About the artwork

Deep in the Akiyamago valley lies the village of Ketto. Wooden beams stretch across the ceiling of the former primary school gymnasium-turned hotsprings pension, along with colorful sculptures. The theme of the work is traditional rural houses around the world, starting with those in Echigo-Tsumari. Visitors are greeted with the buzz of everyday life and folks songs showering down from the ceiling. At times, the howling of wolves rings out from the speakers on the school grounds. The wolf’s howl, which may well have been heard 100 years ago, recalls things long gone and leads visitors back in time.