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Herbarium of the senses vol.06 Indigo and Mint


Midsummer is a season when trees & plants are most powerful.

The seeds of indigo planted in the garden in this spring are exposed to sunshine of the foothills and are spreading leaves widely.

Let’s pick the indigo grass together, tap it on a paper to transfer the shape and grind the leaves.

With green sap made from the grind, we will dye handkerchief dazzling light blue.

Another way to make use of the sap is to make sauce that will be served with refreshing mint ice cream.

Since ancient times, indigo and mint have also played a role in protecting the body.

Why not experience a memorable colours and scent for both adults and children in this hot summer.

10/07/2017 | Posted in Information |

Herbarium of the Senses vol.05 Cherry


When the cherry blossoms sprout on the thawed Yatsugatake
The light after a long time warms up the cold air.

Let’s have some colour of earth and cherry blossoms bit by bit
From the branch that has stored plenty of nutrients during a prolonged winter

Put the beautiful smell of flowers and leaves in layers of snowy salt
Taking the layers of earth for a model, and we will deliver it to the future

The moment you have white sakuramochi* wrapped with soft leaf under your very nose
A scene full of colours may spread in front of you

A year that has started with signals of wild grass
Why not gather under the flowers together with us

Sakuramochi : rice cake filled with sweet bean paste and wrapped in a pickled cherry leaf

17/03/2017 | Posted in Information |

Herbarium of the Senses vol.04 Fir



The chill just before snow covers the ground
Nishi Aizu was barely in a pleasant season
Let’s start the preparation for the holy night using fir

The trunk of fir is for coloured socks as deep as the number of annual rings
The leaves of fir is for herring confit from the wisdom of mountainous region
The branch of fir is for distilled water which changes a bedroom into a forest

A village with circulation within this area
A village of herbs in this land
There are people who are trying to make such a village

To the land you have yet to see with people you have yet to meet
Why not go out on a journey for encounter

01/11/2016 | Posted in Information |

Herbarium of the Senses vol.03 Osmanthus fragrans



Osmanthus frangrans delivers the autumn to our nose earlier than anything.

We will collect that scent which is limited for a very short time and make a balm to use throughout the year.

Make the orange flowers like sugar candy float and make it into clear syrup.

Let’s dye a streaming stole in the wind with various soft colours hidden deep in the green leaves.

Followed by the spring, we are looking forward to seeing you in Kobuchizawa in early fall.

01/09/2016 | Posted in Information |

BS Asahi “SHISEIDO presents Rules of Ecology”

I will be appearing in a programme of BS Asahi “Rules of Ecology”.
“Onkososhin, A person to link Japanese beauty to the future”
Friday, 3, October, 21:00

It is the one that I appeared in 2012 but it will be on air re-edited.
I have a little appearance, but it is a two hour special programme of the last episode.
I hope you enjoy it.

27/09/2014 | Posted in Information |

Plants and Nature supporting Life and Way of Living Reconsidering housing, food, clothing and medicine

I will be doing a workshop with the theme of “Plants and Nature supporting Life and Way of Living Reconsidering housing, food, clothing and medicine”.
Date: Saturday, 8, November at 1300-15:00
Venue: Tokyo University of Agriculture 2F, Atsugi Campus R&D Building

I take charge of the second of the three courses, and while thinking about how the colours looked and sensed in the primitive age, we will actually dye with berries of Kusagi (harlequin glorybower) growing in the campus.

04/09/2014 | Posted in Information |