Samurai legacy source of pride, identity for residents of Aizuwakamatsu english.kyodonews.net

City-Cost - 20 minutes ago - 21:01 | ArtsRegional Japan is no stranger at dressing up its historical icons to be paraded as tools for economic revitalization but for residents of Aizuwakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture, such icons and their legacy remain a source of pride and identity.
(Keiji Usuki in his painted-candle workshop Yamagataya, Aizuwakamatsu City)In such circumstances Usuki understood the importance of succeeding his father to keep the business alive.
(Usuki's father at work in Yamagataya, Aizuwakamatsu City)"As a business, it's difficult to live on the income from sales alone.
Sake brewing was another industry championed by Aizu clan samurai.
1782 - 1788), today the local industry continues to flourish.