Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture announces determination to exhibit at Japan Expo [Kitanihon Shimbun, Toyama Shimbun, Hokkoku Shimbun]

2017-06-07

Mayor Oyabe encourages exhibitions for 2 consecutive years

On 2017/5/25 (Thursday), at a regular press conference held at Oyabe City Hall in Toyama Prefecture, Oyabe CityJapan Expo Paris “WABI SABI Pavilion”We have announced our exhibition at
The local characters Mergiu-kun and Melmomo-chan have been to France for 2 consecutive years as special tourism envoys for Oyabe City. I expressed to Mayor Sakurai Morio my determination not only to the appeal of Oyabe City, but also to disseminate information on Toyama Prefecture and the “Japanese” culture of Japan to the whole world and endeavor to promote tourism in Oyabe City.

In response to this, the mayor of Sakurai said, “Let's do our best to disseminate the appeal of Oyabe City!” I raised my fist and encouraged them both.
This expression of determination filled the pages of various companies such as the Kitanihon Shimbun, Toyama Shimbun, and Hokkoku Shimbun the next day.

＞＞Go to the Kitanihon Shimbun (2017/5/26) article
＞＞Go to the Hokkoku Shimbun (2017/5/26) article

Mergu-kun and Melmomo-chan “I want to spread the word about the city's charms and festivals this year too, Mel!” I commented with enthusiasm.

Mergiu-kun and Melmomo-chan are ancestors “Kagyu” from the Genpei War

A view of the 2016 stage performance. Oyabe City is promoting the “Kiso Yoshinaka-Tomoe Project,” and their brave armor is also appealing.

In 2016, “Mergu-kun and Melmomo-chan” were so popular that they stood shoulder to shoulder with legends in the local character world, such as Kumamon, the head of the advertising department in Kumamoto Prefecture, and Shinjo-kun from Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture.
Their model is a Kagyu who played an active part in the Battle of Kurikara in Genpei. It is derived from the episode “The Kagyu,” where flaming torches were tied to the horns of hundreds of cows and released to the Taira family army due to Kiso Yoshinaka's plan. The enemy team fell into great chaos, and it is said that Genji won an overwhelming victory.

The audience seats were also full. It's also a big topic of conversation on SNS.

At the “Fairy Tale Oyabe Genpei Fire Cow Festival,” which is held every year in late July, an exciting race named after this fire cow's plan is held. In an atmosphere as if they had traveled back in time 800 years, they compete for time by pulling huge cows made of straw. It is the only festival in Japan full of majestic charm.

Fairytale Oyabe Genpei Fire Cow Festival. The sight of a fire cow made of straw galloping through the city is impressive!

“Fairytale architecture” full of exoticism

Inabayama Makino Police Office. Scandinavian mountain hut style inspired by a weather vane and a puffer boy at Kobe's Ijinkan.

What amazes everyone when visiting Oyabe City is the number of luxurious Western-style buildings.
In the city, a fairytale building of 35 public facilities such as schools, community centers, and nursing homes was built by 1992 under the policy of “building a building that has cultural value, is familiar with, and is loved by local people.” Currently, it is one of the important tourism resources that claim to be a “fairy tale.”

Mergiu-kun's tummy has a fairytale-like architecture silhouette. While running around my favorite Oyabe, this pattern was created before I knew it.

A close link between traditional industries and local events

sight_andon-790x527 — The Tsuzawa Yodaka Andon Festival is held every year in June.

At the Japan Expo, fantastic scenes with vivid colors and light will be introduced, such as an exhibition of Oyabe's traditional craft “Musha-e Andon,” and photo and video screenings of the “Tsuzawa Yodaka Andon Festival,” one of the traditional events representing Oyabe City.
There is also a workshop where you can experience coloring with Musha-e Andon, and it is expected that many visitors will visit.
We will disseminate the pristine nature of Oyabe City such as Kurikara Pass, Miyajima Gorge, and Mt. Inaba, the peaceful rural landscape, and the highlights of Oyabe City, which is full of historical romance.
Please look forward to the activities of Mergiu-kun and Melmomo-chan in 2017.

The Musha-e Andon coloring workshop is also expected to be a success.

Japan Expo Paris 2017
‍Period: 2017/7/6 (Thu) to 7/9 (Sun)
Venue: Paris, Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center
‍＞＞Japan Expo Official Homepage
‍＞＞Click here for information on exhibiting at the Tradition and Regional Culture Pavilion “WABI SABI”

Consultations and requests for materials regarding exhibitions are being accepted at any time

Please contact us using the form below or via the “Contact Us” email form. The person in charge will reply to you shortly.

◎ To: Japan Promotion Association Japan Expo Exhibition Office
◎ Address: 4th Floor, Ebina Building, 6-18-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
◎ Telephone: 03-5766-2450/Fax: 03-5766-2451
◎ Email: info@japanpromotion.org

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