I am Hijiri Fujishima from Jibunrashiku LLC.
I am involved in public relations and succession issues for an NPO that works to revitalize traditional Japanese crafts. While having multiple jobs often leads people to ask, "What exactly do you do?" I sympathize with the aims of this NPO, and although I am not an expert, I have loved "old things" since I was a child.
At the NPO, I conduct interviews with traditional craft artisans, connect people, photograph workshops and events for public relations, and edit email newsletters.
Through that connection, I had the opportunity to participate in a "gathering that connects people who want to cherish and spread Japanese traditional culture."
On the day, I attended with the NPO representative, who also gave a presentation. To my surprise, many of the participants were young members: university students, people in their 20s, and 30s. This truly made me happy! Everyone was engaged in traditional culture, tea ceremony, and similar activities, working in various ways to preserve traditions and broaden their appeal.
Many participants practiced tea ceremony, and I now really want to start "tea ceremony" myself. I own a "chasen" (tea whisk), but I've never actually participated in a proper tea ceremony. As a Japanese person, this might be a bit embarrassing.
The first meeting was in August, and there will be another gathering in October, so I plan to report again.