ITADORI Remedy

Japanese knotweed, introduced to Europe in the 17th century by Philipp Franz von Siebold, is now widely despised for its aggressive spread and is heavily targeted for removal in places like the Netherlands. In Japan, however, it is known as Itadori, traditionally used for pain relief and appreciated as a seasonal food, coexisting more naturally within the ecosystem.

In ITADORI Remedy, three fictional monologue style advertisement by a Japanese woman address forms of pain—overwork, intra-Asian prejudice, and mixed-race identity—through the metaphor of an imagined “ITADORI cream,” reflecting how social structures shape suffering and the idea of relief.

In Still Life with Japanese Knotweed, Hiroi reinterprets Still Life with Asparagus by Adriaen Coorte, replacing asparagus with knotweed to question cultural value systems. A delicate glass sculpture and accompanying text mimic museum display conventions, highlighting how narratives define what is cherished or rejected.
 

Concept, Research and Development: Kumi Hiroi 

Curator: Alice Smit (Zone2Source) Actress:Yuki Homma, Camera and Sound Recording: Yoshiya Hirayama, Sound and Music advise: Bram Kneest Special thanks to: Natsuko Kageyama, ROY, Mayu-chan and Teams at Zone2Source