The ‘Road of Light and Hope’ photography exhibition of Tōdai-ji’s National Treasures (by MIRO ITO) opened on 29 September, at the University of Salamanca in Spain. After being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in May 2016, this is its13th venue in 11 countries on world tour.

Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center (Palacio de San Boal), Salamanca

This exhibition promotes the all-encompassing worldview of the Huayan (Kegon in Japanese) philosophy, which holds that ‘all things are interconnected and everything is linked as one’. Around 1,300 years ago, in a time of national crisis, when Japan suffered major earthquakes and famines while smallpox was rampant, Emperor Shōmu issued an imperial edict in 743 CE ordering the construction of the Great Buddha—as a catalyst of national unity.

Over half of the nation’s estimated 5 million population heeded Shōmu’s appeal to help create the statue: ‘even with just a single stem of straw and a handful of earth’.

Brochure (‘Road of Light and Hope: National Treasures of Tōdai-ji Temple by Miro Ito)

That nothing in this world exists in isolation; that everything is infinitely interconnected and interrelated; that all things are one—this message should be embraced by all as something extremely important that we can do in our everyday lives. Even though the empathy of one individual may only be a tiny ripple, it can resonate through the whole world as through a tuning fork.

“Empress Michiko Hall”: The only venue in the world permitted to bear the name of a former Empress (with a photograph of retired emperor & empress displayed in the top left-hand corner)

Unraveling the History of East-West Exchange: From National Treasures to Important Cultural Properties, including hidden Buddhist statues

Another focus of this exhibition is to trace the history of East-West cultural exchange and highlight the commonalities between East and West as well as North and South within cultures.

Four Heavenly Kings (Kaidan-dō) and two photographs depicting Hokke-dō’s inner sanctum (back of right side)

During the golden age of the Tang Dynasty (712–765), centered on the reign of Emperor Xuanzong and known as the ‘High Tang’, the capital of Chang’an saw the blossoming of a culture of unprecedented international diversity, fueled by trade along the Silk Road. This remarkable international character and diversity were also introduced to Heijō-kyō (710–794), Japan’s imperial capital at the time. Today, Nara, along with Chang’an (Xi’an) across the sea, are known as the ‘easternmost terminus of the Silk Road

Hidden statue of Vajrapani in the Hokke-dō (left) and statue of Indra (Gakkō)

In this exhibition, we explore the points of convergence between the zeniths of Eastern and Western aesthetic traditions, as seen in a collection of 8th-century National Treasure Buddhist statues (Japanese National Treasures), which were photographed with special permission from Tōdai-ji Temple. These include the hidden statue of Vajrapani in the Hokke-dō, which has its origins in Hercules, and the Four Heavenly Kings statues in the Kaidan-dō, which follow the realistic style of classical Greek art, and the statues traditionally attributed to Nikkō and Gakkō (representing Indra and Brahma), which were originally part of the same ensemble: an impressive collection of masterpieces of Nara-period clay-sculpture

Inner Sanctum of Hokke-dō (Principle image: Fukūkensaku Kannon)/ Brochure: ‘Camino de Luz y Esperanza: Tesoros Nacionales del Templo Tōdai-ji por Miro Ito

Furthermore, an ancient Greek historian once pointed out that the statue of the Bodhisattva Fukūkensaku Kannon (Sanskrit: Amoghapāśa) in the Hokke-dō is also linked to Hercules through its association with the god Shiva.

Senju Kannon/Thousand-Armed Kannon statues: Tōdai-ji Museum and Senju-dō

In addition, the Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva statue (11~12 centuries), the principal image enshrined in the Shigatsu-dō Hall at Tōdai-ji, and the Thousand-Armed Kannon statue (13 century)—a secret statue enshrined in the Senjūdō Hall—also add a unique touch to the exhibition.

