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I am now a community coordinator in Iwase Neighbourhood, Matsudo city, Japan. I combine research and art practices in the landscape planning field. Life-long drawer, I sketch Japanese plants regularly, keeping a Nature Journal, which helps me to reflect, learn and communicate.
I am passionate about applying the biocultural diversity (BCD) concept in urban design, which means making ecologically and culturally sound landscapes while engaging local people with various backgrounds in the creative process. For my Ph.D. study, I did and Action Research on community revitalization. During this research, we developed 8 gardens, grew herbs, and used them for common good. Local people created 46 products, from raw material to food, design, and handmade items, which they sell or share among members.
In rural areas, I was working in a research group involved in a revitalization project. To create a plan, based on local resources and involve citizens, we did 35 ethnographic interviews in Japanese (about 60 hours) and a questionnaire (N=400) of three generations. We looked into how the retention and use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge could be facilitated by design, especially among children. I surveyed the plants, used in children’s play and food in three generations, completing a list of 75 species. This list became a basis for a landscape design proposal for the village.
I also studying the biocultural diversity manifestations in Japanese folk art called Tsurushibina (Tsurushikazari) used in Hinamatsuri festival, and its link to the local ecosystems.

An online symposium that brings The Mind of Plants contributors together to share their reflections and various learnings with plants.

Stories, poetry and sound across a diversity of human languages and geographical landscapes. Come and join us!

USC Sunshine Coast
Apr 09 2021