cizucu Launches Photo Contest with Daimaru Kyoto Store Following Collaborations with Kenninji Zenkyuan and Yojiya: Bringing Corporate Vision to Life Through Photography and Everyday Perspectives

From making the most of ingredients to upcycling old obi sashes and kimonos, Kyoto has long cherished the spirit of 'Shimatsu no Kokoro'—a philosophy of resourcefulness and respect for objects, passed down through generations. At Daimaru Kyoto Store, this ethos is not merely about frugality or restraint, but about embracing eco-conscious practices with creativity and enjoyment, and has inspired a variety of environmental initiatives.
Whether it’s a favorite dish found at a flea market or a vase upcycled from an empty bottle, this culture can be found woven into the fabric of our daily lives. In this context, we aim to rediscover the contemporary relevance of 'Shimatsu no Kokoro', give it tangible form through a photo contest, and exhibit the selected works at Daimaru Kyoto Store. Our hope is to deepen collective empathy for this essential cultural value and to share it as a sustainable model for society, not only in Kyoto and Japan but with the world at large. This vision is what led us to organize this photo contest.

Since the launch of our service roughly six months ago, we have held collaborative photo contests with iconic Kyoto institutions such as Kenninji Zenkyuan and Yojiya.
For the Kenninji Zenkyuan contest, 'Capture your Emotion: Where Feelings Reside in the Dew', participants were invited to look inward and express their emotions through photography, transcending the boundaries of language. The Yojiya contest, 'Yojiya and Me', was inspired by Yojiya’s desire to move beyond tourism dependency and become a beloved part of everyday life. Participants freely interpreted and expressed how Yojiya fits into their daily routines from unique perspectives.

In today’s marketing landscape, terms like 'engaging consumers' and 'generating empathy' are ubiquitous. However, many initiatives remain one-sided, with few opportunities for consumers who resonate with a brand’s message to participate beyond making a purchase.
Now, as smartphones have become universal and their cameras increasingly sophisticated, cizucu recognizes photography as the most accessible and powerful means of creative expression. We will continue to host photo contests as inclusive platforms where individuals who connect with a company’s vision can participate with ease.

The photographs submitted to our contests always exceed our expectations. They reflect fresh perspectives and are filled with ideas that even the companies themselves may not have considered. Regarding 'Yojiya and Me', we received feedback that 'the unique intersections with each person’s daily life led to many new discoveries.' Through organizing numerous photo contests, I am continually inspired by the power of photography to transcend the limitations of language in an instant, and I believe it can serve as a new bridge between companies and individuals. Our entire team is looking forward to encountering a diverse range of works in this contest as well.

This photo contest invites you to capture the spirit of 'Shimatsu no Kokoro'—the joy of sustainable living—through your lens. Whether it’s a lifestyle choice made out of love that happens to be sustainable, or a photograph conveying a message, such as children playing in a park with litter, sparking environmental action, we welcome images that freely express the everyday scenes where 'Shimatsu no Kokoro' lives on in your heart. Selected works will be turned into posters and displayed inside Daimaru Kyoto Store.

<How to Submit>
1. Download the cizucu app for iOS or Android
2. Select 'Shimatsu no Kokoro' from the 'Contest' section and submit your work (free of charge)
3. Download the cizucu app from the following links:
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id1668972556
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cizucu.cizucu

<Submission Period>
October 4, 2023 (Wed) – November 30, 2023 (Thu)

<Awards>
- Posters featuring selected submissions will be displayed inside Daimaru Kyoto Store (around March 2024)
- Purchase of photo licenses

<For More Contest Details> *You will be redirected to an external site.
https://www.cizucu.com/contests/zr8Pb6aa76IGGtL0sNwr
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[About the cizucu App]
Official Name: cizucu
Developer/Operator: cizucu Inc.
Supported Devices: iPhone, Android
Service Launch Date: March 21, 2023
App Store:  https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id1668972556
Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cizucu.cizucu
[Company Overview]
Company Name: cizucu Inc.
Business Activities: Planning and operation of cizucu
Representative: Yusei Ota
Address: 647 Nijo-han-shiki-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, engawa KYOTO, Only Karasuma Building
Established: November 24, 2022
Website:   https://www.cizucu.com
[Contact]
E-Mail: press@cizucu.com (Contact: Imai)