Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics Project — Unveiling the Dynamic Conectivity between the Water Cycle and Human Life (2024)
- Dec 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 18
We are pleased to announce the completion of the Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics map, a collaborative project between the Okudaisen Natural & Cultural Council, local partners in the Daisen area, and Ecological Memes.
About Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics
The Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics is a visual synthesis that unfolds the rich water cycle of Mt. Daisen in Tottori Prefecture as a web of dynamic connections, where humans and the natural environment continually interact. This map integrates a wide array of fields and disciplines: from the physical water cycle—including underground fresh water and submarine springs—to geological features and complex ecosystems where diverse actors such as trees, mycelia, moss, rocks, and soil microorganisms coexist. It further weaves in ancient wisdom and practices passed down through generations, the history of immigrant peoples, traditional "tatara" ironmaking, and local mythologies like the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi. Accompanying the map is a set of 13 Ryuiki Dynamics Cards (booklet). These cards illustrate the functions and mechanisms of the various beings that sustain the watershed’s circulation, featuring themes such as "Microorganisms Nurture Rich Soil and Groundwater Flows," "Moss-Covered Rocks and Iwakura Worship," and "Nutrient Cycles Between Mountains and Oceans"
Card List: Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics
Heavy Snow and Rough Seas from the Sea of Japan
Healthy Forests and Rainwater Infiltration
Mount Daisen's Geology and Vegetation
Microorganisms Nurture Rich Soil and Groundwater Flows
Forest Humus Nurtures Abundant Oceans
Human Activity and Forest Regeneration
Moss-Covered Rocks and Iwakura Worship
The Wisdom of Stoneworks
Tatara Ironworks and Forest Use (Charcoal Making)
Kanna-Nagashi and Terraced Rice Paddies (Resource Circulation System)
Faith in Mount Daisen and Shugendo
Nutrient Cycles Between Mountains and Oceans (Submarine Groundwater Discharge)
Uotsuki-Rin (Fish-Breeding Forests) and Chinju no Mori
Redefining "Ryuiki／流域"
In this project, together with the Daisen team, we have rede fined the dynamic connections among all phenomena—including human activity—as they stack and intertwine into a seamless whole from deep mountains to satoyama, rivers, and seas. We call this holistic perspective "Ryuiki".
"Ryuiki" is more than just a geographical watershed or river basin. It is a socio-ecological concept where humans and the natural environment continually interact. It represents the smallest unit of a "field"—a multilayered accumulation of space and time that encompasses everything from geological formation on a geo-scale to the culture, faith, and myths passed down through the land, to modern livelihoods, economies, and the "inner watershed" within each individual.
Furthermore, we have named the physical sensibility and perspective required to perceive these dynamics "Ryuiki Awareness". This is the ability to sense the dynamic wholeness of a constantly changing natural world—a power for living that comes from recognizing oneself as an integral part of those universal workings.
We invite you to participate in the Daisen Ryuiki Program, designed to nurture, experience, and embody this Ryuiki Awareness.
Global Outreach and Tool Development
The Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics map is currently utilized in local field programs. In July 2025, it was presented by Toru Ohara (Representative Director of Bisui Daisen) during his keynote speech, "The Perspective of Ryuiki: Dynamics of Connectivity—Our Attempt in Daisen," at the kickoff conference for the Ridge to Reef Project, co-hosted by Patagonia Japan and the Ministry of the Environment.
Recognizing the growing international interest, we have also developed English versions of the map and cards specifically for global audiences. In addition to being used in inbound tourism programs , these tools were featured at Ecological Memes’ global forums and exhibitions across Europe (London, Paris, and Berlin), where we conducted presentations and installations of the Ryuiki Dynamics synthesis.
Amidst a global awakening toward the need for a radical paradigm shift—moving away from modern dualism that separates humans from nature and toward a more regenerative era—we have observed profound interest in Japanese perspectives on nature, cultural spirituality, and indigenous wisdom. In particular, concepts such as "Ryuiki" (watershed connectivity) and "Awai" (the space in-between) resonated deeply, prompting many requests for hands-on experiences in Japan. In 2026, we are planning an International Forum and Immersion Program to share the unique watershed perspectives and wisdom born of Japan’s climate and culture with the world.Please contact us if you are interested in participating the program.
Also leading up to the forum in October, we are thrilled to host Ryuiki gathering, an international and transdisciplinary platform dedicated to reweave the interrelationality between humans and nature, rooted in the perspective of Ryuiki. Please take a look at the event information at the end of this post and feel free to join us.
