October Harvest

Planted, sprouted, bloomed - and finally, the harvest comes! A whole new adventure begins once we decide to take care of our unknown curiosity.

This October, some already yielded results for what they have watered long. Maybe others still have to wait patiently and see how their seeds would turn out. Yet, I am quite sure we all deserve a bit of celebration for how far each of us has thrived. With the fruits borne, let us nurture our hearts for transition into a new endeavor.

Annual Event｜Rice Mowing Workshop in Ome farm

Date: Oct. 19, 2024
Location: Ome City, Tokyo

The rice mowing at our farm in Ome is an annual event that reminds us of the seasons passing by. This year, we had a bit of an experiment; to grow three different kinds of species, Sasanishiki, Kodai-mai, and Mochi-rice, at once. As a result, they all got mixed up and ended up becoming a new kind of rice!

Preview Screening｜"Umi No Oya - 海の親" by Maya Minder & Ewen Chardronnet

Date: Oct. 11th
Location: 5F @SHIBAURA HOUSE

Last spring, Maya Minder and Ewen Chardronnet came to visit SHIBAURA HOUSE for the first time. Exploring the possibility of algae to tackle the ecological crisis, the team was shooting for their documentary film, as well as organizing a workshop with locals by MICUL MICUL x Vitality.Swiss project.

This autumn, Maya and Ewen came back for Swiss Cinema Days, holding a preview screening event of "Umi No Oya," the exact documentary they were shooting last year. The work focuses on the legacy of an algologist named Kathleen Drew Baker, whose research hugely contributed in establishing the seaweed aquaculture industry in Japan. As she is the saviour for the people involved in the industry, she is often called "Mother of the Sea" among aquaculturists today.

We are hornerd to have witnessed a small part of the creation to the completion. And we look forward to the story traveling around the world soon!

Exhibition / Awards｜"Vitality through Your Eyes" in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy

Date: Oct. 9th - 24th
Location: 1F @SHIBAURA HOUSE

What is vitality to you? Celebrating the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, the Vitality.Swiss program led by the Swiss Embassy in Japan collaborated with SHIBAURA HOUSE to hold a public photo competition: "Vitality through Your Eyes." At the opening reception, Roger Dubach, Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan, as well as jury members conducted the award ceremony. 

Exhibition｜"Urban Cultural Clinic" in Taiwan

Date: Oct. 30th - Nov. 3rd, 2024
Location: Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Taipei

(*Read the full article from here!)

SHIBAURA HOUSE successfully held an 'Urban Cultural Clinic' for Taiwan-Japan cultural exchange in Taipei on 10/30-11/3, which marks the SHIBAURA HOUSE establishment of "Onshitsu" in Taiwan as the first year. This exhibition attracted over 200 visitors to the exhibition, 30 attendees to talk events, and more than 60 surveys. We summarized all the activities to discuss different urban issues and solutions together. Everyone is either a doctor or a patient. Most people in Taipei were deeply engaged with the exhibition. It is a seed we have planted in Taipei. Hope it will take root and flourish in Taipei, fostering more activities that promote a deeper understanding between Taiwan and Japan.

Weekly Event｜"Moon Kitchen" - Dinner for Local Children

Date: Oct. 7th, 21st, 28th, 2024
Location: 1F @SHIBAURA HOUSE

With children's imagination, the sky is the limit! This month, a group of Musashino Art University students brought prototypes of toys they created in a course, observing how kids would play with materials when the use is rather unspecified. On the day, the children aged around 1 to 12 years old creatively engaged with the toys and with each other more than ever. Also, the recurring English workshop event by two local high school students happened. Even though we meet most of the children and parents only on Mondays, the time shared has surely accumulated trust with each other. We are grateful for the warmth everyone brings in.

Bottom line:

This October reminded us of the core of our vitality that harvest always comes from effort. Also, sharing the harvest connects us, bringing us a new seed to grow. Witnessing the creative ecology around us, we already started anticipating another season to come.