Analyses of Student-Led Traditional Events in Rural Areas

The need for outside support to implement traditional events in rural areas is growing, as many events are now facing the risk of disappearing due to a shortage of implementers. In terms of the participation of outsiders, surveys focusing on awareness of outsiders and residents have been conducted. However, surveys about feasibility focusing on the process of preparation and implementation of the event by outsiders have not been conducted. Therefore, this study examines whether outsiders can play a role as performers in traditional events in rural areas by looking at their role in the event process, including arranging food, preparation, cleanup, and so on. In this study, we conducted interviews and participant observation of a traditional Buddhist event, Hoon-ko, which each house in the Shiramine area of Hakusan City, Ishikawa prefecture, carried out. We then compared two cases of the event : an ordinary family and a university student organization, and identified issues that arose when the event was implemented by outsiders. For the ordinary family, it was found that procuring foodstuffs and securing the manpower and skills necessary for preparation were critical problems in implementing Hoon-ko. In the case of outsiders, the student organization secured the required number of people for preparation, but could not secure skilled individuals to procure foodstuffs and prepare them. Therefore, it was considered that it is difficult for outsiders to immediately become successors of the traditional event ; of key importance is the need to acquire the necessary skills and create a system for keeping them in the group.