Comment from Deputy Mayor Yawata of Kofu Town
"Kofu Town, situated on the southern slopes of Mt. Daisen, is a rare place where the distance from the mountain peak to the coastline is extremely short. This unique geography allows us to perceive the water cycle through our own physical senses. Through this project, I felt anew that our 'delicious water' is not just a simple flow of liquid, but a crystalized blessing—the result of countless layers of geology, vegetation, history, and human livelihoods stacked upon one another.
There is intrinsic value in simply living within this abundant nature and engaging in socio-cultural activities that go beyond mere environmental conservation. By immersing ourselves in this environment, our hearts are healed, and we are filled with the vitality to 'live for tomorrow'. This healthy, holistic cycle is exactly what we aim for.
Our focus on the 'Ryuiki' (watershed) perspective was born from a desire to transcend the traditional frameworks of administrative boundaries. I believe this dynamics map will serve as a 'new tool for learning'—one that visualizes the vast, invisible connections of life and makes us truly realize that we exist within a grand web of interrelatedness."
Acknowledgments
The Daisen Ryuiki Dynamics map is a synthesis of deep insights derived from repeated field research, extensive interviews with local residents , and a thorough review of vast research papers and related surveys across multiple disciplines.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to the field research and development of this project. This map would not have been possible without the generous cooperation of many individuals in the community. Thank you very much.
Project Creditーーー Production: Okudaisen Natural & Cultural Council, Ecological Memes
Direction: Yasuhiro Kobayashi (Ecological Memes)
Research - Text - Edit：Moe Sakaue (Ecological Memes/Mimori), Yasuhiro Kobayashi (Ecological Memes)
Design : Yusuke Watanabe（Cocoroe, inc.）
Creative Direction：Yasuhiro Kobayashi (Ecological Memes)Special Thanks：Toru Ohara(bisui Daisen), Dai Akimoto(Ryuiki Design Producer), Ako Matsuda（Mimori）, Lisa Kirimura(tenrai inc)
Join us to the international dialogue about ryuiki!
We are pleased to announce that leading up to the forum in October, we are hossting Ryuiki gathering, an international and transdisciplinary platform dedicated to reweave the interrelationality between humans and nature, rooted in the perspective of Ryuiki.
Upcoming Ryuiki Gathering:
ーApril 22nd (Wed) 12:00 – 14:00 (BST) / 13:00 – 15:00 (CEST) / 20:00 – 22:00 (JST)
Why Water Matters: Re-imagining Human-Nature Reciprocity in the Era of Poly-crisis
水をめぐる力学：複合危機の時代における人間と自然の相互作用性を再考する
Guest: Janice Li / Curator (London)
ーMay 22nd (Fri) 13:00 – 15:00 (CEST) / 20:00 – 22:00 (JST)
Caring for Watershed Ecologies: learning from place-based mythologies and landscape regeneration practices through Contemporary Arts
（多感覚の水辺：種を超えたケアの場としての流域と芸術）
Guest: Carmen Bouyer / Environmental Artist (Paris)
ーJune 16th (Tue) 12:00 – 14:00 (CEST) / 19:00 – 21:00 (JST)
Ancestral Flows in Japan: Re-activating Animistic Landscape and Awareness in the Layered Archipelago
日本の精神性と内なる流域：積層する日本文化の原風景と感応美を求めて
Guest: Everett Kennedy Brown / Artist, Writer (Japan/US)
ーJuly 9th (Thu) 11:00 – 13:00 (BST) / 19:00 – 21:00 (JST)
Decolonizing Leadership: Indigenous Wisdom and Regenerative Business as a Songline of Land and Water
水と大地の記憶：先住民の知恵に学ぶビジネスとリーダーシップ
Guest: Jannine Barron / Regenerative Business Mentor (UK/Australia)
ーAugust 4th (Tue) 12:00 – 14:00 (CEST) / 18:00 – 20:00 (Bali) / 19:00 – 21:00 (JST)
Regenerating Tourism as a Ryuiki Journey: Ancient Wisdom and More-than-Human Connectivity in Bali
流域に根ざした再生型ツーリズムの可能性を探る：バリの土着信仰と森里川海の連環
Guest: Wira / Impact Entrepreneur （Bali）
Link coming soon.
Contact Us
For inquiries or consultations regarding this project, please contact us at the email address below with the details of your request.
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