The outlook of the Anko-san Project

Following on from the Anko-san themed gourmet food project and the Anko-san special webpage, members of Oshima's meeting are now moving forward with a design project to visually communicate the charms of Anko-san. This report introduces the design related efforts and the future developments of the Anko-san Project.

For the design project, designers living outside Oshima with ties to the island were commissioned to create textile designs that would blend in with modern lifestyles.

Currently in progress is a project to make tenugui, or those hand towels that are emblematic of Anko-san. The aim of the project is to propose an image of Anko-san for the new era to the younger generations by having designers from outside the island create fresh designs. Two textile designs featuring local resources of the island as motifs have been completed following two objectives: to use camellia, the flower of Oshima Town, as the core of the design; and to create textiles to be incorporated into souvenirs that can act as objects for everyday use, such as hand towels. The plan is to consider how to utilize and manage these designs, and to identify corporative businesses on the island that will be involved in their commercialization.

The final pillar of the Anko-san Project is to spread the word of the project throughout the island. Through food, design projects, and other means, the circle of local revitalization focused on the treasure of the island that is Anko-san will continue to expand, engaging ever more people to know and become part of the project.

For the design project, designers living outside Oshima with ties to the island were commissioned to create textile designs that would blend in with modern lifestyles.

Currently in progress is a project to make tenugui, or those hand towels that are emblematic of Anko-san. The aim of the project is to propose an image of Anko-san for the new era to the younger generations by having designers from outside the island create fresh designs. Two textile designs featuring local resources of the island as motifs have been completed following two objectives: to use camellia, the flower of Oshima Town, as the core of the design; and to create textiles to be incorporated into souvenirs that can act as objects for everyday use, such as hand towels. The plan is to consider how to utilize and manage these designs, and to identify corporative businesses on the island that will be involved in their commercialization.

The final pillar of the Anko-san Project is to spread the word of the project throughout the island. Through food, design projects, and other means, the circle of local revitalization focused on the treasure of the island that is Anko-san will continue to expand, engaging ever more people to know and become part of the project.

Meeting members hope that the Anko-san Project will serve as a way for people on and off the island to connect more deeply and to initiate a variety of new activities.