The Setouchi Region and its Arts Festivals
About the Setouchi International Art Festival
The Setouchi Art Triennale is an international arts festival which breathes new life into regional areas by inviting contemporary artists to exhibit their work in these regional communities which are experiencing the dampening effects of the rural exodus and aging population.
In 2010, based on the themes of “Reviving the Sea” and “Islands Full of Life”, The Setouchi International Art Festival 2010 which ran from July 10 to the end of October attracted some 930,000 people from all over the world. In the festival, 75 artists and initiatives from 18 countries and regions around the world participated in 16 events. One of the major characteristics of the art festival is that it is held on seven of the islands connected by a high-speed ferry service and visitors to the festival can experience art as well as enjoy travelling the islands. It is one of the world’s very few outdoor art exhibits held on such an expansive stage. The region’s next art festival to be held in 2013, the Setouchi Triennale 2013, will be rolled out on an even grander scale and span three different seasons throughout the year—spring, summer and fall.
>>> The Setouchi Triennale 2013 Website
What kind of region is Setouchi?
Dating back to the end of the Edo Period and throughout the Meiji Era, the allures and beautiful scenery of the Setouchi region have continued to captivate visitors from abroad including Von Siebold and Thomas Cook. The area boasts abundant natural surrounds with breathtaking scenes of the tranquil sea peppered with islands, covered in coastlines of white sand and green pines, and mountainsides blanketed in terraced fields and rice paddies.
The Seto Inland Sea is famous for its abundant sea life and the local fishing industry makes a significant contribution to dining tables all over Japan with its wide array of seafood including mackerel, sardines, squid, octopus, fugu puffer fish, and seaweed. Also, the Seto Inland Sea is well-known for its mackerel and branded horse mackerel which are thought of as high-end luxury catches.
For the longest time the Setouchi region, with its breathtaking views of the islands, has built its culture and economy from the sea. Amidst further homogenization and globalization in recent years, the region continues to be effected by the rural exodus and aging population like many other rural communities in Japan.
In light of these social issues, some twenty years ago Mr. Souichiro Fukutake began to realize his dream of transforming the island of Naoshima into a place focused on art and culture. This led to the establishment of Benesse House, and other installations, galleries and museums began to pop up all over the island attracting art-lovers from all over.
Discover the Regional Specialty Products
01. Kawara Senbei (瓦せんべい)
The name Kawara Senbei comes from the cookies’ resemblance to roof tiles on traditional Japanese style houses. Kawara means roof tile and senbei means cookie. These Kawara Senbei cookies, which are particularly popular among middle-aged women, are baked using flour, egg, and sugar.
Areas for Design:
1. On the Senbei cookie: any type of seal/motif can be stamped on to the cookie itself. The cookie shape must remain unchanged.
2. Individual packaging: The print and design of the package can be changed.
3. Outer box: The size and design of the package can be changed.
*After selection, the designer may be asked to add a logo to the design.
Manufacturer:Soke Kutsuwado K.K.
http://www.kutsuwado.co.jp/
02. Kutsuwa Senbei (くつわせんべい)
These cookies, from the Sanuki region, have long been a favorite among many. Made with flour and egg and boasting such flavors as miso, adzuki beans, and yuzu citrus, these senbei cookies are filled with variety. With the light crispy texture, these senbei cookies are loved by all generation
Areas for Design:
1. Senbei cookie: Cookie shape can be changed. Seal or motif made with sugar can be added.
2. Individual packaging: The print and design of the package can be changed.
3. Outer box: The size and design of the package can be changed.
*After selection, the designer may be asked to add a logo to the design.
Manufacturer:Soke Kutsuwado K.K.
http://www.kutsuwado.co.jp/
http://www.kutsuwado.co.jp/okashi/kutsuwasenbei.html
03.Purple Sweet Potato Cookies (紫芋クッキー)
These cookies are made with sweet potatoes from Tamano City, Okayama. The sweet potatoes are ground into a powder and kneaded into dough, which is how the vibrant color is achieved. No added colors are used in these cookies, which boast a rustic natural sweetness.
Areas for Design:
1. Proposals for the packaging design. Package can be any shape.
Manufacturer:Nakaya Muneyoshi K.K.
http://www.nakaya-m.com
http://www.nakaya-m.com/story5-6.html
04. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (エキストラバージンオリーブオイル)
All ingredients are 100% home-grown. Olive trees are pruned so as to receive the most sunshine possible. The olives are picked by hand, and the oil is extracted within 48 hours. As production is limited, only 600kgs of olive oil can be produced each year.
