Mount Ryuo

Takamijima Island, dominated by the central Mount Ryuo rising approximately 300 meters, is characterized by steep slopes on all sides, with its only flat terrain confined to a small area of reclaimed land near the port. From afar, the island's homes appear as if they are layered onto the mountainside, reflecting the island's rugged and striking topography.

Until the 1970s, Takamijima was renowned for the fields of white pyrethrum flowers that blanketed the landscape in late spring. Introduced to Japan in the late 1860s, pyrethrum, a natural insecticide derived from the flower's compounds, became a major export product by the 1930s, making Japan the leading global producer before the Pacific War. Kagawa Prefecture, including Takamijima, emerged as a significant pyrethrum-growing region due to its arid climate, ideal for a crop that requires minimal water. By 1943, at the height of cultivation, Kagawa boasted over 450 hectares of pyrethrum fields, even amid wartime resource constraints. However, the post-war influx of chemical insecticides caused a significant decline in pyrethrum production. Despite this, efforts in Kagawa continued to sustain the industry until its peak in 1970.

Throughout the early 20th century, Takamijima played a crucial role in pyrethrum agriculture. With most men engaged in fishing, women took charge of cultivating the flowers, often assisted by schoolchildren during harvest seasons.

The blooms were harvested in May, using efficient methods such as cutting the stems and separating the flowers with rice threshing tools. Dried blooms were packed in straw bags, or fugo, and carried down the island's steep terrain to the village for drying. The utility of pyrethrum extended beyond agriculture. Fishermen used the stems to smoke their boats, preventing barnacles and other pests from adhering to the hulls. This multi-purpose usage highlights the economic and practical significance of the plant to Takamijima's residents.

Before merging with Tadotsu Town in 1956, Takamijima Village recorded an annual production of approximately 14 tons of pyrethrum flowers in 1955. This remarkable figure accounted for over 10% of Kagawa Prefecture's total yield, despite the island constituting a mere 0.1% of the prefecture's land area. The island's terraced fields once stretched across Mount Ryuo's slopes, offering a panoramic view of both the pyrethrum fields and the Seto Inland Sea.

Pyrethrum cultivation reached its zenith on Takamijima in 1965, but the following years saw a gradual reduction in field areas. In response, residents shifted toward cultivating ornamental plants and flowers as an alternative agricultural focus. The historical significance of pyrethrum cultivation was commemorated during the Setouchi Triennale in 2013 and 2016 through the installation Pyrethrum House, created by Haruyuki Uchida, Ayako Ogawa, and Katsura Tanabe. The exhibit, accompanied by a pyrethrum garden, offered visitors insights into the island's agricultural heritage while rekindling local memories.

Today, the legacy of the pyrethrum on Takamijima endures. Volunteer groups such as Sazae-tai have replanted pyrethrum gardens across the island, ensuring that visitors in April and May can still experience the beauty of the iconic white blossoms near the port and other areas.

Takamijima Island's history as a center for pyrethrum cultivation reflects a dynamic interplay of geography, culture, and industry. Although the era of large-scale production has ended, efforts to preserve this legacy through community initiatives and artistic expression ensure that the story of Takamijima's snow-white flowers continues to inspire and educate.

Note: This text is based on a conversation with Masamichi Yamano and draws from the article "The Snow-White Pyrethrum Flowers of Takamijima Island," published by Setouchi-Artfest on January 18, 2019.