About the artwork

Nineteen sculptures with motifs of everyday articles carved onto them were fixed randomly in the area of Kagami-ga-ike (mirror lake). Visitors can look for these while exploring the grounds. On the water like mirror surface of the articles are carved statements about Kagami-ga-ike and places thought to be the most beautiful, like, “Isn’t spring a wonderful thing?” “Rice can be harvested and eaten, and there are vegetables in the garden.” These verbal reflections were collected and chosen by the artist Taniyama on his monthly visits to the village over an eight-month period. The articles were found sleeping in the storehouses of the residents and borrowed for casting the fixtures.