Kanagawa

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A trip to visit the Hakone parquet craftsman’s workshop to experience the culture of Hakone

2021.05.16

A local culture experience where guests can see the rare techniques up close and perform together in collaboration with craftsmen, writers, and producers who inherit the local culture. From June 4, 2021, KAI Hakone will hold a tour to visit the craftsmen’s workshops of traditional crafts, Hakone parquet.

A tour to visit the Hakone parquet craftsman's workshop

Various patterns that make use of the color of wood

Since the opening of KAI Hakone, we will visit the Hakone parquet workshop “Roki Woodworks”, which has been working on the preparation of the guest room “Hakone Parquet Room” and the kaiseki cuisine. Mr. Kiyoshi Tsuyuki, who is the 4th generation, will explain the wood used as the material, and will teach you the process of making it into parquet.

He observes the process of cutting wood, pasting parts of different shades to make patterned parts, combining them, and finally shaving with a canna to make a work. In order to create a beautiful pattern, the elaborate handiwork and the elaborate design of craftsmen who know the characteristics of wood are given.

Experience using craftsman's tools

At the end of the workshop tour, a special canna that craftsmen use “seed wood” that combines parts with various patterns, and a “zuku” pulling experience that carves out patterns with a thickness of 0.2 mm. I will do it. “Zuku” is the basis for finishing a work by pasting it on a wooden product. The scent of wood stands out the moment you shave it, and you can feel the rarity of being able to witness the moment when crafts are created.

Touch Hakone parquet in KAI Hakone

In the guest room “Hakone Parquet Room”, the room key chain and hanging scroll are decorated with parquet design. The large design that boldly utilizes the texture of wood blends in with the scenery of Sukumogawa and Yusakayama, which you can see from the Japanese-style guest rooms and windows.

Parquet is also used for kaiseki cuisine. It features a chic pattern that complements the dishes created by the Rouki Woodworks to match the dishes.

After dinner, you can listen to the history and anecdotes of Hakone parquet, which the staff explains in a picture-story show format, while tasting tea and sweets in the lobby with a Hakone parquet bowl in a program called “Parquet CHAYA”.
You can also experience making a parquet coaster by combining parquet parts in your room.

Mr. Kiyotaka Rouki of Rouki Woodworks

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Born in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. He is the 4th generation of the Rouki Woodworks and is a Hakone parquet technician. Following the flow of the first Kiyoyoshi Rouki, who studied under Nisaburo, the grandson of Nisaburo Ishikawa, the founder of Hakone parquet, he continues to create new parquet that blends into his current life while preserving traditional techniques and techniques.

Since 2012, he has collaborated with Kai Hakone to create original guest room arrangements and kaiseki dishes with his father, Kiyokatsu Rouki, the third generation. Sake sets and bowls made by cutting seeds or grinding them with a potter’s wheel are popular for their sophisticated and modern design.

Outline of "Tour to visit Hakone parquet craftsman's workshop"

Period: June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6
Time: The day after your stay from 10:00 to 12:00
Location: Rouki Woodworks 867-11 Kuwahara, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Dissolution of local assembly)
Price: 5,000 yen per person (tax included, accommodation fee not included)
Contents: Hakone parquet workshop tour, making parquet coasters in KAI Hakone
Capacity: 1 group 1-4 people a day
Reservation: Reservation required from the dedicated page below at least one month in advance * Accommodation reservation is required in advance
Remarks: Please refrain from taking pictures except for some parts when visiting the workshop.

Highest level corona countermeasure declaration

Hoshino Resort Kai Hakone (Hakone Yumoto Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture)
An inn with a river view in all rooms surrounded by nature. You can enjoy a stay where you can experience the beautiful Hakone parquet while being intoxicated by the murmuring of the Sukumogawa River and the magnificence of the towering Yusakayama.
>Hoshino Resort Kai Hakone

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