Gathering traditional children’s games and community building

This study stemmed from an interest how traditional knowledge, memories and experiences held by older generations can contribute to nurturing people and communities. A group of junior-high school students in Ikeda-cho, Fukui Prefecture, where residents over 65 years old comprise 43% of the total population, interviewed elders supported by university students regarding plays and games which those elders used to do in their childhood.

From several writing questionnaires and reports together with interviews, it appeared that the project contributed to the students’ confidence, self-awareness, and academic skills as well as knowledge about their own town and new relationship with people. Many were inspired by not only the plays themselves but also the way of life and how the town was like before.

In addition, the research revealed that the junior-high students do not communicate with adults even in the same area and that they are very concerned about making friends with someone new.

Further investigation is required how to support the youth’s sound development under the current situation through communication with different generations in town.