Zakko CLUB — Freelance Curator · Ise-Shima
Hearing the voice
of the creatures
we call zako.
From the sea of Ise-Shima — giving that voice a form, by hand. The practice of one freelance curator.
Statement
More than one
job title.
A fisherman, a researcher, a photographer, and a maker of tools. Looking closely at each of the small creatures usually lumped together as zako, and re-weaving the ties between people and the sea — that is the work, continued from the sea of Ise-Shima.
Ise-Shima, Japan
Listening to the zako,
and giving it form.
Selected Work
A selection of our work.
ZC-001
Fisherman
Spiny-lobster gill-netting, trap fishing, and line fishing — a working fisherman of Ise-Shima. Knowing the sea from the front line underpins every other practice.
ZC-002
Field Research & Survey Collaboration
Field-based research spanning the Toba City Marine Red Data Book 2023 — planning, coordination, field surveys, and writing (429 species; Japan's first marine RDB) — coastal biodiversity monitoring, offshore wind farm baseline surveys, survey-vessel chartering, environmental assessment surveys, and participation in policy recommendations on integrated coastal management within Japan's Basic Plan on Ocean Policy.
ZC-003
Underwater Photography & Science Communication
Underwater photography documenting seagrass and seaweed beds, traditional ama free-diving fisheries, and feeding behavior in marine organisms — used for science communication, research, education, and media.
ZC-004
Ike-jime Aged Spiny Lobster
A humane ike-jime and aging technique that makes spiny lobster easy to cook at home and remarkably sweet.
ZC-005
Frame-type Lightweight Dredge (SK-IV)
A registered utility-model dredge (Japan Utility Model No. 3224300) with a frame structure for lightweight, balanced sampling on any substrate. Supplied to universities and research institutions — and contributed to the first Nagoya-area sighting of a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) in roughly 30 years.
ZC-006
Furutaka-maru Onboard Experience Programs
Onboard experiences aboard the vessel Furutaka-maru: boat rides, fishing trips, and fisherman-for-a-day programs. Meet and disperse on-site; group size flexible.
ZC-007
Ocean Education & Nature Experience Programs
Ocean literacy and nature experience programs — including boat rides and fishing experiences — that begin with simply enjoying the sea and deepen understanding of it, for participants of all ages. Custom programs available for schools and groups.
ZC-008
Support & Join
Turning one person's work — surveys, records, tools, education — into a shared project. We are preparing ways to welcome both funding and people who want to take part.
