TSUMARI・KOME (Tsumari Rice)

TSUMARI・KOME

Client: NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organisation
Design: Norihisa Aihara, Hiroka Nanbu, and Kochi University of Technology
Country: Japan

In a white container shaped like a grain of rice contains the finest Koshihikari harvested in Niigata Prefecture. The Koshihikari is grown in a terraced rice field with minimum agricultural chemicals. This specific type of Koshihikari is plump and soft, and transparent with high aromas and flavors.

In order to come up with this design / packaging plan, the designer deepened his relationship with the locals through his participation in rice planing, harvesting and festivals. At the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in 2009, the product was exhibited at a former elementary school, which is now a farming facility, to bring producers and consumers closer to each other.