Chain
Water Connects the Baton of Life
In Okayama Prefecture's satoyama and satoumi, there exists a chain of nutrient exchange between forest and sea unique to the Seto Inland Sea, along with a coexistence with nature that has continued since ancient times. Furthermore, there are cultural and lifestyle connections linking the forest and the sea.
Cutting back the forests in satoyama allows sunlight to penetrate, enabling rich nutrients (nutrient salt) to flow through rivers into the sea. This nurtures oysters and supports the proliferation of eelgrass—often called the cradle of fish—and the expansion of eelgrass beds.
Furthermore, thinned timber from the forest is used as material for oyster farming rafts, cultivating oysters said to be the most delicious in Japan. The shells of the oysters are crushed and spread over the satoyama rice fields, nurturing the highest quality Maniwa Satoumi Rice.
The greatest appeal of this project is experiencing this grand saga of water’s chain as a single story by visiting three locations.