About the artwork

This is a artwork that has been ongoing since the launch of the Karekimata Project. A circular rice field known as kurumada was created in 2009, and sawtooth oak seedlings were planted to be used as rice racks (for drying harvested crops). Rice was planted for the first time in 2018, allowing the harvested rice to be dried on the fully-grown rice racks by autumn. This year, the project took on the challenges of natural farming methods with the cooperation of volunteers living in Karekimata district. In early June, the now-rare Sasashigure, a parent variety of Sasanishiki rice, was planted along with black rice inspired by the three huge cedar trees standing beside Ryuo Gongen Shrine. The sawtooth oak trees have become a gathering place for rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles attracted by the sap. “I’d love to hear the sounds of excited children catching insects at Karekimata Branch School, which is now closed (comments from the artist).”
Materials: Quercus acutissima, water, soil, rice