Senju Kannon/Thousand-Armed Kannon statues: Tōdai-ji Museum and Senju-dō (right side wall: from the right to middle)

(Brochure: ‘Camino de Luz y Esperanza: Tesoros Nacionales del Templo Tōdai-ji por Miro Ito)

The exhibits also include such photographs as the 8^th century Gagaku masks from Tōdai-ji—which bring together performing arts and folk traditions from along the Oasis Route—as well as the 12 century Bugaku masks—a collection of court performing arts from along the Maritime Silk Road—belonging to the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine; both sites are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site: Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

Gigaku masks of Tōdai-ji (right wall) and Bugaku masks of Kasuga-Taisha Shrine

Gigaku masks of Tōdai-ji (right wall) and Bugaku masks of Kasuga-Taisha Shrine (middle wall) and Buddhist statues of Daianji (left) and Shorin-ji (middle in left wall)

The masterpieces of the Buddhist sculpture art of the 8th century of Daian-ji and Shōrin-ji will be also added in the coming venue in Salamanca. Furthermore, a new short film by Miro Ito will be screened on site (in Spanish): The Vairocana Buddha of Tōdai-ji Temple: Formation of Cosmic Life-Force and Light of Wisdom.

Buddhist statues of Daianji (left), Shōrin-ji (middle) and Tōdai-ji Temples

Opening Ceremony

The National Treasures featured in this exhibition are represented by two life-size statues of Prince Shōtoku—both considered to be ‘hidden Buddha’ statues: a Kannon of Salvation from the Asuka period (early to mid-7th century) and a statue of Prince Shōtoku (Regent Statue, 1122) created 500 years after his death in 622 CE.

The Kudara Kannon statue, exhibited at the Louvre in 1997, and the Yumechigai Kannon (lit. Dream Changer) statue, exhibited at the British Museum in 2019, also add to the exhibition’s appeal. Two more important statues—the two-year-old and the sixteen-year-old Prince Shōtoku—which were created as Prince Shōtoku’s beliefs spread, are Important Cultural Property from Gangō-ji (formerly Hōkō-ji), Japan’s first Buddhist temple.

From left to right: Mr. Takeda, Mr. Flores, Ms. Martinez and Miro Ito

Inauguration speech by Miro Ito (translated into Spanish by Ms. Sugiyama)

Dates: 29th September to 18th December 2026

Opening hours: Monday to Friday (11:00 AM to 1:45 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:45 PM)

Address: Pl. de San Boal, 13, 37002 Salamanca, Spain

Tel: +34 923 29 45 60

Organised by: Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, University of Salamanca（Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés, Universidad de Salamanca)

Co-organised by: Media Art League + Japan Camera Industry Institute

Concept and Production: Media Art League

Photo permits by: Tōdai-ji, Daian-ji, Shōrin-j Temples; Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Nara National Museum

Photography, text and video by: Miro Ito

English editing by: Andreas Boettcher

Spanish editing by: Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, University of Salamanca

Endorsed by: Embassy of Japan in Spain; Japan Foundation, Madrid

More Information

FUNDACIÓN JAPÓN MADRID

Quest for the wisdom of our forebears seeking global harmony

In a world fraught with uncertainty, one way to continue to inspire a yearning for peace is by learning from the wisdom and achievements of those who came before us. After personally experiencing the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, I sought such wisdom from my forebears in Japan. The achievements of Prince Shōtoku (aka Prince Umayado, 574–622)—a sage synonymous with the origins of Japanese culture—soon emerged as a central theme.

First overseas photography exhibition featuring Horyu-ji’s National Treasures

The photographic exhibition ‘Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji Temple and Prince Shōtoku’ (by MIRO ITO/Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative & Media Art League) is ongoing at the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, University of Salamanca in Spain until 19 June 2026. This exhibition, the first overseas exhibition featuring Hōryū-ji’s National Treasures (in a luxurious hanging-scroll photography format, opened on 17 March to mark the 25th Salamanca Japanese Culture Week.

