The day
Hearing “Izumi Kotaro” in its place
On May 22, 2026, Sugasawa-sensei told the folk tale “Izumi Kotaro” to children from Nanbu Elementary School during their field trip to Butsuzaki Kannonji Temple.
At Butsuzaki Kannonji Temple, figures of Izumi Kotaro and Sairyu remain. Hearing the story while seeing the place and the figures, rather than only reading a book or looking at photographs, helped connect the folk tale with the memory of the land.
Monpe no Kai continues to hand Omachi stories to children at schools and community learning places.
Learning in place
The children listened in the temple grounds while looking at Izumi Kotaro and Sairyu.
Storytelling
Sugasawa-sensei told “Izumi Kotaro” in a way that fit the field trip learning.
Next generation
The visit became a chance for local children to meet a story carried in a familiar place.
