On the 28 of October 2021, a study tour was conducted as a practical training class of “The Tatara and the modern steel manufacturing”. “The Tatara and the modern steel manufacturing “is one of the subjects that consist of “Human Resources Development for manufacturing program “which is a minor program of human resources development project designated for undergraduates.

Annually, the students attending this class experience ancient Tatara steel manufacturing at Wakou museum in Yasugi city, however, it was not possible due to Covid-19 this year neither, so we organized a study tour by bus instead and visited several places related to ancient Tatara.

For this study tour, there were almost 50 applicants, then 7 students were selected randomly and attended the tour. In the morning hours, the students visited the Wakou museum, and Mr. Omura, the president of the museum showed them around. After that, they experienced metal processing by making a paper-knife from a nail.　

In the afternoon, they visited the Kanayago shrine where the god of Tatara is enshrined. They met Mr. Abe, the chief priest of the shrine and received an explanation about the shrine. After that, they took a tour of the Museum of History and Folklore.
Finally, they moved to see the area of  “Sugaya Tatara Sannai”. The area where the people worked for Tatara had lived or worked has been called “Sannai”.The students were able to receive an explanation from Mr. Asahi, the director and observed the only existing “Takadono*” in Japan. *"Takadono” refers to the style of building which has the furnaces that used to used for steel manufacturing back in that time.

A student reviewed saying “It was a great experience to hear the story from the people who know about ancient people’s lives and villages and lived close to actual Tatara.”Another student said, “It was surprising to know this is the place where the model for the famous movie Princess Mononoke". It seems that this practical training was interesting, and it was a great opportunity for them to understand the elements of Tatara, and feel the history by going on site.

Contact
Next Generation tatara Co-Creation Centre