"Following the 2025 Ofunato wildfire—one of the largest in Japan’s recent history—this project proposes “SAIKAN,” a regenerative cycle of post-disaster recovery. Rather than treating recovery as a process of restoring what was lost, SAIKAN reframes it as an ongoing relationship between nature, people, and livelihood.
The project addresses not only environmental damage such as soil degradation and increased landslide risk, but also the social isolation that often follows repeated disasters. By reintroducing horses through the traditional “summer-mountain, winter-village” system, equine manure compost becomes a catalyst for soil regeneration, improving water retention and supporting forest recovery.
This regenerative process extends beyond land. Nutrients carried from restored forests flow into the sea, contributing to marine ecosystems and local fisheries, while daily interactions between people and horses help rebuild community ties and cultural continuity.
SAIKAN transforms wildfire-affected land into a living landscape—one that continuously regenerates ecological functions, reduces disaster risks, and fosters resilient communities in an era of increasing climate uncertainty."