The "space" of Mori, Michi, Ichiba (Forest, Road, Market) signifies both an "atmosphere" (kuki-kan) and a "sense of distance/timing" (ma-ai).
We cherish the atmosphere that can be felt with the five senses—the charm of the land and the changing of the times—as well as the comfortable sense of distance and shifts in heart that arise from the relationships (ma) between people and people, people and nature, people and food, people and art, and people and music.
"Mori, Michi, Ichiba" is an event that balances and harmonizes these "spaces."
In this world, there exist wonderful ideas that we do not yet know or have not yet realized.
"Mori, Michi, Ichiba" adopts a neutral stance to pass these ideas on to the next generation as one of many diverse options.
We hope this will serve as an opportunity for the rediscovery and recognition of local individuality and charm that, while seemingly common everywhere, can only be found in that specific place.
We hope that by feeling what we have come to feel through Mori, Michi, Ichiba, you will find the precious things we have forgotten, and that it will enrich your everyday life.
Excerpt from the Mori Michi Ichiba website
The first time I participated in Mori, Michi, Ichiba was five years ago. At the time, I helped out with the curry shop run by Mr. Shimada of sunday spice, who was still doing mobile sales. It was held at the foot of Mount Sangane, a truly literal "Forest" (Mori) Road Market. Even back then, it was a major topic of conversation among the highly sensitive customers and vendors, and the scene was an incredibly stimulating place.
Shops full of personality lined up, and both the participants and vendors were driven by an increasing desire to explore new things.
That energy has grown year by year; the event moved to a large seaside venue called Laguna Gamagori, and it has now become one of the high-quality events that represents the Tokai region.
This was our third time participating as Earlybirds, including the year before last and last year.
The first year, we teamed up with our comrades "KAKUOZAN LARDER" because we wanted to do something fun. We challenged ourselves by asking what we could uniquely do together. Honestly, that year felt like an incomplete combustion. We were buried by the interesting ideas and actions of the vendors around us, and the fact that we couldn't fully express our identity was a real lesson for who we are today.
The second year, fueled by that reflection and frustration, we wanted to express ourselves with everything we had.
We changed the shop name to "SNEAKS by kakuozan larder & earlybirds breakfast" and resolved ourselves to play in earnest. We gave it everything we had, relentlessly. Mr. Yasui, who handled everything from the design to the construction of our booth, accepted our resolve head-on and built an unbelievably cool shop. We poured our vision of an American fair stall into it.
And this year, we approached it with even more upgrades.
A "shop" is a truly fascinating thing. Place a table in an empty space, set items on it, and have someone stand there, and in an instant, it becomes a "shop."
People gather there, meet, and new connections are born. I feel this sequence of minor miracles every day by standing in my own shop. I am certain that this sequence happened many times during those three days at Mori, Michi, Ichiba as well.
Within our large fortress, we gathered 15 comrades, and each person took responsibility for their duties. It was by no means a site filled only with smiles; every single moment was a tense environment. Everyone adjusted their own gears while working together to provide "delicious meals" to many customers. Even so, the moments where our hearts loosened and we smiled at the occasional mishap or episode were irresistibly fun.
I had meeting after meeting with Mr. Niwa from Larder. The preparation and prep work leading up to the day, scheduling, securing staff, vehicle arrangements, sourcing ingredients, planning the stall with Mr. Yasui... the list is endless. So many things. (Laughs)
If I think about why we go to such lengths to do this, I can't really find a good answer, and if it has to be anything, it might just be because it's "fun."
And I am truly grateful that so many customers were there on the day to respond so solidly to our actions.
Including the minor preparations, we started at the beginning of this year, began full-scale preparations a month prior, and the five days of set-up and tear-down were truly a whirlwind.
When I tell people what we went through to do this, they just smile wryly and ask why, and I think the same thing myself. But when it’s all over, only the thought that it was fun crosses my mind.
I think that's why I want to do it again.
I'm already thinking about concepts for next year, and while I’m not sure if "Sachiko Kobayashi mode" is the right way to put it, expectations around me are already rising. (Laughs)
I really do want to do something that makes everyone smile again.
Please look forward to "SNEAKS by kakuozan larder & earlybirds breakfast," which appears only at the event that is Mori, Michi, Ichiba, again next year.
Cast
・Griddle A: NIWA
・Griddle B: KEITA
・Griddle C: GISHI・MIYUKI・KINU
・Register Girl A: NISHIPAN
・Register Girl B: NAOKA・OHAGI
・Guardian of the Meat: SHINYA
・Plating Pro A: REIKO
・Plating Pro B: KENCHAN
・Plating Pro C: RINCHAN・CHIAKI
・Bun Baker: TEKEJI
・Pineapple Boy: MASATO
・Beer Boy: NISHI-P
・Sour Girl: ASUMI
・Factory Manager: YASUI
I am grateful to the staff who supported that situation and saw it through, the many neighboring stakeholders who provided support, and above all, to the many customers who waited in long lines at the site to eat our hamburgers.
Then, on the Monday after Mori, Michi, Ichiba finished, we opened Earlybirds as usual and went about our business. Being grateful that so many people came on a weekday, and managing to do it even while exhausted, was another lesson learned. Grateful for a job I love, we are open again today from 7:00 AM.
