From left: Okuma, Sakamoto, Ikemi, and Tsuba
Students from the Inoue TomokoDepartment of Social Design Faculty of Art and Design, and the Takasugi Mikako Laboratory,Faculty of Life Science Department of Life Science collaborated to produce Hakozaki Shrine's Toso (New Year's sake).
This project was undertaken as part of practical product development through regional collaboration. Tososan * is formulated to allow the enjoyment of its aroma, incorporating pine needles that are associated with Hakozaki Shrine. The front of the packaging features the majestic main hall of Hakozaki Shrine, and the shape is inspired by ancient medicine bags.
On Tuesday, December 23rd, the four students who worked on the project reported their completion to the deputy chief priest, Iida Motonori, at the shrine. The 200 bottles of toso, each handcrafted by the students, will be distributed at the shrine to guests during the New Year.
[Student Comments]
3rd year student, Department Department of Social Design Faculty of Art and Design
Ryoya Tsuba (Mirai Technical High School)
Genki Okuma (Tokiwa High School)
"The surface features a brushstroke illustration of the main shrine of Hakozaki Shrine, and the sacred crest expresses the first sunrise of the year. We also paid particular attention to the shape of the package, with a medicine envelope as the theme, based on the origin of otoso, a drink that is drunk in hopes of good health and longevity. We hope you enjoy the excitement of opening the package."
4th year, Faculty of Life Science Department of Life Science
Kaede Sakamoto (Nakamura Gakuen Girls' High School)
Ikemi Aion (Kasai High School)
"We made many prototypes to find a good balance between the scent of tososan and pine needles, and ultimately decided on the blend based on a sensory evaluation conducted by faculty and students on campus. We hope that people will welcome the New Year while enjoying the scent of pine needles."
*The base for "Otoso" is a powder made from a blend of several types of herbal medicines.
[Faculty of Art and Design / Faculty of Life Science]
