"Kaba-zaiku Featured at Akita Sobun 2026 – Fine Arts and Crafts Division"
On July 19, 2026, the Akita Sakigake Shimpo newspaper featured an article about" the Fine Arts and Crafts Division of Akita Sobun 2026" in its arts and culture section, “Bi wo Shiru” (Discovering Beauty).
Akita Sobun 2026, held from July 26 to August 1, is a major national cultural festival that brings together high school students from across Japan to connect and exchange ideas through art and culture.
In the Fine Arts and Crafts Division, approximately 400 student representatives from throughout Japan gathered in Akita.
As part of the program, they also had the opportunity to experience and learn about Akita’s traditional crafts.
One of the projects introduced in the article involved creating a work that combines kumiko-zaiku with kaba-zaiku,
Kaba-zaiku is one of Akita’s most renowned traditional crafts.
We believe that giving high school students from across Japan the opportunity not only to learn about kaba-zaiku but also to experience the craft firsthand is especially meaningful in passing this tradition on to future generations.
During the newspaper interview, I spoke not only about kaba-zaiku itself, but also about its future and how we can preserve and pass on its techniques and traditions to the next generation.
We have also prepared a video featuring scenes from the interview, including some of the thoughts and stories that could not be fully covered in the newspaper article.
Video Production
Yuma Matsuda, Yokote Jonan High School / Yuriko Miyamoto, Yokote High School / So Obara, Yokote Seiryo Gakuin High School Alumni Association
Narration
Anna Chida, Yokote Jonan High School