Connecting Brittany, France, and Keihoku, Kyoto
Day 6: Forest Wisdom and Artisan Traditions
June 20, 2025
After an evening barbecue and a good rest, French students from Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec were deep into the mountainous forests of Keihoku, where traditional Japanese craftsmanship and sustainable forestry practices converge. The fourteen participants, 10 students, 3 educators, and 1 program coordinator, embarked on an immersive exploration of artisan traditions that have shaped rural Japanese communities for centuries.
Forest Exploration with Master Lumberjack Mamoru Tonoshita
Exercise of the day was the forest walk with master lumberjack Mamoru Tonoshita who has tons of experience capturing the spirit of the Japanese craftsmen nature bond relationship. The students saw the traditional selective logging practices where only some trees are cut such that the forest ecosystem is preserved while quality timber is supplied to local craftsmen and artisans. Unfortunately, the most used wood in Japan is imported one, which is less expensive, and not Japanese one.
The students also learned about construction, furniture making and the different species of cedar from Japan. They also learned about the attitude of Japanese artisans who value wood earned through elevation, soil composition, and climate instead of taking imported cheaper wood.
Sabazushi Making Workshop
The expedition continued with a sabazushi preparation workshop, where students learned the meticulous techniques required to create Sabazushi, the traditional pressed mackerel sushi. Local culinary artisans guided participants through the multi-stage process of executing precise cooking methods, and achieving the delicate balance of flavors that characterizes authentic sabazushi.
Students discovered the historical context of this fish preparation, where it comes from and how the preparation steps have been kept through the years. The preparation required mastering several interconnected skills: proper fish filleting, salt-curing techniques that concentrate flavors while preserving texture, and the precise vinegar treatment that both preserves and enhances the mackerel’s natural taste.
Students experienced the making of Sabazushi, removing all fishbones and skin, put the rice on it, then press through a bamboo leaf and even the way to cut nicely this sushi.
Murayama Woodcraft Atelier
The afternoon visit to Murayama Woodcraft showed students the preservation of traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. Master craftsman Mr.Murayama welcomed the group into his workshop, where the atmosphere was characterized by focused work and the subtle sounds of hand tools against wood that had remained unchanged for centuries.
Students observed the collection of traditional hand tools, each designed for specific woodworking applications and maintained with meticulous care. Mr. Murayama‘s explanations revealed how craftsmen develop their special techniques to use patterns on circular wooden objects.
ROOTS Tehen Facility Introduction
The students then took a walk and explored the ROOTS tehen facility to discover contemporary applications of traditions. This innovative space demonstrates how ancient concepts of community gathering, natural harmony, and sustainable building practices can address modern ecological challenges while preserving cultural authenticity.
Students could see a house before ROOTS renovation and after so that they see what really makes the difference and how a house can keep its ancient charm with more comfort. They also learned about the tehen (hand-built) philosophy that emphasizes human connection to natural materials and construction processes. Every structure utilized local cedar harvested through the sustainable methods they had observed earlier, creating tangible connections between forest ecosystem and human habitat. The facility’s design showcased sustainable human-environment interaction that creates mutually beneficial relationships.
French Architectural Innovation
The last meeting was with Mélanie Heresbach and Sébastien Renauld, French architects operating under the collaborative name 2M26, who have successfully integrated into Keihoku’s artisan community. Their presence exemplified successful cultural exchange, demonstrating how foreign perspectives can enrich local traditions while respecting established practices. The students were surprised to meet French people in a remote location and to discover how their interest for Japanese carpentry and architecture made them come to Japan.
Students were guided through the property blending French design sensibilities with Japanese joinery techniques and material selection. The workshop, nestled within the cedar forests that provide their primary materials, serves as a laboratory for cross-cultural creativity that honors both traditions while creating innovative solutions. They could also see a lot of animals in the architect’s garden.
2M26 worked together with ROOTS on the tehen outdoor sauna. It shows how collaborative projects can produce designs that transcend cultural boundaries while remaining authentically rooted in local materials and techniques. The architects’ successful integration into Keihoku’s community provided powerful examples of respectful cultural engagement that contributes to keeping local traditions.
With the day’s experiences still fresh in their mind, students reflected on what they had seen and felt, how craft, nature, and identity are woven together. Encounters with artisans sparked conversations about tradition, innovation, and the power of cultural exchange. What stayed with them wasn’t just what they learned, but how it made them think differently and how they can bring back their vision in France.
Writer: Mathieu Fonseca
Thanks to: ROOTS, Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec, Mrs. Hayakawa (coordinator and interpreter)
Special thanks to sponsors: Fondation franco-japonaise Sasakawa (日仏笹川財団), la caisse des péris en mer, Hénaff, Penmarch city, Loctudy city
Want to know more about the rest of the trip ? Click on the button below !