Prince Shōtoku: Scene from “Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji Temple and Prince Shōtoku” (short film by Miro Ito, English version)

Hōryū-ji: the Cradle of Japanese art

The Hōryū-ji is renowned for having the world’s oldest surviving ensemble of wooden buildings and is the first site in Japan to be designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. This invaluable collection of Buddhist art, that includes numerous National Treasures and designated cultural property that epitomise the cultural zenith of East Asia during the 7th century (the Asuka period). Drawing on Buddhist art from China and the Korean Peninsula, thes artistic masterpieces—which underwent uniquely Japanese refinements—are regarded as the cradle of Japanese art and artisanship.

The exhibition hall—the only one in the world allowed to bear the name of Empress Michiko—is adorned with photographs of her and retired Emperor Emeritus Akihito (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

National Treasure Masterpieces of the 7th century

The National Treasures featured in this exhibition are represented by two life-size statues of Prince Shōtoku—both considered to be ‘hidden Buddha’ statues: a Kannon of Salvation from the Asuka period (early to mid-7th century) and a statue of Prince Shōtoku (Regent Statue, 1122) created 500 years after his death in 622 CE.

A view of the exhibition “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”: Hidden Statue of Kuse Kannon (left) and Hidden Statue of Prince Shotoku (right)

Kuse Kannon: Scene from “Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji Temple and Prince Shōtoku” (short film by Miro Ito, English version)

Kudara Kannon: Scene from: ‘Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji Temple and Prince Shōtoku’ (short film by Miro Ito)

The Kudara Kannon statue, exhibited at the Louvre in 1997, and the Yumechigai Kannon (lit. Dream Changer) statue, exhibited at the British Museum in 2019, also add to the exhibition’s appeal. Two more important statues—the two-year-old and the sixteen-year-old Prince Shōtoku—which were created as Prince Shōtoku’s beliefs spread, are Important Cultural Property from Gangō-ji (formerly Hōkō-ji), Japan’s first Buddhist temple.

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

A view of the exhibition “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”: Prince Shōtoku statues of Hōrryū-ji and Gangōr-ji Temples (far right and third from right) (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

Prince Shōtoku’s aspirations for peace

Having created the basis of Japan as a nation in terms of social system, religion, philosophy, education and fine arts; Prince Shōtoku embodies the origins of Japan’s culture. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view global treasures that showcase the finest examples of 7th-century East Asian art—not only from Japan but from across the region—in the context of Prince Shōtoku’s aspirations for peace, dating back more than 1,400 years.

Artist/creator MIRO ITO, obtained special permission from the Hōryū-ji and invested 20 years to take these photographs and videos.The exhibition will be open until 19th June 2026, and the public is welcome to view it in the Hall of Her Empress Michiko (Palace of San Boal) at the University of Salamanca—Europe’s fourth-oldest university—at the heart of the World Cultural Heritage city of Salamanca.

La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku (The Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji and Prince Shōtoku)

Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés (Universidad de Salamanca)

Dates: 16th March to 19th June 2026

Opening hours: Monday to Friday (11:00 AM to 1:45 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:45 PM)

Address: Pl. de San Boal, 13, 37002 Salamanca, Spain

Tel: +34 923 29 45 60

URL: https://www.centrojapones.es/exposicion-templo-horyuji-2026/

More Information

JAPAN AUTHENTIC HERITAGE (previous blog)

MEDIA ART LEAGUE (previous blog No.15)

https://mediaartleague.org/en/blog/media-art-message-no-15/

TRIBUNA SALAMANCA

https://www.tribunasalamanca.com/noticias/438030/japon-desembarca-en-salamanca-una-semana-de-arte-gastronomia-y-tradicion-en-la-universidad

FUNDACIÓN JAPÓN MADRID

https://md.jpf.go.jp/es/Actividades/Eventos-organizados-por-otras-instituciones/evento/351/exposicion-fotografica-miro-ito-salamanca

SALAMANCA.COM

https://www.salamanca.com/evento/la-importancia-historica-del-templo-horyu-ji-y-el-principe-shotoku-en-el-cchj-exposicion-en-salamanca-2026/

