Special Event to Showcase the Charms of Saga Prefecture Products at "sagair" in Kyushu Saga International Airport!
A special event will be held at "sagair" in Kyushu Saga International Airport to showcase the appeal of Saga Prefecture products. The event will feature live demonstrations and special exhibitions of Furumen masks by Nakahara Keiho Studio, a POP UP shop for Arita ware small plates, and sales of limited edition items and takeout drinks by a local cafe, promoting the region's traditional crafts and food culture.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 22:53
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Saga Prefectural Products Distribution Design Public Corporation (Location: Saga City, Director: Noriko Ishii), which operates the souvenir shop "sagair" inside Kyushu Saga International Airport, will hold a special event to provide an opportunity for people to experience the charm of Saga Prefecture products, coinciding with the homecoming season. During the period, there will be live demonstrations and special exhibitions of Furumen masks by "Nakahara Keiho Studio" from Kashima City, as well as a coffee tasting and sales event by "Light gear" from Saga City.
### ① Live Demonstrations and Special Exhibition of Furumen Masks by "Nakahara Keiho Studio" from Kashima City
A special exhibition will be held by "Nakahara Keiho Studio" from Kashima City, which produces various wood carvings, including "Furumen masks," designated traditional local products of Saga Prefecture. The venue will display wood carvings that shine with the craftsman's skill, such as Furumen masks from various regions created so far, hand-carved helmets, and mudskipper figurines, with some items available for sale.
During the event, there will also be live demonstrations of Furumen mask making by a master carver. This is a valuable opportunity to observe the production process of traditional crafts up close, which is rarely seen. You can fully experience the charm of Saga's traditional crafts through the sound of chisels, the delicate techniques unique to hand carving, the warmth of wood, and the refreshing scent of camphor.
1. **Dates and Times**
* Special Exhibition: From Saturday, April 25, 2026, to Sunday, May 10, 2026
* Production Demonstration: For two days, Saturday, May 2, 2026, and Sunday, May 3, 2026
* Scheduled for approximately one hour each at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and around 2:30 PM
* Demonstrator: Mr. Hirokazu Nakahara, Master Carve of Nakahara Keiho Studio
2. **About the Creators**
* **Master Carver Keiho Nakahara**
* Born in 1938. Apprenticed to the late Keu Komori at the age of 15 in 1954, entering the world of sculpture. Became independent in 1975. Received the Saga Prefectural Government Achievement Award in 2017. Recognized as a Saga Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2023.
* This year, he celebrates his 88th birthday and 72 years as a sculptor, and is still actively working.
* **Master Carver Hirokazu Nakahara**
* Born in 1966. After many years as a company employee, he resolved to prevent the techniques of Furumen mask makers from dying out, taking early retirement. He is diligently working on sculpture daily to inherit the skills from Mr. Keiho. He is active in developing both the culture (Menfuryu) and the industry (Furumen masks).
3. **About Menfuryu**
* "Menfuryu," a traditional performing art passed down from ancient times in the southwestern part of Saga Prefecture, is an indispensable dance for bountiful harvests, prayers for rain, and dedicatory rituals, performed vigorously to the rhythm of flutes, drums, and gongs while wearing demon masks.
* There are various theories about its origin, but it is said to have originated from a battle around 1530 in Tatenawate, Kanzaki District (Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture), where a powerful general of the Ryuzoji clan, Heiemon Nabeshima, along with his retainers, wore shakuma (bear hair wigs) and launched a surprise attack, repelling the enemy forces. The dance performed at that time is believed to be its origin.
4. **About "Nakahara Keiho Studio"**
* "Nakahara Keiho Studio" is a workshop in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, that produces various wood carvings, focusing on the traditional craft "Furumen masks." They carefully carve Furumen masks, designated traditional local products of Saga Prefecture, preserving tradition while also challenging new expressions. In addition to Furumen masks, the studio also creates wood carvings that reflect Saga's climate and culture, such as everyday goods that are easy to use. Their works, imbued with the warmth of wood and the skill of craftsmen, are loved by many people.
* Address: 3480-4 Nishimuta, Kashima City, Saga Prefecture
* HP: https://keihokohbo.amebaownd.com/
### ② Commemorative "Arita Ceramics Fair" Small Plate POP UP!
In conjunction with the "Arita Ceramics Fair," a representative event of Saga Prefecture, a POP UP event will be held featuring a collection of small plates with various designs! There will be approximately 100 types of items. Please take this opportunity to visit sagair to find your favorite small plate.
1. **Dates and Times**: From Friday, May 1, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026
### ③ Takeout Drinks and Limited Edition Product Sales by "Light gear" from Saga City
"Light gear" (Light Gear), a team based in Saga City that produces videos and promotes regional charm. Recommended products currently sold at "Otonashi Terrace," a co-working space and cafe operated by the company, will be sold for a limited time. In addition to freshly brewed coffee tastings and takeout drink sales, items that allow you to relax, such as coffee beans and soap, will also be available. You can also enjoy specialty drinks such as chai latte and hojicha latte.
