"See you again on the island."

The people who meet that day have unexpected encounters. They are reluctant to part from each other at the end of the day and decide to return soon. Let's explore the activities of the Koebi-tai.

The Koebi-tai is a group of volunteers who support the Setouchi Triennale (also known as the Setogei), which is held on various islands in the Seto Inland Sea every three years.

The Setouchi Triennale is held every three years, and the total exhibition period is about 100 days, but it requires an additional 1000 days of thorough preparation. The Koebi-tai underpins the preparations for the Setouchi Triennale during that 1000 days by liaising between artists and the residents of the islands.

The activities of the Koebi-tai, who are always welcoming new members:

First, let's look at three activities that new members are involved in:

(1) Assisting the creation and preservation of works of art

Members help artists create works of art before the exhibition. They also clean and maintain the works of art so that visitors can view them in good condition at all times.

Unexpected encounters, such as greeting island residents or working on things together with them, is a source of delight. When necessary, they clean private homes so they can be used as new venues before artists arrive to start their work.

(2) Show the works of art

Members are receptionists during and outside the exhibition periods and show people the works of art. The work is easy because new members can simply follow the instructions in the manual provided. One of the advantages of sitting behind a reception desk is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where the works of art and the scenery are one, all day.

(3) Help run the restaurants

Members help run the restaurants, including cafe SHIYORU in Oshima and Shima Kitchen in Teshima. They prepare foods, serve customers and wash dishes. A perfect opportunity to learn about the local ingredients and food culture of each island.

Once you are used to these activities, you can participate in other activities that come with greater responsibility.

(4) Help organize events

Members help organize events, such as workshops and concerts, from the start (the set up at the venue) until the end (cleaning up afterward). Each month, they also help organize a birthday party in Teshima to celebrate the people whose birthdays were that month.

(5) Help organize festivals and special events

Members work with the residents of the islands to energize local festivals, including sports days on Megijima and Ogijima, summer festivals and Christmas parties on Oshima, and autumn festivals in Shodoshima. 

(6) Take visitors on tours

Koebi-tai members take visitors on unique tours, sharing amusing stories about the works of art and introducing them to the island residents' ways of life.

(7) Interactions between Koebi-tai members

Gatherings and study meetings are organized for Koebi-tai members. These include the Koebi Meeting held before the exhibition and the Setouchi Banashi, where guest speakers talk about the Seto Inland Sea and the Setouchi Triennale.

(8) Publish the Koebi Newspaper

The Koebi newspaper has a full-time editorial staff who come from many different backgrounds, including backgrounds in local history, design and photography. The editorial staff visit each island to interview residents of the islands and write about their way of life in detail.

Please tell us what you enjoy about being a member of the Koebi-tai!

We interviewed Koebi-tai members to see what they think of the Koebi-tai and why they have decided to participate in it.

"I decided to participate because of my love for art. I wanted to be involved in art more actively instead of just appreciating it. I hope to teach visitors about the allure of these places where works of art and the scenery become one."

"First, I came here as a visitor. I was attracted to the Koebi-tai and later decided to participate in the activities myself. I have helped artists create works of art. I loved it so much that I am now encouraging my friends to join me."

"The advantages of working with artists include learning about their thinking that is not printed in the official Setouchi Triennale guidebook and seeing behind the scenes."

"I cut the grass by the works of art when no visitors were around, which gave me a chance to admire the art closely."

"Just sailing on a ship is refreshing. I enjoy traveling from island to island while helping organize the exhibition."

"I like that the members of the Koebi-tai are people of all ages."

Everyone appears to enjoy working at their own pace.
Isn't it exciting?

Anyone who loves art or islands or wants to help organize the Setouchi Triennale can be a member of the Koebi-tai. You can choose the activities that suit you from the variety of activities the Koebi-tai is engaged in, in line with your physical capabilities.
We also welcome people who live outside Kagawa, including people who live abroad. The encounters that take place between international and Japanese Koebi-tai members transcend language.

Truly valuable things are learned in conversations with the residents of the islands

The Setouchi Triennale was launched in 2010. Ms. Shoko Sasakawa started to work as a volunteer when the Koebi-tai was established in 2009. She started to work as a member of the Setouchi Koebi Network, a nonprofit organization that manages the operation of the Koebi-tai, in 2013.

For many years, she has liaised between artists and the residents of the island of Oshima, one of the venues of the exhibition.

Oshima Seishoen, a national leprosy sanatorium, is on Oshima. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to get there from the Port of Takamatsu via a government-owned ship. In 1907, the Japanese government enacted a law that permitted leprosy patients to be segregated in sanatoriums, which were subsequently established in 1909.
After the Leprosy Prevention Law was abolished in 1996, the number of people visiting Oshima to learn about the history of sanatoriums and human rights has increased.

The Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members was passed in 2008.
It specifies measures to restore the impaired reputation of former patients and open up sanatoriums to local communities. Oshima Seishoen became a venue in 2010, embodying the theme of the Setouchi Triennale, the Restoration of the Sea, and it is a symbol of local communities that see visitors as a source of joy.

Interest in the history of Oshima has grown as more people have started to visit the exhibition venue and learn about leprosy.

Ms. Sasakawa actively talks about the history of leprosy, the daily lives of residents of the sanatorium and things she has experienced as a member of the Koebi-tai when taking visitors on tours.
She hopes to teach visitors about the things that she and other members of the Koebi-tai have learned through their conversations with the people of Oshima, that they have lived on the island by helping each other and constantly looking for joy. 

For example, this big-handled mug was made from local clay following the guidance of a resident of the sanatorium who is good at pottery. Roppoyaki, a dish prepared by a resident of Seishoen who was a pastry chef, was resurrected by an artist in 2010. The new roppoyaki is now prepared by the members of the Koebi-tai.
They have worked hard to shed light on every single aspect of the life on the island so that they can pass on this legacy to artists and tell the stories to visitors.

Ms. Sasakawa said, "I hope to raise awareness of Oshima and increase the number of Oshima fans."
"The members of the Koebi-tai come to Oshima because they love this island. The local people are always delighted when I tell them that they thoroughly learned about the island before leaving."

The Setouchi Triennale is held every three years. And the secret preparations are completed during the 1000 days before the triennale. You, too, can provide them with the light of joy as an energetic member of the Koebi-tai aligned with the residents of the islands. 

How to participate in the Koebi-tai:

People who wish to participate in the activities of the Koebi-tai can apply via their official website.

Koebi-tai:　Official website
https://www.koebi.jp/

How to participate
https://www.koebi.jp/join/

1　Register to receive the Koebi e-newsletter
2　Apply for the activity you wish to participate in
3　You will be notified of the details of the activity by email a few days in advance
4　Come to the meeting place on the day of the activity