- 著者
-
菊池 理予
林 圭史
渡瀬 綾乃
- 出版者
- 東京文化財研究所
- 雑誌
- 無形文化遺産研究報告 = Research and Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage
- 巻号頁・発行日
- no.14, pp.79-99, 2020-03-31
Tororo-aoi(黄蜀葵:Abelmoschus manihot)is a plant similar to okura that produces a yellow flower. Viscous liquid extracted from its root is called “neri” and has been used in the production of handmade Japanese paper. In April 2019, it was reported that the manufacture of tororo-aoi will be terminated. This report brought about fear among persons concerned that it will no longer be possible to obtain tororo-aoi. In the present study, then, the present condition of the manufacture of tororo-aoi and its system in Omitama-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture were explored and the reasons for the decrease in its manufacture was debated. In addition, by searching into the question of how much handmade paper has been protected as a cultural property of Japan ever since the enactment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, the necessity for the protection of the technique of manufacture of its raw materials is considered. As a result, the following has been made clear. First, tororo-aoi is clearly noted as one of the designated conditions for the manufacture of handmade Japanese paper, which is an important intangible cultural property. Second, Mr. Uekubo Ryoji, a manufacturer of misu paper who is selected as a holder of the technique for the manufacture of handmade Japanese paper for mounting, and Mr. Ebuchi Eikan, a manufacturer of paper for restoration, both manufacture handmade paper using tororo-aoi. Stable procurement of raw materials is necessary for the continuance of the technique. In the system of distribution of tororo-aoi in the 1950s there was a group of people called “neriya” who dealt with the buying of seeds and acted as “go-betweens” who were entrusted by the neriya. These go-betweens encouraged and guided the manufacture of tororo-aoi and were engaged even in the transport and testing of the materials. The existence of neriya was effective in the maintenance of the quality of tororo-aoi. But such a system no longer exists, and today a farmer sends the product to Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) which in turn sends it to groups or individuals engaged in the manufacture of handmade paper. Tororo-aoi rots easily so that by the time it reaches the paper manufacturer, there is bound to be loss due to damage. For stable procurement, some measures should be taken in the system of transport so that damage will not occur. Furthermore, there are some processes in the cultivation of tororo-aoi that cannot depend on machinery and must be done by hand. Even though it costs manpower, the manufacture of tororo-aoi alone does not bring so much income as to make it a livelihood. It has also become clear that since tororo-aoi cannot be cultivated on the same land successively, a farm needs to have a large piece of land to produce tororo-aoi consecutively. In the present circumstances, other products require less work and can bring in as much profit. In other words, the continuance of the manufacture of tororo-aoi currently depends much on the intention of the persons manufacturing. It is thought that a new system of support is necessary for the stable manufacture of tororo-aoi. Persons concerned currently sincerely wish the local governing bodies and people associated with JA to have a correct understanding of the importance of tororo-aoi and the significance of the fact that it is being manufactured in Omitami-shi today. Active discussion toward protection is necessary in the future.