川は呼んでいる
WAZAO & Freshwater fish

Objective of this cloud funding(*) is to support the exhibition “WAZAO & Freshwater Fish” to be held on September 21, Saturday through 29, Sunday at “Uptown Koenji Gallery.” Exhibition is to call for financial support but in addition, promote the idea, raise awareness, have as much visitors as possible.

(*Token of appreciation delivery limited to Japan only.)

Core idea of the exhibition will be “WAZAO” which is registered as Japan Traditional Craft. Through my uncle’s experience treasuring WAZAO for many years, being closely attached with nature, their wish is to redefine the value of traditional craftsmanship. Promote richness of the “river” and “freshwater fish” through illustrator/noblest Kenji Motoyama’s art. Let us start from referring to essay written by Kenji Motoyama.

Unforgettable River(*)
By: Kenji Motoyama

In out-door life, campsite mostly will be the river bank. We sense the river flow, and reed bush creating a sound of leaf made by the wind from the river.
Near the river, you are able to encounter variety of beautiful and mysterious effect created by nature - Japanese wingnut hanging like a thread creating a circle of light glittering on the water, smoky air from rain, thick fog covering like a theater curtain, heavy rain hitting the river causing the muddy flow. Crystal clear cold water, you see sand dancing in the bottom of the river, when sun goes down, the light causes the surface of the river to shine beautifully like a diamond.
When bonfire is prepared, fisher returns. He calmly sits beside the bon fire, passes the campus bag filled with water. Opening the bag, you see the char just fished from the river. Pale white dots, little smaller than 20cm, a skinny char with big head.
Big charming eyes makes him look cute. Slightly red skin with touch of green, thin fin out of his vomer to his side stomach. Breast fin looks like the white shirts showing from the jacket of stylish man. Under the tail fin you see a bright red stroke.

*Reference: “Pictorial Book of River” published by Tokyo Shoseki

  Uncle deeply affected by the richness of the river has been enjoying fishing and collecting many WAZAO as their hobby. Both has reached 80 and 88. “We plan to retire from fresh-water fishing and would like to pass over our WAZAO we use, the authentic Japanese craftmanship, the treasure of Japanese art to next generation.”

Visited to see the actual WAZAO, their passion and memory of river never ended. Their first fishing was in farm pond of Okayama where they evacuated during the war. When they returned to Tokyo after the war was over, hole made by the bomb turned into aquatic biotope where they could fish crucian carp. Also told us about Mizumoto’s small reservoir, and fishing pond in Negishi where it used to be the marshy place.

Boy who was fond of fishing, as they grow, went fishing to various river.As they get to know more, started to use different type of fishing lod depending on the kind of fish they wish to catch.

  Reference from “WAZAO Dictionary” written by fifth descendant Eiichi Matsumoto Tosaku Sao Shop in Inaricho, Taito ward.

"WAZAO is Japan unique fishing lod made from bamboo and lacquer, it is the perfect piece of art."

It also says that

"Why should we give attention to WAZAO now? The basis of this is the gradually evoking trend, not just nostalgies, but is an immediate necessitous to re-examine what it means to “fish."

  Then asked uncle what the charm of fishing with WAZAO is. They say “the interaction with fish.” For example, fishing sweetfish using sweetfish, the live decoy, WAZAO will be much heavier than that of lod made of carbon. When fishing, the total weight will be quite tough, WAZAO in addition to 2 fish, sweetfish fished and the live decoy, sometimes fisher will be pulled hard towards the stream.

Cousin who knows the modern fishing taught me about the sinker. Now a days, when fishing in the sea for 120m depth, you use 120 sinker, but the traditional lod, maximum sinker was either 4 or 5.

This proves the method of fishing, which is battle of strength and patience, fish vs human being. To curve the pole in ideal angle, many layers of craftmanship was done on bamboo, which makes it beautiful and artistic.

Copywriter Segawa-san expressed the charm of WAZAO, as “how many you fished does not matter, joy is to simply have fun exploring how to control WAZAO.”

  At the “WAZAO & Freshwater fish” exhibition in September, we will exhibit different pole specialized by type of fish to fish; Redfin Dace/Pale Bleak, Plae Bleak/Char, Sweetfish, Hellabna, Shiner, lod for stream fishing, lod for cod in fishing pond, freshwater prawn.

Also spotlighted to materials related to fishing such as BIKU, TAMA TSUNA. The famous tea ceremony master Rikyu used BIKU as a vase for flower arrangement. WAZAO and Japanese fishing item is quite unique as an interior, too. We will also exhibit ideas to enjoy it as an interior.

Another highlight of the exhibition will be Kenji Motoyama’s illustration and wood carving. We will introduce lives in upper stream, middle stream and downstream.

Exhibition Detail:

Date:September 21, Saturday – 29, Sunday
Time: 11:00-19:00 (last day to be closed at 18:00)
Venue: Uptown Koenji Gallery (Koenji Minami 3-23-16)
Admission: Free
Cloud Funding site URL: https://motion-gallery.net/projects/wazao and freshwaterfish
Token of appreciation will be various item designed by Kenji Motoyama. Please see detail of the item on site.(*)

Latest activity report:

Theme song for the exhibition is made. To call for funds, song is on YouTube and also shared on special site. Plan to hold the live show, too.

RIVER KING

Lyric:Tetsuji Hamada
Composer:Juichi Sase
Singer:Chikuwabu

Birds singing in the forest

Under the tough flow of mountain stream

Swimming as he wish

Yes, you re the River King

For generation after generation

No one can catch you, behind the rocky stretch

Living for century, that phantom

People call him God

River King River King

Notorious master

River inviting to challenge the God of mountain stream

River calling to challenge

Before the bird wakes up

Let’s go fish River King

I’ll be there, just stay still

Ready for challenge, smile Fishing Boy

Buddy WAZAO and secret trap

Gonna fish you today

River King River King

Long waiting Phantom Fish

River King River King

Notorious Great Fish

RAKUGO performance story related to river. Also, Perform “Izakaya” well known rakugo of 3rd Sanyutei Kimba about fishing expert. (Performed by the aid of Sirara Tatekawa)

Meeting on “river” as the main theme was held. Detail also available through YouTube and Special site.

“WAZAO & Freshwater fish” exhibition will start on September 21, Saturday! Your support and contribution is highly appreciated.