Small Journeys S2023E02 - The Treasured Red of Benibana Flowers―Okegawa, Saitama Prefecture

Nestled in the heart of the Kanto Plain, Okegawa in Saitama Prefecture has prospered through the cultivation of benibana, or safflower, since the Edo period. The flower was in high demand as a natural dye, but the industry suffered a decline with the emergence of chemical dyes. However, local residents have been working tirelessly for the past three decades to revive cultivation. This program introduces the stories of various individuals in Okegawa who are deeply connected to the red flower. We meet a farmer who inherited her benibana field from her father and passionately safeguards it with the help of her young children. A husband and wife eagerly anticipate benibana season and visit the fields annually to capture their beauty through photography. We also meet a woman who devotes herself to benibana dyeing alongside her circle of friends, not once forgetting about the precious memories of her late husband. Explore the lives of these individuals who protect benibana and find solace in their crimson blossoms.