Zenbird Editorial TeamThe Yokomakura district of Karatsu City held its annual “Onibi-taki” fire festival on 12 January, which displayed a unique blend of cultural heritage and circular economy principles.
The event took place within Saga Prefecture’s first “Site in Harmony with Nature,” a designation officially known as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM). It repurposed invasive bamboo into agricultural charcoal, thus demonstrating a practical model for satoyama management and biodiversity conservation.
The Onibi-taki is a traditional Japanese rite performed to pray for good health and bountiful harvests. While the event faced a one-day delay due to weather conditions, local residents successfully held the ritual. Preparations began as early as 4 January, involving the laborious task of clearing dense bamboo and vines that had encroached upon the local shrine’s surroundings. This maintenance is an essential step for preserving the landscape and protecting local salamander habitats.
The bamboo acted as fuel for the bonfire. And rather than allowing the fire to burn completely to ash, organisers extinguished the flames at a suitable point that produces bamboo charcoal. This charcoal will be distributed to the Yokomakura Farm to enrich the soil of its eggplant fields, completing a resource loop that connects forest conservation, spiritual tradition, and food production.
The Yokomakura district serves as a “practice field” for this sustainable farming. The Ministry of the Environment recognises such OECM sites for their contribution to biodiversity outside of traditional national parks. The management of the satoyama (the borderland between mountain forests and arable land) requires constant human intervention to prevent invasive species like bamboo from overrunning the habitat.
The organisers intend to continue these practices to promote Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
