雪国・十日町市の信濃川を東に望む山間に、すり鉢状の地形に囲まれた鉢（はち）集落はあります。鉢集落は、住民のほぼすべての皆さんが“尾身”という姓です。2000年の第1回「大地の芸術祭」で一番に手を挙げ、作家を受け入れた集落でもあります。外からの来訪者を暖かく迎え、いつも結束して集落の未来のために力を合わせています。

Hachi village is located in the midst of mountains which gives a landscape shaped like an inverted cone, overlooking the Shinanogawa River to east in Tokamachi-city. Most of the villagers share the same family name, Omi. It was the first village which welcomed an artist during the first iteration of ETAT in 2000. They always warmly receive visitors from outside and work together for the future of the village. 

鉢集落の頂には史跡「鉢の石仏」があり、神仏混合の200体以上の石仏が奉られています。長年、住民によって大切に守られています。季節ごとに行われるお祭りや小正月行事など、代々受け継がれてきた文化も継承されています。11月には「秋ぶるめ」という収穫祭が、絵本と木の実の美術館の体育館で開かれ、集落で育てられた元気な野菜の販売、餅つきやけんちん汁販売などが行われます。

At the top of the Hachi village is a historic site “Stone Buddha of the Hachi” where more than 200 of stone statues mixed with gods and Buddha are enshrined. They have been carefully looked after by villagers for many years. The culture that has been passed on for generations such as seasonal festivals and the first full moon event of the year continues to be part of the village life. In November, a harvest festival called “Aki-burume” is held at the gymnasium space at Museum of Picture Book Art and locally-grown fresh vegetables, mochi and kenchin-jiru are available for purchase.

絵本と木の実の美術館開館当初から今まで、集落をあげてさまざまな場面でご協力をいただいています。開館前と閉館前に行う大掃除や雪囲い作業、ヤギのエサの調達、カフェに飾る花も集落からいただきます。3年に1度のトリエンナーレでは、受付やカフェでのお手伝いもお願いしています。美術館を通して鉢の住民との交流が生まれ、その笑顔に会うために、第2の故郷として通い続けている方も少なくありません。

Museum of Picture Book Art has been supported by the village in every respect including a large-scale cleaning before the opening and after the closing of the museum, setting up snow protection before winter and sourcing feed for goats and flowers for the café. Villagers also help with welcoming visitors at the door and café during the triennale which takes place once every three years. The museum facilitates exchange between villagers and visitors and quite many people regard this place as their second home where they can see smiles of the villagers.