Introducing the "Illustrated Guide to the Seven Colors of Hachijo" on Instagram!
To coincide with last year's "Seven Colors of Hachijo", a photo book which conveys the charms of Hachijojima by introducing 35 people from the island, the creators have opened an Instagram account (@7iro8jo) to further expand its reach.
The appeal of Hachijojima is best conveyed as a personality--the aggregated personality of its residents. By introducing the island through these personalities, the creators hope the project will inspire curiosity about what kind of an island these people call home.
These personalities come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, such as manga artist Takamatsu Yayoi, who moved to Hachijojima in 2007 and created Nagasarete Hachijojima. The manga became a hit, garnering a big reaction.
In 2021, the Instagram account has also begun including posts highlighting sights from around the island and daily island life.
One popular post featured the familiar mail post box seen around the island. The increasingly-rare post box set against the beautiful scenery has conveyed island charm to many.
By posting such glimpses into normal life on the island, it's easier for viewers to understand the appeal of Hachijojima.
To demonstrate another side of the island's character, the account also highlights the processing of kusaya. From the fish itself, to the factory floor, even the fermentation of the distinctive-smelling kusaya-eki brine doesn't escape notice.
Kusaya is famous as a product of Hachijojima, but very few have glimpsed the complete process from raw fish to final product. The posts also convey the thoughtfulness that goes into preparing this traditional food.
As states of emergency continue, making it difficult for travelers to visit the islands, the Instagram account has made it possible for Hachijojima to continue connecting with its fans through social media.
But soon we will shift focus toward those actually visiting the island, considering new types of messaging and methods of gaining followers so that the Instagram account can continue to convey the distinctive personality of Hachijojima.