For the past two weeks I have been exploring the vegetation around the Takase river, in particular the plants and trees growing close to the Nanakura Dam. During the building of the dam in the late 1970s, some of the trees died and others were planted in other to re-green the area after the construction of the dam. I got to know the names of these plants and trees, as well as the names of pioneer species that were the first to colonize the previously disrupted land. Names like HARIGIRI, NISE AKASHIYA and OOKAMENOKI.
It made me wonder how the echo of OOKAMENOKI would sound like in the Takase valley.
There is a certain question that occupies my mind right now: How does one visualize a phenomenon like “echo” or “kodama”?
During my stay here, I am however contemplating different ways of visualizing echoes; echoes that are in several parts of the world synonymous with mountain valleys.
Luckily, I was introduced to a group of singers who are willing to help me in the realization of my project during my time in Omachi. Each of the singers will choose one plant name that we will verbally examine in the course of the coming week. I find it important to memorize the Japanese plant names correctly. In order to practice them, I wrote them down on small paper cards. In the evenings I spread the cards out in front of me, on my heated electric carpet.