A Visit to Benjamin’s Workshop (1) — Germany Business Trip Journal 12 ベンジャミンさんの工房へ (1) ― ドイツ出張記 12
Hello. This is Tomotake Ichikawa.
The basketry festival held in Lichtenfels, Germany—
after three days of festivities that began with the opening evening, it came to a close, and the next morning arrived.
My journey in Germany was not quite over yet.
That morning, I checked out of the hotel early.
As I stepped out with my luggage, waiting for me in the lobby was—
Benjamin, a basket maker based in Germany.
He helped load my luggage onto a trailer attached to the back of his car,
and I joined him, and we set off north together.
Leaving the town of Lichtenfels behind, our next destination was Gülpe,
where Benjamin’s workshop is located.
It lies in northeastern Germany, along the Elbe River.
It is there that Benjamin carries out his basket making.
We first met at the World Basket Weaving Festival held in Poland in 2023.
Since then, we have kept in touch by email, and he has also made baskets for us,
which we have had the opportunity to introduce in Japan.
In this way, our connection has continued to grow over time.
When I decided to travel to Germany this time, although my schedule was short,
I told him that I would very much like to visit his workshop.
Benjamin was very pleased, and kindly welcomed me, saying,
“Please do come.”
According to him, the journey from Lichtenfels to his home in Gülpe takes about five hours. 
Along the long drive, we moved through landscapes where rows of wind turbines stretched into the distance. In northern Germany, wind power is said to be widely used. 
Along the way, we were also caught in a traffic standstill due to an accident on the highway. What was supposed to be a five-hour journey ended up taking seven. 
My companion on this long journey was this—something Benjamin’s wife kindly gave me. A classic German snack called “Knoppers.” Its crisp texture and rich flavor are perfectly balanced, and it is truly delicious. I liked it so much that I even bought some to take home to Japan as a souvenir.
As we drew closer to the town of Gülpe, the surrounding landscape gradually began to change.
Benjamin’s family kindly took turns driving, and we were able to arrive safely.
This is Benjamin’s workshop—the very place whose interior I had seen so many times in photographs!
A large brick building with a red roof.
This is Benjamin’s father, Leon.
He also joined us at the basket weaving festival in Lichtenfels,
where he stood at the booth and sold baskets together with Benjamin.
We also traveled back together.
Shortly after we arrived, Leon was waiting in the garden facing the workshop.
Then Benjamin drove Leon’s car into the garden.
They had purchased a large amount of willow—the material used for basket making—at the festival in Lichtenfels, and were now bringing it in from the car to store in the workshop. 
In Europe, the shortage of willow materials has become increasingly serious, and for Benjamin, who receives many orders, securing enough material has become a pressing challenge. 
Bundle after bundle of willow was carried in, as father and son worked in quiet rhythm together. 
Once the unloading of the willow had settled, Benjamin turned to me and said, “Would you like to come and see the vegetable garden?” 
There is a vegetable garden on the workshop grounds, where they grow vegetables without using pesticides. 
Just as I heard a crisp “crunch,” I realized Benjamin had taken a bite of a carrot he was holding. It was a gentle and charming moment. 
He told me that carrots grown in his own garden, without the use of chemicals, are delicious even when eaten just as they are. His smile as he said this was especially memorable. 
Cherry tomatoes 
Cauliflower 
Corn 
Pumpkin 
Spinach 
Is this kale? 
Holding a basket he made himself, he harvests vegetables according to the day’s menu. 
Benjamin holding a large red pumpkin and onions in his arms. 
This is a flower Benjamin handed to me, saying, “Try this.” When I tasted it, a gentle spiciness spread across my mouth, followed by a clean, refreshing finish. Later, I learned that it is called nasturtium, a flower with a flavor similar to watercress. In Europe, it is eaten as an edible flower, often added to salads or mixed into butter and cheese. It was an unexpected and memorable taste. 
There were also a few chickens roaming freely in the garden. 
The chickens seemed to be living freely and at ease. 
Because the chickens lay eggs, they are able to enjoy fresh eggs. 
There was also a composting toilet in the garden. 
On the clothesline, there was a peg basket designed to hang from the pole. I found it very charming. 
I found beauty in the way baskets were used so naturally in everyday life.
After that, he showed me into his home,
where a guest room had been prepared, furnished with rattan pieces,
and even a lovely book was waiting there.
I was deeply touched by such thoughtful care.
During my stay, they prepared various dishes using vegetables and eggs harvested from the garden. This is a spinach salad. 
This is a creamy pasta with onions and mushrooms. 
And a galette made with fresh eggs. Everything was fresh and delicious. 
The spicy nasturtium flower we had tasted earlier in the garden was also served with the galette, adding a vivid touch of color to the table.
As I enjoyed the delicious galette, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“Wait… isn’t galette a French dish?”
I had assumed that Benjamin was German,
but when I asked him directly, he told me that he is originally from France.
He is now married to a German woman, living in Germany and raising a family,
and it is here that he makes his baskets—
but his roots are in France.
His father, Leon, still lives in France.
The white van we had seen earlier, loaded with bundles of willow,
was Leon’s vehicle.
He had built the interior himself, transforming it into something like a camper.
With this van, he had traveled from France to take part in the basket weaving festival in Lichtenfels, Germany,
and would now spend some time staying at Benjamin’s home in Gülpe.
Hearing this, everything seemed to fall into place.
It struck me as a truly beautiful way of living.
I had the chance to enjoy both Benjamin’s French home cooking—reflecting his roots—
and dishes such as pumpkin soup prepared by his German wife,
allowing me to experience the flavors of both French and German households.
It was a rare and truly meaningful opportunity, for which I am very grateful.
Great care had been taken with the ingredients and seasonings, and everything was fresh.
I enjoyed every dish very much.
Thank you very much.
I have put together a short three-minute video summarizing what I shared in this journal.
I hope you will enjoy it alongside the article.
[Music plays]
In the next journal, I will visit the workshop and share what I learned there.
To be continued.
*For more about Benjamin’s basket making and our first meeting,
please see the following journal entries.
Encounter / Benjamin, a Basket Maker in Germany (Part 1)
Drawn to Hazel and Willow / Benjamin, a Basket Maker in Germany (Part 2)