The Quesnel/Shiraoi Twinning Society celebrated the official completion of work to the interior of Shiraoi House Sunday with a potluck dinner, official unveiling of the Ranma and introduction of visitors from Shiraoi, Japan.
The Ranma is decorative woodwork installed between the shoji screen doors and the ceiling.
The yellow cedar, handmade ranma was created by the Tayu Tateguseisakusho company and CEO Keizo Tayu was one of the Japanese visiting dignitaries. He also brought one of the factory supervisors Norio Suzuki and they were accompanied by Joe Sakamoto and Kazumi Niioka, both members of the Japanese Shiraoi Twinning Society.
Ran means special beautiful Japanese flower and ma means room, Kazumi explained.
With information from Norio and Keizo, Kazumi interpreted the information they supplied in Japanese.
“The design is a Japanese tree, similar to Canadian Maple Leaf and the Ranma was handmade from many, many tiny pieces of wood which took a craftsman about a week to make at the factory,” Kazumi relayed.
“Ranma’s are a usual part of construction for a tatami (tea) room. The Ranma allows the air to flow in and out of the room as well as providing light.”
Shiraoi House’s completion has been a labour of love for Phil Demers who has been involved with the twinning society for 31 years.
Demers took on the job of project manager in 1996 when they presented the basic floor plan for the building to the city manager.
He explained once the city had exhausted its $96,000 Shiraoi House budget, they turned the finishing over the society.
“We took over once the walls were painted and plumbing was installed,” he said.
“The society did the flooring and kitchen.”
He added it was thanks to money from his own pocket and Bob and Marie Skinner that enabled the building to be officially opened in 2004.
Over the past eight years, through fundraising and generous donations, the society has completed the cabinetry and tea room, window screens and now the Ranma ($3,500) with all bills paid.
“Shiraoi Twinning Society has fundraised and with donations paid $90,000 to complete the project,” Demers said.
“Now it’s finished, we will focus on more programs.”
The evening included gifts exchanged between Japanese visitors and Canadians, certificates for four long-term volunteers and other recognitions and words of praise from former mayor Nate Bello, Marie Skinner, Mayor Mary Sjostrom and various twinning society members including current president Rose Gaetz.
The capacity crowd was enthusiastic in their support of the completion of Shiraoi House.
Shiraoi House is owned by the City of Quesnel. The Quesnel/Shiraoi Twinning Society occupies the top floor and balcony area under a license of occupation for the purposes of public assembly, office use and displays. The building also houses public washrooms and storage facilities for the Billy Barker Days Society.