Memories dyed in the color of the Japanese crested ibis: The philosophy of ibis and regeneration
Memories dyed in the color of the Japanese crested ibis: The philosophy of ibis and rebirth
A pale pink color sways on the surface of the water in the rice fields.
It's not a sunset or a flower petal - it's a Japanese crested ibis.
This bird, which once flew over the rural mountains all over Japan, has now risen from the brink of extinction and begun to soar into the sky once again.
The life that dwells in the pheasant's feathers
The Japanese crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) is a bird belonging to the family Thresheridae in the order Pelecaniformes, and its unique scientific name, which includes the word "Japan," makes it a symbolic bird. Its feathers are a pale vermilion-pink color, and are called "Toki-iro" (Japanese crested ibis).
The traditional etymology is "Tokiiro" (color of the Japanese yellow).
• Total length: approx. 75cm, wingspan: approx. 140cm
• Plumage: White to pale pink, head turns black during breeding season
• Diet: Feeds on loaches, frogs, insects, etc. in rice paddies and wetlands.
• Call: A high-pitched, slightly nasal "quack"
Its appearance was like a poem dancing on the water's edge, and it has stayed close to people's memories as the seasons have changed.
From forgotten everyday life to a symbol of rebirth
They were once treated as pests and their numbers have drastically decreased due to overhunting and the effects of pesticides.
In 2003, the last Japanese crested ibis, Kin, died, and the Japanese crested ibis became extinct.
Artificial breeding, which began with the pair "Youyou" and "Yoyou," which were gifted from China in 1999, led to their release into the wild on Sado Island.
• Designated as a special natural monument, close to IA class
• The birds are released into Sado every year, and there are currently over 600 birds living there.
• "Agriculture that coexists with the Japanese crested ibis" that reduces the use of pesticides is also widespread.
The crested ibis has now become a symbol of regeneration, prompting us to reexamine the relationship between nature and humans.
A presence that resonates with the WABISUKE philosophy
Toki resonates deeply with the gift-giving philosophy of "giving back something nostalgic."
The flapping wings are like a bridge connecting memories of the past and hopes for the future.
• The lingering rhyme of the pheasant's color makes it a memorable gift.
• The choice of rebirth, not destruction
• Life resides where nature and culture intersect