A long-established blacksmith in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, which was damaged by heavy rain, reopened its store on the 4th, two years after the heavy rain.
The long-established blacksmith "Minoge Blacksmith", which has been in the center of Hitoyoshi City for about 250 years, is handmade by the 10th generation Minoge Isamu (35), his father Minoru (59), and his grandfather Yu (87). I make kitchen knives, sickles, and outdoor knives.
Due to the heavy rain, the store and home were completely destroyed and forced to be dismantled.
We have been preparing to rebuild the building in its original location, and on the 4th, two years after the heavy rain, we reopened the unit house as a store.
To that end, three people have produced products for sale in a new store at a factory in another location in the city.
This road, which has been over 70 years, was made by hitting hot iron to make the shape of a blade, and after Mr. Isamu shaped it, his father, Minoru, sharpened the knife. It means that it is sharp and can be used for a lifetime if it is well maintained.
On the 4th, when the store opened after a silent prayer at 10 am, many familiar customers living nearby visited the store and celebrated the reopening together.
Then, while chatting, I was buying farm tools such as kitchen knives and sickles.
The chief priest of a nearby temple who came to buy a machete for mowing said, "Reopening is a hope of the area. The blacksmiths are working hard along the street to see the scenery of the area, so it is back to normal. I'm happy. "
Isamu wants to rebuild his home on the same site and move the factory here.
The site is located in the target area of the land readjustment project promoted by Hitoyoshi City, and it is expected that it will take time to relocate due to building restrictions.
However, he wants to rebuild it in the same place in Hitoyoshi City, where many stores are going out of business, in order to regain the liveliness.
Mr. Isamu said, "I feel that the store has been reopened as a congratulations to the old customers. I would like to continue to do my best so that the town can hear the lively sound of the tsuchi with the reopening of the store as the first step. That's it. "