Ayumi Shiozawa

Ms. Shiozawa, an administrative staff member, is married to a thatcher who works mainly in Kyoto and Kobe.

Her mother’s family home was originally a traditional thatched-roof house, and she had heard stories about thatching from her mother since childhood. However, her genuine interest began during her student days studying architecture, when she participated in a thatching workshop.

 

“I decided to join because I was curious about the thatchers’ work. But the moment I stepped inside a thatched house we visited, I felt a comforting atmosphere and unique ambiance,” she recalls fondly.

 

About 15 years later, Ms. Shiozawa decided to live in a thatched-roof house in Miyama Town.

“At first, I had some worries, but now I feel happy living here, enjoying views like the steam rising from the roof in the morning sun and the scenery around the eaves every day,” she shares with a smile.

 

She and her family take part in maintaining the roof by cutting thatch nearby and learning to twist ropes for binding. Last year, when part of their roof was repaired, they returned the old thatch to the rice fields as fertilizer, taking a step closer to the ideal cyclical lifestyle centered around thatching.

 

Living in Miyama has deepened her appreciation for the thatchers’ role.

“I truly feel that the presence of the thatchers is essential to preserving thatched roofs. Knowing I can consult them anytime gives me peace of mind.”

Being close to their work daily as an administrative staff member has strengthened her trust in them.

 

Living in a thatched-roof house is not just a choice of home but a way of life.

“To keep this culture alive, it’s important not only for the thatchers but also for residents to work together. I want to take on new challenges involving thatching beyond just roof work.”

 

Her passionate words convey the rich lifestyle and charm that thatched roofs bring.