Areas for Design:
1. Label: the label can be redesigned
2. Glass bottle: Bottle can be chosen (approximate 60g bottle) from any of the glass manufacturers’ catalogues below and redesigned. The bottle must use a hinge bottle cap.
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil FAQ
Saito Ware: http://www.saito-youki.co.jp/
Kita Sangyo: http://www.kitasangyo.com/Products/bottle_package.htm
Japan Seiko Glass Co, Ltd: http://www.osg-co.jp/
Manufacturer:Saegusa Zouen K.K.
http://ww81.tiki.ne.jp/~saegusa/
05. Fish Snacks in a Setouchi Treasure Box (瀬戸内の玉手箱)
Dried sardines from Ibukijima Island. Contrary to the name, the sardines are quite soft and sometimes even juicy. With the sea on the manufacturer’s doorstep, even fish that are difficult to keep can be prepared fresh and straight out of the ocean. In recent years, the water quality has improved, so the catch volume has increased.
Areas for Design:
1. Packet: Design for the white gusset bag. Either stick on a label or print directly onto the gusset bag.
The size of the gusset bag should be 120mm-220mm long and 100-120mm wide. The top part should be tied with string.
Manufacturer:Daibun K.K.
06. Setouchi Dried Sardines (瀬戸内いりこ)
In Japanese cooking, a dashi stock is used to flavor soups such as miso soup. Some of the most famous Japanese restaurants throughout the nation choose the top of the crop of these dried sardines from the Setouchi region’s Ibukijima Island.
Areas for Design:
1. Label: Redesign the label
2. Redesign the plastic package. The size is 136mm wide x 198mm long.
Manufacturer:Daibun K.K.
07. Lemon and Black Beans Coated with Wasanbon Sugar (わさんぼん 讃岐の檸檬・讃州大黒)
The lemon sweets (left in the top photo) use lemons from Kagawa Prefecture. The lemons are dried and coated with the Sanuki regions’ wasanbon fine-grained sugar made from sugarcane. The refreshing flavor of the lemons goes exceptionally well with wasanbon sugar. The sweets on the right are Sanuki black beans also coated in wasanbon sugar from Sanuki.
Areas for Design:
1. Box: 217mm length x 154mm width x 35mm height
2. Individual wrappers: White gusset bags 140mm length x 65mm width
Manufacturer:Yumekabou Takara Co. Ltd.
08. Miso Spread with Garlic and Dried Sardines (にんにくいりこ味噌)
Miso is a traditional, Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice. This product is a miso paste featuring such ingredients as garlic and celery from Kagawa Prefecture, and the local specialty product of dried sardines. This item was produced in the hopes of promoting Kagawa vegetables to other prefectures. Garlic used in the product has been prepared so as not to produce an overpowering smell. The product is popular among seniors (80% of users), many of whom are repeat buyers of the brand.
Areas for Design:
1. Glass bottle label: free to create own design *The glass jar size is 52mm in diameter and 50mm in height
Miso Spread with Garlic and Dried Sardines FAQ
Manufacturer:Office Tomu
09. Riceenoir Sake made from Kodaimai Rice (リセノワール)
Kodaimai means “ancient rice”, but it doesn’t mean the rice itself is old. It refers to the species of rice being the same as that used centuries ago in Japan. It boasts a refreshing fruity flavor with a brilliant balance of sweet and sour. It is also rich in minerals including polyphenol; a popular mineral among young women for its health and beauty benefits. The product name Riceenoir means black rice.
Areas for Design:
1. Glass bottle label: free to create own design
* You can select the glass bottle from the following catalogs.
Japan Seiko Glass Co, Ltd. http://www.osg-co.jp/ (Japanese only)
*The bottle size must be no bigger than 300ml but taller than 15cm high / must use screw cap.
Manufacturer:Yushin Brewer Co.
10.Marugame Uchiwa Fan made with Bamboo (丸亀うちわ)
An uchiwa is a traditional Japanese fan. Marugame Uchiwa fan making used to be a side-job for samurai in the Edo Period, and since the Meiji Period it continues to be a major industry for the Marugame region. Currently, Marugame region makes about 80-90% of all of the bamboo uchiwa fans produced in Japan. Unlike other fan-making regions, Marugame makes the fans from one piece of bamboo rendering them stronger and more flexible.
*When selecting the design for the fans, the creator may be asked to extend the fan design to other products as well.
Manufacturer:Uchiwa Koubo Mitani
