About the artwork

Since 2000, this ongoing project has focused quite literally on the surface appearance of Matsudai’s downtown, restoring the front walls of its houses using traditional earthen wall building techniques. Over a period of ten years including preparation time, the rich flavor of the downtown area scenery is slowly being returned. Pursuing a building style in keeping with the scenery of the area, the walls are being restored at a rate of one per year. A joint initiative in collaboration with local builders and technological school students, this year’s opening marks the completion of the eighth building in the series. Evocative of the heritage of the artisan, the artist’s project will continue to work toward a richly textured townscape.