Island Salt

Salt

Salt is vital to the survival of almost all living things. Entire empires have been built on the salt trade, and the salt industry still has a global reach today. While much of the salt we eat has been created industrially, you can still find old traditions of salt making around the world.







The two sources of traditional salts are rock salt and sea salt. While much of the world has access to both types of salt, Japan has no natural forms of rock salt and much of the country is too humid throughout the year to rely on solar evaporation techniques. This has lead to some very unique salt producing techniques.

But without salt production life on the island chain would have been impossible. Even Tanegashima produced much of its own salt until the industrialization of the industry and imports made it impractical for most producers. That said, there is still one couple who are making salt on the island.

 

Tetsuya and Yukiko Seki (Island Graphic, 2014)



Located in the town of Minamitane near Kadokura-misaki, Tetsuya and Yukiko Seki make salt following traditional methods commonly seen on the islands in southern Japan. This process is called ryuka enden. Salt is produced by pouring seawater over the top of a large bamboo structure that spreads the salt water over a larger surface area, drying out the salt which is then harvested. Salt produced in this way is not as refined as table salt, but has unique flavors that are very delicious.

Mr. Seki is reluctant to change the way he produces his salt, despite the fact that the process for getting bamboo for the drip frame is difficult compared to other means. Many salt producers use nets rather than the traditional bamboo in order to save on costs and time. On the other hand, Mr. Seki has to grow the bamboo he uses for the frame each year.

The Seki's sell their salt in Minamitane, for about 700 yen per 250 grams. Mr. Seki recommends that it tastes best when used on Italian pasta and other noodles. If you ever come to Tanegashima, I heartily recommend visiting them and trying some of their salt!