1. **Dates and Times**: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Public Holiday) 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
2. **Products for Sale**
* Otonashi Terrace Original Blend Coffee Beans: 1,200 yen (tax included)
* Coffee Soap: 1,500 yen (tax included)
* Takeout Drinks (Coffee / Chai Latte / Hojicha Latte)
* Hot: 700 yen (tax included)
* Iced: 750 yen (tax included)
3. **About "Light gear"**
* A team based in Saga City that produces videos and creative projects to promote regional charm. They disseminate the charm of the region through planning, filming, and editing.
### ① Live Demonstrations and Special Exhibition of Furumen Masks by "Nakahara Keiho Studio" from Kashima City
A special exhibition will be held by "Nakahara Keiho Studio" from Kashima City, which produces various wood carvings, including "Furumen masks," designated traditional local products of Saga Prefecture. The venue will display wood carvings that shine with the craftsman's skill, such as Furumen masks from various regions created so far, hand-carved helmets, and mudskipper figurines, with some items available for sale.
During the event, there will also be live demonstrations of Furumen mask making by a master carver. This is a valuable opportunity to observe the production process of traditional crafts up close, which is rarely seen. You can fully experience the charm of Saga's traditional crafts through the sound of chisels, the delicate techniques unique to hand carving, the warmth of wood, and the refreshing scent of camphor.
1. **Dates and Times**
* Special Exhibition: From Saturday, April 25, 2026, to Sunday, May 10, 2026
* Production Demonstration: For two days, Saturday, May 2, 2026, and Sunday, May 3, 2026
* Scheduled for approximately one hour each at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and around 2:30 PM
* Demonstrator: Mr. Hirokazu Nakahara, Master Carve of Nakahara Keiho Studio
2. **About the Creators**
* **Master Carver Keiho Nakahara**
* Born in 1938. Apprenticed to the late Keu Komori at the age of 15 in 1954, entering the world of sculpture. Became independent in 1975. Received the Saga Prefectural Government Achievement Award in 2017. Recognized as a Saga Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2023.
* This year, he celebrates his 88th birthday and 72 years as a sculptor, and is still actively working.
* **Master Carver Hirokazu Nakahara**
* Born in 1966. After many years as a company employee, he resolved to prevent the techniques of Furumen mask makers from dying out, taking early retirement. He is diligently working on sculpture daily to inherit the skills from Mr. Keiho. He is active in developing both the culture (Menfuryu) and the industry (Furumen masks).
3. **About Menfuryu**
* "Menfuryu," a traditional performing art passed down from ancient times in the southwestern part of Saga Prefecture, is an indispensable dance for bountiful harvests, prayers for rain, and dedicatory rituals, performed vigorously to the rhythm of flutes, drums, and gongs while wearing demon masks.
* There are various theories about its origin, but it is said to have originated from a battle around 1530 in Tatenawate, Kanzaki District (Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture), where a powerful general of the Ryuzoji clan, Heiemon Nabeshima, along with his retainers, wore shakuma (bear hair wigs) and launched a surprise attack, repelling the enemy forces. The dance performed at that time is believed to be its origin.
4. **About "Nakahara Keiho Studio"**
* "Nakahara Keiho Studio" is a workshop in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, that produces various wood carvings, focusing on the traditional craft "Furumen masks." They carefully carve Furumen masks, designated traditional local products of Saga Prefecture, preserving tradition while also challenging new expressions. In addition to Furumen masks, the studio also creates wood carvings that reflect Saga's climate and culture, such as everyday goods that are easy to use. Their works, imbued with the warmth of wood and the skill of craftsmen, are loved by many people.
* Address: 3480-4 Nishimuta, Kashima City, Saga Prefecture
* HP: https://keihokohbo.amebaownd.com/
### ② Commemorative "Arita Ceramics Fair" Small Plate POP UP!
In conjunction with the "Arita Ceramics Fair," a representative event of Saga Prefecture, a POP UP event will be held featuring a collection of small plates with various designs! There will be approximately 100 types of items. Please take this opportunity to visit sagair to find your favorite small plate.
1. **Dates and Times**: From Friday, May 1, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026
### ③ Takeout Drinks and Limited Edition Product Sales by "Light gear" from Saga City
"Light gear" (Light Gear), a team based in Saga City that produces videos and promotes regional charm. Recommended products currently sold at "Otonashi Terrace," a co-working space and cafe operated by the company, will be sold for a limited time. In addition to freshly brewed coffee tastings and takeout drink sales, items that allow you to relax, such as coffee beans and soap, will also be available. You can also enjoy specialty drinks such as chai latte and hojicha latte.
1. **Dates and Times**: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Public Holiday) 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
2. **Products for Sale**
* Otonashi Terrace Original Blend Coffee Beans: 1,200 yen (tax included)
* Coffee Soap: 1,500 yen (tax included)
* Takeout Drinks (Coffee / Chai Latte / Hojicha Latte)
* Hot: 700 yen (tax included)
* Iced: 750 yen (tax included)
3. **About "Light gear"**
* A team based in Saga City that produces videos and creative projects to promote regional charm. They disseminate the charm of the region through planning, filming, and editing.