New Silica Japan Steps Onto the Global Stage
A new silica material born from Japanese rice husks made its global debut—
following its presentation at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai,
it shone on one of the world’s most prestigious stages:
Paris Fashion Week.
Drops of the World Tree — A Dance of the Shrine Maiden and the Fairy, Weaving the Threads of Life
Paris, France — October 2025.
At Paris Fashion Week, one of the world’s most prestigious fashion events, rice husk silica—a natural material originating in Japan—made its debut on the global stage.
The presentation featured a theatrical performance entitled Drops of the World Tree — A Dance of the Shrine Maiden and the Fairy, Weaving the Threads of Life.
Against an enchanting backdrop reminiscent of ancient mythology, a shrine maiden and a fairy brought to life a story symbolizing life, renewal, and hope for the planet.
As the shrine maiden offered a prayer and cut through the darkness with a sword of light, the World Tree began to glow, releasing radiant drops of life.
These “Drops of the World Tree” symbolize silica derived from rice husks—an agricultural resource that has long been underutilized—and the possibilities it holds for the future.
Where Fashion Meets Technology
At the climax of the performance, presenter Mack spoke about the initiative to introduce silica derived from Japanese rice husks into the world of fashion.
“For us, the ‘Drops of the World Tree’ are tiny white spheres born in Japan—silica.
Our journey has begun: transforming rice husks, once regarded as waste, into hope.”
A garment-care spray featuring a silica-based formulation was also introduced during the presentation.
Designed with garment freshness and odor control in mind, the spray aims to help people keep their treasured clothing fresh, comfortable, and enjoyable to wear for longer.
By bringing together materials, technology, and fashion, the presentation introduced a new approach that seeks to balance environmental responsibility with everyday comfort.
A Message for the Future, Conveyed Through Art
The presentation was about more than simply introducing a product or material.
Through the story of the shrine maiden and the fairy—together with music, costumes, and lighting—it expressed the importance of preserving the gifts we receive from nature and passing them on to future generations.
Sakurako Tanaka, who portrayed the fairy, said:
“Art has the power to move people’s hearts and transform society.”
Risa Sekiguchi, who portrayed the shrine maiden, shared a message of hope:
“No matter how deep the darkness, it will one day be embraced by the light of dawn.”
Presenter Mack concluded the presentation with the following words:
“They are cultural ambassadors carrying a message of hope—a new generation of ambassadors of light, connecting the world through art.”
From Rice Husks to the World — A Sustainable Cycle of Beauty
This presentation represented a new endeavor to convey our hopes for the planet and the future through fashion and storytelling.
Rice husks, which have often remained underutilized or been discarded, can be transformed into a valuable material for the future.
Through technology, this familiar resource from Japanese rice cultivation can acquire new value and find applications not only in fashion but also across a wide range of fields.
This is the “sustainable cycle of beauty” that New Silica Japan seeks to create.
For us, the “Drops of the World Tree” represent silica derived from Japanese rice husks.
By bringing together the gifts of nature and the power of technology, we seek to transform underutilized resources into new forms of value that benefit society.
New Silica Japan will continue to pursue a wide range of initiatives—from research and development to real-world application—to share the potential of rice husk silica with the world.