No More Plastic Bamboo!
亀清旅館の後継としてきたのは、伝統的な昔ながらの作りを憧れて、守って行きたいという気持ちでした。その中で、もちろん、直さないといけない所が沢山あるし、ダサくて変えたくてしょうがない所もある。
その一つはコンクリートブロック。亀清もそうですが、日本ではブロック塀が多い事!作るのは楽で良いけど、その後の見た目は誰も考えないのかな?街並みが崩れちゃう。我が宿のブロック塀を年々に壊して、木の塀を作って設置している。見た目は少しずつ良くなってきている。
もう一つのダサい部分は人工竹です。目隠しとしてプラスチック竹の塀は安くて楽だが、それを見て喜ぶ人はいるのかな?
今は家族風呂を作り始まっていますので、その工事の中で前から気になっていたプラスチック竹の目隠しを取り外して、それこそ木造の塀を作って設置する事になっています。このプラスチックバンブーをやっと卒業が出来て、嬉しいです。
木造はコンクリートやプラスチックより人間にどれだけ優しいかと。お客様はきっと喜んで頂けるかな?
When Mari and I moved to Kamesei Ryokan 5-1/2 years to start taking over the business, we inherited an onsen inn with lots of traditional features that we want to preserve. There are, however, tons of things that need fixing, as well as an embarrasingly large amount of places that are ugly and need updating.
One such area is all the concrete block fences. I don't know what it is about Japan and concrete block, but the blemish of block fences is everywhere. Here at Kamesei as well as throughout the country. Granted, they are easy and cheap to build, but doesn't anyone consider how ugly they are? Over the past few years, I have demolished several of Kamesei's block fences and replaced them with hand-made wood ones. There are still many left to replace, but I believe I've made a bit of improvement to the town's overall appearance.
One other area that I am hoping to get rid of is all of the plastic bamboo. Here again, plastic bamboo is cheap and easy to install as screens. But does anyone look at plastic bamboo and think, "Ah, how lovely"?
In the area that we are building our new family bath, there has been a particularly hideous plastic bamboo screen. We have taken it down and will replace it with a wood fence. Finally!!!!
Wood has such a more welcoming feel than concrete and plastic. I am certain our guests will appreciate the improvements!
