Medieval Town Yumegahara recreates the atmosphere of a medieval Japanese town dating back over 600 years! This offers visitors a fascinating immersion in the history and culture of the period. Walking along the paths and exploring the traditional houses, you feel transported back in time. The village also offers craft demonstrations, historical re-enactments and various interactive activities. Among the various houses to be found is the indigo dyeing workshop, using the same methods as in the old days, and growing their own indigo. There are also several ovens for producing your own charcoal and clay bowl. Charcoal is also used in the forge, where a master blacksmith sometimes makes tools.
One such activity is the making of a taketonbo, a small bamboo toy. A centrally symmetrical propeller is carved, so that it can take off in a stable manner when rotated. Once the propeller has been finalized, it is attached to a thinner wooden rod. It's important to understand which way to turn it, otherwise you risk hurting your fingers. With a few adjustments, I managed to make a fairly stable one!
Only, maybe it flew a little too much, so I ended up blocking it on the roof of the Samurai house...
The interior of the house is divided in two. One half is on the ground, and the other half, where we live, is raised 20cm by a wooden platform. This is a means of insulation. The irori (open fire) is located in the center of the room. It is used to heat the room and for cooking. Above the fireplace is the hidana (wooden trellis). It is used to smother the ashes and hang clothes, wood or food to dry. Storage is still above, in an area accessible by ladder. I didn't take any photos of the other side, but it features a stable for the Samurai's horse, as well as a tool for making mochi, rice paste, water storage vases and cooking facilities.
Beyond the market, with its various stalls and craftsmen's workshops, lies the village chief's castle, with its own stable and an outbuilding for the castle's servants. A wooden wall surrounds the complex. The internal layout is similar to that of the house described above.
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