Something Unusual?

Earlier in August, I visited Saito Farm on the outskirts of Asahikawa, where another music festival called Celebration of Oneness 2009 is going to be held on Sunday, September 27th.

I am very happy to find this farm very peaceful and full of lives. It will surely be great for me to perform music "outdoors" here with a whole bunch of great artists.

Great smile! The owner, Akira Saito has been practicing his own way of sustainable farming style consistently and stubbornly for more than 60 years!

The milk produced here is thick and rich, which instantly reminded me of that good old flavor of Trappist Monastery Butter Candy.

However, there are some things very unusual with the cattle grazing on this farm. Look at this photo!

In Japan, it is hard to find such dairy farms. Have you noticed?

For more photos, please visit my gallery page on this farm.

8月初旬、旭川郊外の「斎藤牧場」を訪ねた。ここでも9/27（日）に音楽祭「いのちの響宴2009」が開催されるからだ。

とても平和で生命力にあふれた牧場。こんなところで野外ライブ、それも名だたるアーチストたちと一緒にできるなんてきっとすばらしいに違いない。

この笑顔！牧場主の斎藤晶氏、60年以上もこだわりの（今でいう）持続可能な牧畜スタイルを貫いてきた。

牛乳も一飲みで懐かしいトラピストバター飴の風味を思い出させるほど、濃くてリッチ。

そして、この牛の写真。日本の牧場ではかなり普通じゃない風景。気がつきましたか？

他にもたくさん写真をこちらでどうぞ。