Thatched houses have existed in Japan for at least 5,000 years, but today they¡¯re found only in a handful of villages across the country. As a young man, Haruo Nishio, now 51, moved to rural Miyama in the mountains north of Kyoto to become a thatcher. Against all odds, he mastered this ancient craft and launched his own business, renting traditional rural homes and sharing his devotion to thatched houses. His book, ¡°,¡± is available on Amazon.
1. When did you move to Miyama?In 1994, after graduating from university in Kyoto, I moved to Miyama to apprentice as a thatcher. When I was a student, I couldn¡¯t imagine myself wearing a suit and belonging to a company. I had a vague idea that I wanted to live in the countryside and work with my hands. I had no money, no special abilities; only motivation and physical strength. I (saw) an article on apprenticeships for thatchers. (It) said that in Miyama there were only two craftsmen, in their 60s, who didn¡¯t have any successors. I instantly decided to go.
2. Did your family support your decision? No one agreed with me. My friends and relatives all said, ¡°Are you stupid? Thatching is going to disappear, why would you choose this career after graduating from university?¡± My father got me a job offer from an insurance company, but I turned it down and came to Miyama instead.
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