The Last Thatch Roof Craftsman in Gunma — A Story of Skill, Time, and Survival, Kayabuki Igarashi

Описание: The Last Thatch Roof Craftsman in Gunma — A Story of Skill, Time, and Survival

This video documents the life and craft of the last remaining thatched-roof craftsman in Gunma, Japan.

He entered the family trade at 33,
enduring what he describes as “years of hardship” under his strict uncle —
after his father retired suddenly due to illness.

At that time, eight thatchers worked in Gunma.
Today, none remain.

“If you master our way of doing things, you’ll never be ashamed anywhere in Japan.”

Those words, passed down through generations, shaped a unique local style of thatching —
a technique subtly different from what you find in other regions,
rooted deeply in the land, climate, and people of Gunma.

In this interview, he shares over 30 years of experience:
the structure of a thatched roof,
the process of repairing decades-old buildings,
and the small, ingenious techniques that only craftsmen know.

This is not just the story of a roof —
but the story of a culture that could disappear without someone to carry it on.

0:15 — The Only One Left in Gunma
His father’s retirement, strict training under his uncle, and the shrinking community of craftsmen.

1:13 — Materials, Regions, and How Thatching Differs by Place
Why long grasses are chosen, how aging roofs are restored, and how each region once had its own methods.

1:50 — How Thatch Is Secured: Wires, Bamboo, and the “Taruki” Structure
A detailed look into the cooperative work between inside and outside workers.

2:50 — Why New Thatched Houses Cannot Be Built Today
Permits, regional regulations, and the uniqueness of his “family style.”

3:46 — Maintenance Cycles for Cultural Properties
20-year partial repairs, 15-year full replacements, and why “covered” wood fails.

4:22 — How Materials Were Obtained in the Past vs. Now
Mountain harvesting, barley-straw culture, and the impact of modern agriculture.

5:10 — Tools, Blades, and a Craftsman’s Subtle Techniques
Why he never uses clippers, why the blade must “twist,” and how fatigue tells him when to sharpen.

7:31 — Inside the Roof: Structure and Local Terms
Sasu, naka, ridge beam, decorative bamboo — and how each protects the roof.

9:44 — Repairing a Century-Old Barn Shifted by Heavy Snow
A look at how time warps buildings and complicates roof angles.

#ThatchRoof #JapaneseCraftsmanship #TraditionalArchitecture
#EndangeredCrafts #VernacularArchitecture #CulturalHeritage
#CraftDocumentary #JapanCulture #RuralJapan #Gunma
#LivingTraditions #MasterCraftsman #OldJapaneseHouse #LostArts
#HeritagePreservation #ArtisanDocumentary