"Kotobikihama"

“Japan Sea Pines,” Kotobikihama,

Amino, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

by Bill Braden for POSSE JAPAN

“Koto Biki Hama”, Koto is a traditional Japanese harp like string instrument, Biki, is “to play,” and Hama, means beach; this beach is known as Harp Sounding Beach, much like ‘Barking Sands” on Kauai. It is located near the more famous “Ama No Hashidate” on the Japan Sea coast of the main Japanese island, Honshu Island, Kyoto Prefecture. This surf break, a winter northerly swell site is the quintessential Japanese beach setting with pine trees growing on coastal bluffs. It is often used for filming traditional Samurai movies and it evokes that distinctive quality of this unique Pacific island culture.  Kotobikihama and adjacent coastline is a very good example of a well managed, conscientiously preserved beach. There is even a beach museum (Kotobiki Beach Sand Museum) located just inland from the site.  It has fascinating exhibits on various natural beach phenomenon including the distinctive quartz type white sand from here as well as sand from beaches around the world.  Even the individual trees depicted here are tagged and monitored for their health and changes over the years.  Unfortunately, a blight of pine trees across Japan a generation ago makes this scene a relatively rare sight. As the painter of “The Best Beaches of Hawaii” commissioned by the City and County of Honolulu, Bill Braden the artist discovered that one of the distinctions of a beautiful beach is the signature landmark, topographical feature that is the backdrop for a “Best Beach.”  Here it is the steep hillside that dramatically defines the end of Kotobikihama, seen on the left panel.  Not only does it literally define the edge of this beach, it also creates a harder to explain sense of an intimate place, a unique shape that frames this beautiful secluded cove.  Combine this with the sound of the Japanese harp sand.  Now add the smell of pinecones.  Where is the sake?

BTW Moriyama-san, president of Surfrider Japan, serves the best sake and kani no nomiso (crab’s brains) at Morigen, his family Ryokan (Inn) not far from Kotobikihama. He is the go-to person for information on current Japanese environmental issues.  Mr. Michiaki Moriyama email: [email protected]

Part of the proceeds from the sale of these prints are to fund signage to help preserve either the beach area or wildlife associated with Kotobikihama.