About the artwork

The artist has been collaborating with the people of Doichi since 2003 to create pieces that emit sounds. In 2009, responding to local input for something that would “make it easier to find the entrance of the mountain path and allow sounds to be enjoyed while hiking,” the artist created 1,500 sound-emitting ceramic objects shaped like wind-chimes and set them up at a temple dedicated to the spirits of the war dead. All students participated in painting the objects at a workshop held at Tokamachi Higashi Primary School. Local techniques in building structures to dry harvested rice were employed in setting up the piece, and it was completed without a design plan. The blowing wind plays a concert of the sounds of the mountains, the cicadas and other insects, and Tsumari.