A museum will be built! A store will be built! We want to stimulate the local economy! "Yes, let's make museum goods!" Prologue

2023 is the year of the rabbit.

It's been a year since I haven't been able to post much since the last interview series.
So far, we have talked with buyer Yu Yamada of method Co., Ltd., Nara National Museum curator Aya Nakagawa, and art designer Yuri Yamaguchi, but this time we would like to introduce a museum project that is currently in progress.

* Click here for previous talk blogs
https://www.nomlog.nomurakougei.co.jp/member/detail/12/

Creating a space, not only creating an exhibition, but also creating original museum goods...
We would like to introduce some of the wide range of work that planners at NOMURA Co., Ltd. are involved in.

Establishment of research and breeding facility for the natural monument Amami Rabbit

In 2021, a competition was held to create an exhibition facility in the midst of Corona.
The place is Yamato Village in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
This is a research breeding facility for the Amami rabbit, an endangered species that lives only on Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima, and is designated as a special natural monument of Japan.

Natural Monument Amami Rabbit

Around the facility construction site (photographed by Shimokuni)

[Amami rabbit]
Classification: Lagomorpha Lagoidae Amami rabbit Scientific name Pentalagus furnessi Endangered species IB
Distribution: Distributed only on two islands, Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Number of individuals: 39,162 to 11,549 in total on Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima (as of 2021).
Around 2003, there were an estimated 5,000 animals, but the population has increased due to improvements in the habitat environment, such as control of mongooses that prey on black rabbits and feral cats (feral cats).
On the other hand, the balance of coexistence with human life is collapsing, such as "roadkill", such as being run over by a car by jumping out into the street at night.

Features: Weight is 1,300-2,700g (weight of 2ℓ PET bottle or Macbook pro 16 inches)
It measures about 41-51 cm in body length from the tip of its head to its rear, and is nocturnal.
It is a species different from the gray rabbit, which is often kept as a pet, and is a scientifically important species with primitive traits.
The Yamato Village Wildlife Conservation Ordinance prohibits the capture of wild animals in Yamato Village, and they are positioned as living creatures that must be protected under higher laws such as the Wildlife Protection Law, the Species Conservation Law, and the Cultural Property Protection Law.

Therefore, at this facility, instead of capturing wild puppies, we protect puppies that have been injured in traffic accidents or other animals, provide treatment and rehabilitation over time, and protect and raise them until they can be returned to the wild. .
Observing Amami rabbits in captivity, what is their life rhythm? What is your food preference? How athletic are you? The world's only museum (planned to be) where you can learn about the ecology of the mysterious Amami rabbit and its relationship with people while stimulating your sensibilities.
The story about the facility will be released gradually from now on, so please look forward to it.

The relationship between the people of Amami Oshima and the Amami rabbit

For the development of exhibitions and goods, Amami Oshima and Yamato Village have started looking for good things and looking for friends who are doing interesting initiatives.
Due to COVID-19, it was frustrating not to be able to go to the island frequently, but I found the right timing to intensively research on the island and had the opportunity to hear from the business operator.
(Thank you to all the business operators who participated in the hearing for taking time out of their busy schedules!)

Amami Oshima has a lot of rain. Precious sunny sea!

I can see the sea, but I can't enter the water, so someday...

Various island vegetables and herbs grown in the field!

A product using tankan and peach, a specialty of Yamato Village!

A wooden insect specimen that can be mistaken for the real thing even if you look closely!

Cute even in the palm of your hand!

As I researched Amami rabbits, I found that Amami people seem to be familiar with Amami rabbits, but they are a bit distant.
Nocturnal Amami rabbits live in forests and are rarely seen during the day. Unlike tourists who participate in forest night tours, the islanders (especially children) who go about their daily lives rest at home at night. ” is distant both in terms of distance and psychologically.
Let's protect the unknown, distant creatures! Even if you say that, it is natural that it is difficult to create a feeling of protection as a result of not being able to pin it.
However, no matter where you look in the world, I would like you to know once again how precious the culture itself of living with Amami rabbits, which are only found on Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima.
I would like to think about reconnecting the relationship between Amami rabbits, humans, and the natural environment.

Amami rabbit found! night road is dangerous

a! ! I was in the bathroom. sorry

This is the dung of an Amami rabbit!

This is also a valuable Amamiishikawa frog

Why do you make museum goods?

I believe that one of the roles of museums is to become a place to learn and to learn about the pride of one's hometown. It is a real pleasure not only to see the exhibition, but also to participate in the operation of the facility and events, and create opportunities for everyone to liven up their hometown.
The Amami Rabbit Research and Breeding Facility is no exception, and everyone at the Yamato Village Office wants to help as many Amami Oshima residents as possible, visitors to Amami Oshima, and other “people who love Amami Oshima” into this facility. I have a passion that I want you to use it.

If.
In addition to creating exhibitions, there is also a shop in the museum,
“Would you like to make goods with everyone who loves Amami rabbits and Amami Oshima?”

That's how I proposed making museum goods and amami rabbit goods.

There are three purposes for making this product.

1. Let us know that we will establish a new Amami rabbit breeding and research facility.
2. Let's increase opportunities for the people of Yamato Village and the people of Amami Oshima to become familiar with Amami rabbits.
3. Let's make this product making the first step of a sustainable and expanding business as a local initiative.

This breeding research facility has the role of an experience museum.
I want to grow it together with everyone in the area.
Many of the goods on sale are made by local people, and the locals will be happy if they sell.
Because we are happy, we will be able to make better products, and we will be able to buy more.
The local economy will be activated, you will be able to earn money continuously, and the assets of the area will expand.​

It started with the challenge of creating a virtuous cycle that revitalizes the local economy by creating a museum.

Holding a pre-sale event to create and nurture museum goods

The museum is expected to be completed by 2025.
We are making museum goods to build momentum for the opening, but it is normal to work hard when you have a goal.
As the first goal of the challenge, we will hold a “pre-sale event”.
We have developed a variety of unique goods with the theme of Amami Rabbit ×○○ with the people of Yamato Village and people who love black rabbits. I can't talk about the contents yet because it's before the event.
It is not perfect manufacturing that has been completed.
The world of rare museum goods that can be pursued from the process of creating and nurturing with local people.
I would be happy if more people would come to the site and take an interest in setting up a research and breeding facility for Amami rabbits through SNS.

Limited time only! Amami rabbit museum goods pre-sale held
3/3 (Fri)-3/5 (Sun), 2022 9:00-16:30 (until 16:00 on the last day)
Venue: Amami Oshima World Heritage Center Entrance
Organizer: Planning and Tourism Division, Yamato Village Office Cooperation: Amami Oshima World Heritage Center
Operated by: NOMURA Co., Ltd. Co., Ltd.