Plant Hunter Seijun Nishihata

We want to deliver a shocking experience through plants

Representative Director of Office N Seijun Co., Ltd. and Sora Botanical Garden Co., Ltd.　The first thing I did was(Nishihata Seijun)

■ Profile

He travels all over Japan and the world to collect a wide variety of plants. He is a modern-day plant hunter who delivers plants at the request of government agencies, companies, royalty, and others both in Japan and overseas. He handles international trade of over 200 tons of plants per year, successfully leading numerous projects and creating a sensation in the industry.

Seijun Nishihata travels the world as a plant hunter. He is now captivated by plants and says that this job is his calling, but surprisingly, he wasn't particularly interested in plants until he was 21. We spoke to Nishihata about the experience that led him to start this job, the philosophy that underlies his work, and his feelings about plants.

■What kind of work is it?

My family business was selling plants to distributors, and while I vaguely thought I'd do the same someday, I honestly had no interest in plants. However, I've always had a strong sense of curiosity and adventure, and at age 21, I climbed a 4000-meter mountain on the remote island of Borneo and was astounded by the sight of the world's largest carnivorous plant. This experience completely transformed my perspective and sparked my interest in plants. Now, I work delivering plants to all kinds of people. I don't just deliver plants; I deliver them with an understanding of them. At the core of this is my desire to provide people with a truly transformative experience through plants. 80-90% of my work comes from repeat customers and referrals, and when I take on new work, I value the enthusiasm of the people I work with. This is because I want to give my all to those who want to work with me. I live in hotels for about 80% of the year. While I travel a lot every day, I simultaneously juggle multiple projects, such as finding, purchasing, and selling plants. I enjoy my work by traveling, climbing mountains that tell the story of the place, visiting shrines and temples, and absorbing the energy of nature to hone my sensibilities.

■What do plants mean to Nishihata?

Plants are everything to me. They are the most important thing on Earth, and I believe there is nothing more fascinating. They are like comrades in arms or lovers, and are also a very useful tool that helps me realize the potential and ambitions within myself. I've recently realized that by utilizing the magical tool that is plants, I can get influential people involved. No matter how amazing a person is, they will listen to what I have to say about plants. Even people who are way above me will tell me, "What you're doing is special."

■For individuals to shine in the world

People have no qualms about imitating others. Every few years or decades, a game-changer emerges who transforms an industry. I wanted to pursue my own path as long as I was alive. To hone your individuality, you need to find something you love. Meeting new people is also important. While I was engrossed in my work, a TV producer introduced me to someone I could call a mentor. Meeting him changed my way of thinking and helped me develop my own unique field. The opposite is also true: parting ways with others can change your life. No one is stronger than they are without doubt; the more doubt they have, the weaker they become. In my case, I have decided to devote my whole being to plants, and I am confident that I will have no regrets in life, so I have no doubts. A person without doubts will not give up, even when they encounter major obstacles or unpleasant experiences. As a result, many people will support you. However, I believe that doubts are important and valuable while you are a student. Just keep your antennae up.

Student Newspaper April 1, 2024 Issue Sophia University Junior College 2nd Year Shiori Ohno