When someone thinks of food in Japan, they think of sushi, tempura, hot pot, wagyu beef, the list is endless. When someone thinks of travelling to Japan, they think of Kyoto, Tokyo, Fukuoka, or Osaka. However, none of these locations features the Yellow Pumpkin of Naoshima, which resides on a small island in the inland sea between Honshu and Shikkoku.
Naoshima is a small town in a secluded island only accessible from nearby ports like Tamano, Takamatsu or Okayama. A similar red pumpkin resides very close to the pier of Naoshima’s port and all visitors are able to see this on the way to the terminal. These unusual landmarks are constructed by Yayoi Kusama who has been creating many of these contemporary art pieces throughout Naoshima which has transformed Naoshima into an attractive location to travel to.
The weird coloration and spotting of the pumpkin represents the inhibited creativity of Japanese people whom are depicted as neat and on-the-beaten-road. It also represents Yayoi’s love for nature and the rural life the he grew up in. The pumpkin implies Japanese’s high vegetable diet, while the location of the pier in which it was placed represents the proximity to the sea and Japan’s connection to it.
Amongst many other contemporary artists, Yayoi has managed to revitalize the once declining Naoshima into an ‘art island’. He has also encouraged others to do the same which has created a communal atmosphere in the area. Community is an important aspect in any country’s identity and Japan is no different, which can be seen both here and on the food table. For me, this is the most fascinating thing about Naoshima’s revitalization, it has not only attracted tourists but has created a network for the locals to connect with one another.
Japan through the Food Lens 