[Unit Project 1] My Treasure That Sound Music

   My artifact is a music box which is made of glass. It is an angel with a heart in the dome. The size of this is about 20 cm high. Also, this is a little heavy. This plays "It's a Small World" which is well-known Disney song. Also, Tokyo Disney Land has an attraction inspired by it.  The most significant feature of this music box is that it spins and glows when it plays its sound. The music box glows in seven colors.

 

   This music box was given me by my grandmother. This was made in glass workshop in Shibata city, Niigata. There are various types of glassware which is made one by one by skillful artisans. For example, ornament, cup, and dish. Everything in the shop is so delicate and beautiful. I was delighted to see the shop sparkling and shining. When I was little, my parents often warned me,

“Don’t touch glassware too much”.

   I was very active, so they thought I would break glassware. When I found this music box, I was impressed. And I asked my parents to buy it for me. I said, 

“I want this! Please buy!”.

   However, my parents never bought it. They said, “I think you can’t manage this. That’s why I don’t buy it for you.”

   I was very sad. They were right, but I really wanted it. At that time, my grandmother said kindly to me,

“I think you will manage this. I’ll buy it for you!”

   Finally, my grandmother bought it for me and I was very happy!

   I still cherish this. When I feel a little down, I listen to this and it cheers me up.  Also, I have a variety of other glassware in addition to this music box. I want to continue treasure these.

 

   I think I am able to find two aspects of the culture or society from my story. First, it shows that parents care about their children well. In my story, I also find that my parents understand who I am and pay attention to me accordingly. In general, this might be considered normal, but is it really? Sometimes, I see news of small children dying from neglect and abuse. This always makes me so sad. Therefore, I believe that we must help to reduce such incidences.

 

   Also, I believe that, as a social problem, the number of artisans who make glassware is decreasing. Glassware is very delicate and beautiful. However, the number of glass workshop is decreasing, and the number of artisans is aging. This is not only glassware, but this phenomenon is probably occurring in many other fields as well. For example, metalworking workshops. Sanjo and Tsubame areas of Niigata are well known for their skills and prosperity, but the number of metalworking workshops is declining. The reason why new artisans are not being born is that this work is very demanding and takes a long time to become full-fledged artisan. We need to work hard to keep traditional cultures alive. I think there are something we can do it. For example, supporting throughout the region, or teaching and experiencing children. Without the artisans, it is impossible to preserve the traditional. Therefore, it is important to let various people know about it first. I believe we should do them to protect traditional culture.