Battling with grass!
Koebi-tai: the protector of artworks. Our battle against the grass has finally begun.
【Ogijima】
We cut grass in the vicinity of three artworks on Ogijima. The participating Koebi-tai members were energetic and great to work with!
before
after
First, we started with the artwork Takotsuboru by TEAM OGI, the first piece of artwork that welcomes visitors at Ogi Port. Takotsuboru is both an artwork and a playground for children. We worked hard to make it neat and clean so that visitors and children can play without any worry!
before
after
We also mowed the grass at Ogijima Pavilion, and Takeshi Kawashima & Dream Friends’ Dancing in the Seto. Although we had once cut the grass before the artworks were open for visitors in Golden Week, the grass was growing fast. Looking at the pictures after mowing, it looks so great. What a worthwhile task!
【Megijima】
before
Battling with grass!
We removed the grass around Little Shops on the Island, using sickles to cut the grass around the building.
We quickly gathered a large amount of grass. It was a difficult job simply to put it in garbage bags.
During lunchtime, we took a relaxing break in the pine grove of Megijima while looking out at the sea. A local passed by, and gave us some baby corn. The baby corn was harvested on the island and boiled in salted water. Koebi-tai members savored it and were energized, and continued working hard to cut grass in the second half of the day.
before
after
Artworks on Ogijima and Megijima are scheduled to be open for visitors in September.
Before that, we have been doing maintenance work again and again to keep the artworks, the houses that serve as exhibition venues, and the surrounding areas clean and tidy. Through these down-to-earth efforts, the artworks are well maintained, and visitors can also enjoy them.
【Teshima】
In early June, we held two mowing events at Shima Kitchen.
What make the events at Shima Kitchen special are the stones all over the garden. Because of these stones, grass cutter cannot be used, and we had to pull the grass out by hand.
The most challenging spot is the so-called “Houttuynia cordata Garden,” where Houttuynia cordata – a plant with a unique scent – grows. Unless you push the stones aside and uproot it, it will keep growing forever. Therefore, Koebi-tai worked hard doing the job.
What’s more, this time we had a participant from overseas joining us! A visitor doing sightseeing on Teshima, he became interested in the task and joined us cutting the grass for one hour. The unexpected participant gave the exhausted Koebi-tai members a sudden boost of energy.
We enjoyed a delicious meal on the terrace. What a great early summer day at Shima Kitchen!
Of course, we also pulled out the grass in the garden.
Afterwards, we received praise from the local mothers at Shima Kitchen, “It looks so neat! You did a great job!”
