522 (Japanese only).
MICHINO EKI: Road Station
In Nagomi, at a local community center, many of Wachi's local products-sake, vegetables, black soybeans, and processed food like sweets, candy, etc.-are sold to the locals and tourists. The center also has a cafe and restaurant (11:00-18:00) where visitors can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients. Every Wednesday and Sunday morning (8:00-11:00), the market is held and many people visit to get the fresh food or plants. The Nagomi center is open from 8:30 to 18:30, closed on Tue. (closed the following day, if Tue. is a holiday). Tel: 0774-84-1008 (Japanese only)
Wachi Wild Grass Forest
This 12 hectare natural park has rivers, mountains and more than 900 kinds of plants in it. Various crops, like mushroom, apple, chestnuts, edible wild plants, etc. are cultivated here and visitors can harvest them. Also wood craft and pottery can be experienced here (reservations required). Open: 9:00-17:00 (entry by 16:00), closed on Tue. (closed the following day, if Tue. is a holiday). Entry: ¥300 (Ä200 for children). Tel: 0771-84-2041(Japanese only).
To get to Wachi Town, take the Sagano Line from JR Kyoto Stn. to Sonobe Stn. (about 40 min.), then change to a train bound for Wachi Stn. on the Sanin Line (about 40 min.). The Traffic Information Center is 20 min. walk from the station and Wachi Wild Grass Forest is 30 min. walk from the station.