「奥会津」——福島県の内陸部に位置する会津地方でも、ひときわ山深いエリアはそんなふうに呼ばれます。越後山脈と接する豪雪地帯でもあり、冬は深く雪に閉ざされる一方、季節の歩みに即した苧麻（からむし）の営みや、農閑期のカゴやザルなどの編み組細工をはじめ、いまなお風土に根差した手仕事が息づく地域でもあります。2023年秋、この地域に向かう4,500メートルの長大なトンネルが開通しました。「博士トンネル」です。急勾配と急カーブが連なり、冬季には積雪により閉鎖され、奥会津の最奥部、昭和村と山向こうの都市部との障壁をなしてきた「博士峠」のバイパス道路整備の一環として手がけられました。これにより年間を通した救急医療機関へのアクセスが確保され、奥会津での暮らしの質の向上が期待されています。その反面、厳しい自然環境とともに形成されてきた、奥会津ならではの生活文化がこれを機に失われるのではないかと危惧されてもいます。
そうした状況をふまえ、博士トンネルのシークエンスデザインの設計者である韓亜由美さんの企画により、美しく、そして生き生きとした、地域性豊かな奥会津の「いま」を伝えるドキュメンタリー映像詩「水の環」が制作されました。
CREDIT
映像詩『水の環』
監督・撮影・編集：茂木綾子
録音：佐々木直也・石垣星児
音声編集：ウエヤマトモコ
プロデューサー：韓 亜由美
企画･制作：STUDIO HAN DESIGN S.R.L.
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そうした状況をふまえ、博士トンネルのシークエンスデザインの設計者である韓亜由美さんの企画により、美しく、そして生き生きとした、地域性豊かな奥会津の「いま」を伝えるドキュメンタリー映像詩「水の環」が制作されました。
CREDIT
映像詩『水の環』
監督・撮影・編集：茂木綾子
録音：佐々木直也・石垣星児
音声編集：ウエヤマトモコ
プロデューサー：韓 亜由美
企画･制作：STUDIO HAN DESIGN S.R.L.
—
“Okuaizu”—In the inland region of Fukushima Prefecture known as Aizu, the deepest, most mountainous area is called by this name. Situated along the Echigo Mountain Range, it is a region of heavy snowfall, where winter brings deep snow that isolates the area. At the same time, it is a place where traditional crafts and ways of life deeply rooted in the local climate still thrive—such as the cultivation of karamushi (ramie) in harmony with the changing seasons, and the weaving of baskets and sieves during the agricultural off-season.
In the autumn of 2023, a new 4,500-meter-long tunnel was opened, providing a new route into this region—the Hakase Tunnel. This tunnel was constructed as part of a bypass project for Hakase Pass, a steep, winding mountain road that had long been a natural barrier between Okuaizu’s most remote village, Showa Village, and urban areas beyond the mountains. In winter, the pass would be closed due to heavy snow, cutting off access. The tunnel now ensures year-round access to emergency medical facilities, greatly improving the quality of life for the people of Okuaizu.
However, there is also concern that this development may lead to the gradual disappearance of Okuaizu’s unique way of life—a culture shaped by the region’s harsh natural conditions.
In response to this situation, “Water Cycle”, a poetic documentary film capturing the beauty, vitality, and rich local character of Okuaizu today, has been produced under the direction of Ayumi Han, the designer behind the sequence design of the Hakase Tunnel.
CREDIT
Water Cycle
Director, Cinematography, Editing: Ayako Mogi
Recording: Naoya Sasaki, Seiji Ishigaki
Sound Editing: Tomoko Ueyama
Producer: Ayumi Han
Planning & Production: STUDIO HAN DESIGN S.R.L.
In the autumn of 2023, a new 4,500-meter-long tunnel was opened, providing a new route into this region—the Hakase Tunnel. This tunnel was constructed as part of a bypass project for Hakase Pass, a steep, winding mountain road that had long been a natural barrier between Okuaizu’s most remote village, Showa Village, and urban areas beyond the mountains. In winter, the pass would be closed due to heavy snow, cutting off access. The tunnel now ensures year-round access to emergency medical facilities, greatly improving the quality of life for the people of Okuaizu.
However, there is also concern that this development may lead to the gradual disappearance of Okuaizu’s unique way of life—a culture shaped by the region’s harsh natural conditions.
In response to this situation, “Water Cycle”, a poetic documentary film capturing the beauty, vitality, and rich local character of Okuaizu today, has been produced under the direction of Ayumi Han, the designer behind the sequence design of the Hakase Tunnel.
CREDIT
Water Cycle
Director, Cinematography, Editing: Ayako Mogi
Recording: Naoya Sasaki, Seiji Ishigaki
Sound Editing: Tomoko Ueyama
Producer: Ayumi Han
Planning & Production: STUDIO HAN DESIGN S.R.L.