The outdoor craft fair "7th Craft Komichi 2019" will be held on October 5th and 6th in Itayanagi, Aomori Prefecture.

The fair has more than 120 writers from all over the country and 14 restaurants centered on the local area. The venue will be the "Central Apple Mall", which is a 2.1 km long walking path in the center of Itayanagi. Shuhei Yasuda, the chairman of the event, said, "It's like walking in a country town in Europe. I want more people to know about it."

The executive committee secretariat staff Miyo Yasuda and Shuhei are potters who have a workshop in Ajigasawa. He is also one of the founders of the craft fair "C-POINT" held in Ajigasawa from 2001 (Heisei 13) to 2010 (Heisei 22), and from 2013 (Heisei 25) "Craft Komichi" is held every year. became.

It was said that there was the Great East Japan Earthquake behind the event. “At the time of the earthquake, both of us were in Thailand. We could only know the situation in Japan from TV, but even Thais who did not know said, “Is my family all right?” I felt frustrated myself when I couldn't do anything inside," Miyo said.

"Each person had different thoughts, such as those who immediately went to the disaster area and those who provided support over a long period of time. "I thought about this event to introduce even a little."

The venue will be set up by the executive committee only in the workshop space, and the artists will be set up in the morning of the day. "By exhibiting at the places where the artists like each other, we not only create surprises, but there are also new encounters between the works," says Shuhei.

A "Komichi Cafe" will be opened at the central eastern store near Itayayanagi Town Hall. 100 pieces of coffee (300 yen) to be enjoyed by the artist's cup and 100 sets (500 yen) with original sweets offered by Angelic (Aomori City) will be prepared each day. Inside the store, there will also be an original display of the poster character "Komichi-chan" of the event.

According to Miyo, illustrator Yukiko Doi from Itayanagi, who was in charge of the illustration of "Komichi-chan", thinks about the story of the character, and if you compare the past 7 works, you can see the growth of "Komichi-chan". .. "Komichi-chan, who came to the craft fair alone, had a lover, got married, and had a family. This time, the illustration shows that she is in the store."

This year, there will be an exhibition from Thailand for the first time in 3 years. Shuhei said, “When I was in Thailand, I worked for a deaf school. I had two exhibitions in the past, but the students also visited and prepared Thai mobiles. I still don't know if it will come. I am looking forward to it as well."

"Craft small diameter" will be the last this year. Mr. Shuhei says, "It was possible because of the cooperation of many staff members and the smiles of all the visitors. I want to finish it for 7 years as an event that can connect the seven rainbows to the next".

Holding time is 5th = 10am to 4pm, 6th = 9am to 6pm. On both days, there will be parking lots at three locations, and each station will stop and operate two types of express loop wagon cars. Free ride.