Voices Across the Mountains - circa 1973

Voices Across the Mountains - circa 1973

In the mountain villages of Fukushima Prefecture around 1973, there existed a custom known as "voices crossing the mountains. Houses scattered in deep valleys called out to each other like mountain hikos, and the echoes of their voices were used to confirm the whereabouts and safety of people. The practice was used especially during the harsh winter season and in between mountain work, and served to strengthen the bonds of the community as well as for practical purposes. Calls were made in the form of "Oi" or shouting out a name, and relief was gained when a response was received. This act was an important means of communication in an era without cell phones or radios, but today such voices are disappearing. With the advancement of civilization, the quietness of the echoing voices has also been lost, and is now a scene rarely seen. It is significant to record this culture as it symbolizes the lifestyle of mountain villages and the sense of distance between people in the past.