AKITA, Mar. 29 – The Akita branch of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (ZEN-NOH Akita) will sell a limited number of Sachihokore finest-quality rice produced in Akita Prefecture in 2-kilogram bags featuring an original illustration by popular illustrator Nagi from Yuzawa City in the prefecture. The rice bag has an illustration of the side face of a young woman and cherry blossoms in full bloom. A person from ZEN-NOH Akita in charge of the unique rice project hopes that consumers will enjoy both Nagi’s illustration and Akita rice.
Nagi is popular among young women for her style of drawing many facets of women adorably. So far, she has provided her illustrations for several CD jackets and ski trip advertisements for East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
ZEN-NOH Akita asked Nagi to help them create a unique rice bag, hoping it would make more young consumers familiar with the rice brand. The illustration she drew with Sachihokore rice in mind became the last piece she created before taking time off from work.
According to ZEN-NOH Akita, Nagi responded to the request happily, sayingshe also hopes that her design would help spread good words about Sachihokore across the country.
The special rice sale will begin on the 18th, which is one of the celebration days in Japan, during this graduation and back-to-school season, and will finish at the end of April. The rice in unique bags will be available at ZEN-NOH Pearl Rice retailers nationwide, as well as at shops in the JA Town, an online farmers’ market portal run by ZEN-NOH, and Amazon.
Sachihokore means “wishing you a full bloom,” which makes it perfect for happy occasions, the person from ZEN-NOH Akita said. “I hope it will be popular among consumers in various generations,” she added.
ZEN-NOH Akita personnel introducing Sachihokore rice in bags featuring the original illustration by Nagi.