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Meet Midori-san


This little plant is one of my favorite new finds,, and is a slightly different take on the everyday garden. Midori-san lives over in Kamakura (a very popular tourist destination that is well worth the trip from Tokyo) in Donburi Cafe Dining. What's so special about this little green (Midori is the Japanese word for "green") friend is that visitors can chat with her/him. Yup, that's right. Midori-san fills diners in on the temperature, lighting, and humidity. But that's not all! Touch a leaf, and Midori-san will relay the chemical relationship between the two of you.

Created by KAYAC Co. Ltd, and Keio University's Hiroya Tanaka Laboratory in order to increase awareness of the natural world, Midori-san also keeps a blog. (What modern plant wouldn't, for heaven's sake?) Blog readers can also treat Midori-san to a dose of light via a widget on the blog, which is, of course, much-appreciated.

Image courtesty of KAYAC Co. Ltd.
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Comments

Rachel said…
That sounds amazing! Nothing like combining the best of reality entertainment, technology, and gardening! Can't wait to hear how your rice is doing. I'm ashamed to admit I don't even know what rice looks like when it grows. Isn't that terrible?
May 6, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Andrea Parker said…
This blog has lovely pictures.
May 7, 2010 at 7:06 AM
Alexandra Grabbe said…
This post is a riot! Is this plant for real?? I want one!
I have been placing annuals in my garden today, half way round the world on Cape Cod. They hum to me when I give them water and smile when the sun comes out ....
May 7, 2010 at 7:15 AM
Joan Lambert Bailey said…
Rachel, don't be ashamed in the least! I had no idea myself until we came here, and even in America we ate it almost every day.

Thanks, Andrea! You're too kind. My husband takes a majority of the photos, and I think he does a good job but I'm biased. :)

It is, indeed, for real, Alexandra. What did you plant, and did different plants hum different tunes? I confess, I chatter to my plants in the garden (passers-by must think I'm mad!)all the time. I enjoy their company, so I hope they enjoy mine.
May 7, 2010 at 9:25 AM
Anjuli said…
How utterly fascinating!!!!!
May 7, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Sara said…
So glad I found you through the Blogathon. The idea of a blog for a plant just blows my mind.

Why didn't I think of that? Right?
May 7, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Joan Lambert Bailey said…
Sara, isn't that the truth? It's such a cool idea. Now, every plant I look at has me wondering what it would blog about if it could. Thanks for reading!
May 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM
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