HIGASHI-YAMA Tokyo

For the third year of FOOD NIPPON, we have been featuring Oita Prefecture. In order to share with you the wonderful charm of Oita, we will introduce our very own reinterpretations of the food of Oita for each of the four seasons this year.

For the FOOD NIPPON 2015 Autumn event we delve into the region’s food culture through the theme of “sustainability,” focusing in particular on sustainable agriculture and fishing of the Kunisaki Peninsula Usa region that has been acknowledged as part of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Our first visit was to Usa Shrine, built in the 8^th century and located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula. As the head shrine of thousands of shrines across Japan that are dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war, Usa Shrine had a big influence on the Kunisaki Peninsula, shaping the local mountain worship religion and forming Kyushu’s largest manor of priests and monks. As the center presence of Rokugomanzan culture, it is also known as the first place to adopt the syncretic ideal of fusing Shinto and Buddhist philosophies.

A particularly well-preserved site can be found at the “Tashibunosho Agricultural Landscape,” one of the most important manors for Usa Shrine, which has left a landscape of beautiful rice terraces from its rice crop production since the 8^th century.

At the bases of the mountains surrounding Tashibunosho are the Sawtooth Oak forests that support the region’s industry of using logwood for shiitake mushroom cultivation.

Over in Himejima, located in the northern part off the coast of Kunisaki Peninsula, we encountered sustainable fishing methods. In order to avoid overfishing, they established long ago their own fishing regulations. These voluntary resource management efforts of Himejima are one example of the direction in which Japan’s fishing industries ought to be heading.

At the bases of the mountains surrounding Tashibunosho are the Sawtooth Oak forests that support the region’s industry of using logwood for shiitake mushroom cultivation.

Since Oita boasts the largest production of madake (Japanese timber bamboo) in the country, we visited several bamboo craft ateliers and local Onta-yaki potters who have been passing down secret techniques and traditions from one generation to the next since the early 1700s, when pottery was founded in the villages of Oita. Working closely with and learning from local craftsmen of the area, we have prepared FOOD NIPPON original tableware to be used throughout the event as a way to accentuate the cuisine.

We chose to feature Oita so that we could pass on the charm and rich culture that we encountered during our visits with various local farmers and craftsmen. We hope you will come to enjoy the food of Oita.

We are looking forward to your visit.