#Japan #Osaka #BOTANIST #I-ne #Chie Morimoto

BOTANIST CREATIVE AWARD 2026: Celebrating Nature's Wisdom

On June 23, 2026, I-ne Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chuo Ward, Osaka, announced the winners of the inaugural BOTANIST CREATIVE AWARD 2026. This competition aimed to showcase the wisdom that can be derived from plants, inviting participants to submit their creative works in still images or videos that embody this concept.

About the Award

The BOTANIST brand has a mission to elevate and share the importance of living in harmony with nature. With the theme of “Wisdom from Plants,” the award was established to inspire creativity and raise awareness of the lessons that plants can teach us about resilience, beauty, and the interconnectedness of life.

The inaugural event welcomed both professional and amateur artists, encouraging them to explore the theme by freely incorporating BOTANIST’s products and logo into their works. The panel of judges featured Chie Morimoto, a distinguished art director and creative director from Japan, who carefully evaluated the entries and selected winners based on creativity and expression.

Winning Entries

Grand Prize

“Small Completing Form” by koke.maro

Comments from Chie Morimoto: “This work draws attention to the microcosm of life, particularly the charming and seemingly communicative rabbit-turned-plant. I was amazed to learn that it is a carnivorous plant, illustrating a blend of beauty and survival wisdom.”

I-ne’s Shin Imai remarked: “This piece invites us to recognize the unseen dynamics of nature that correlate to human society. The rabbit plant teaches us the importance of broadening our perspectives while also observing the minuscule worlds around us.”

BOTANIST Team’s Reflection: “The hidden richness found in small plants reveals the survival wisdom they embody, documented poignantly by this artist.”

Judge's Choice Awards

• - “Breathe, Breathing” by Caori Murata

> “The imagination shown in this piece flourishes beautifully, especially with the imagery of budding eyes hinting at deeper narratives connected to our lives.”

• - “To the Future with Plants” by Sakurako Ito

> “This artwork captured my heart instantly with its delicate beauty, employing textile-like expressions to create a visually enchanting rhythm of colors and textures.”

• - “Borrowed from Nature” by Tomio Sugawara

> “The interpretation shines with a unique perspective that conveys both the wisdom and allure of plants, leaving viewers with new insights into their potential.”

BOTANIST Award Winners

• - “Origin and Structure of Plants” by Jiro Nagamine

• - “Night Flight” by Mika Seki

• - “Tracing the Essence of Nature” by Mayu Kakuma

In addition, works capturing the essence of urban life, such as “Everyday Living with Nature” by Koki Tsukimura and “Roots of Memory” by Masato Yanagida, also garnered significant attention and praise for their artistic vision.

About the Judges

Chie Morimoto

Chie Morimoto, born in Misawa, Aomori, graduated from Musashino Art University. After working at Hakuhodo, she founded goen° in 2007, leading diverse projects spanning advertising, product design, and spatial direction. Morimoto has created notable artworks for acclaimed Japanese musicians and won multiple awards for her excellence across various domains.

Shin Imai

Shin Imai is one of the founding members of I-ne. He spearheaded the establishment of their e-commerce operations and led the creative team in branding and marketing. With a strong influence from hardcore music culture, Imai has helmed the creative direction for brands such as BOTANIST, YOLU, and SALONIA.

The BOTANIST CREATIVE AWARD 2026 encourages everyone to tap into the inspiration and lessons that nature has to offer. Participants and audiences alike are invited to discover the vibrant perspectives that can emerge from our relationship with plants.