Saving Kominka, The Endangered Folk House

There are 800,000 traditional buildings in Japan, some hundreds of years old, and the are abandon and being torn down at 10% each year. These incredible structures, forgotten representations of Japan's deep connection to master craftsmanship, will be gone within 10 years.

But not according to our guests, Kunito Niwa and Andrea Carlson, from the Kominka Collective. Int his episode, you will learn about:

• The rich heritage of Kominka and the revival of traditional Japanese building methods through the incredible work of the Kominka Collective.
• The challenges and triumphs of salvaging, preserving, and repurposing materials from old Japanese structures. Keeping the spirit of Kominka alive in North America.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:

🔸 The Art of Salvaging: The process of disassembling old buildings not only involves preserving the beams and structure frames but also unearthing hidden treasures like historical artifacts and notes by long-ago carpenters, showcasing the rich history and craftsmanship of Kominka.

🔸 Engaging in Cross-Cultural Collaboration: The collaboration between skilled individuals in North America and the Kominka Collective provides opportunities to learn and participate in traditional Japanese building methods, fostering a global community dedicated to preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage.

As martial artists dedicated to the traditional Japanese Kobudo disciplines, our appreciation for preserving cultural elements and heritage is paramount. Let's continue the dialogue and work together to honor and perpetuate the legacy of Kominka for generations to come.

If you are interested in the preservation of traditional Japanese architecture and craftsmanship, we welcome you to contact the Kominka Collective through the details below: 

Website: The Kominka Collective, Facebook