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

A World Premiere: the first photographic exhibition of the Hōryū-ji’s historical relics, to be shown outside Japan

A photographic exhibition entitled ‘The Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji and Prince Shōtoku  (La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku)’ opened at the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center (University of Salamanca) in Spain on 16th March 2026. Amid growing global turmoil, this project aims to promote the spirit of ‘harmony’—that underpins the ‘Seventeen-Article Constitution’ promulgated by Crown Prince Shōtoku in 604—to the wider world. The required photography/filming work—for which exceptional permission was granted by the Hōryū-ji Temple—took 20 years to complete. This is the first exhibition of its kind to showcase the National Treasures of the Hōryū-ji, outside of Japan.

Poster: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku (Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji Temple and Prince Shōtoku)

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

Objectives

Through photographs and documentary footage showcasing the Hōryū-ji’s treasures and events, this exhibition explores the temple’s history at the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Moreover, it places the achievements of Prince Shōtoku (Prince Umayato)—who laid the foundations for Japan’s politics and culture that continue to this day—within the context of East Asian history from the 7th century onwards..

A view of the exhibition in the “Empress Michiko Hall” (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

A view of the exhibition “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”
“Empress Michiko Hall” (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

Exhibited Work

The exhibition features photographic work and a video poem (15 minutes in Spanish) showcasing artefacts—that convey the grandeur of ancient East Asian Buddhism—which reached Nara via the Silk Roads. At the collection’s core are outstanding National Treasures from the Asuka period, including the Shakyamuni Triad, the Standing Statue of the Hidden Buddha, the Kuse Kannon, the Kudara Kannon, the Yumemichi Kannon, the Yakushi Nyorai, and the Four Heavenly Kings.

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

A portion of the exhibition “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”
“Empress Michiko Hall” (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

A view of the exhibition “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”
“Empress Michiko Hall” (Photo: Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative)

Salamanca Japanese Culture Week

In 1999 the “Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center” (which includes the Empress Michiko Hall) was established at the Palace of Saint-Boire

The entire city of Salamanca was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Centre was established there in 1999 as an annex to the University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1208 and is the fourth oldest still-existing university in the world. The centre’s ‘Empress Michiko Hall’ (formerly the Palais San Boileau), is the only cultural facility in the world permitted to bear the name of the former Empress of Japan. The annual ‘Salamanca Japanese Culture Week’, held here every year, serves as a focus for cultural exchange between Spain and Japan through exhibitions, lectures and concerts marking its 25th anniversary this year.

At the opening ceremony of the 25th Salamanca Japanese Cultural Week on 16 March, Professor Jose Abel Vilarejo of the University of Salamanca, Director of the Spanisch-Japanese Cultural Center, and Shinichi Sato, Charge d’Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in Spain, and Mr. Yasutaka Takeda, Director of the Japan Foundation, Madrid, delivered opening remarks. Following these, Miro Ito (Initiator of the Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative/Media Art League), photo-artist and producer of the Hōryū-ji exhibition, gave a speech.

At the opening of the 25th Salamanca Japanese Culture Week, 16 March 2026.
L to R: Ms. Ito; Director Floreso, the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Centre; Ms. Martinez, Vice-Rector for Cultural Assets, Heritage and Conservation at the University of Salamanca;
Mr. Sato, Chargé d’Affaires, Japanese Embassy and Director Takeda, Japan Foundation, Madrid (Photo: Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés, Universidad de Salamanca)

At the opening event of “La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku”
(Photo: Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés, Universidad de Salamanca)

The next day, Ms. Ito gave a 50-minute lecture, “Two Sages of Japan: Prince Shōtoku and Emperor Shōmu”, to students of Japanese / East-Asian art and history, at the University of Salamanca. Her emphasis on Prince Shōtoku’s core value of “Harmony”, as the first and foremost of the 17-Articles in his Constitution, resonated well and garnered many remarks like “That is precisely the message the world needs today”.

Although parts of this lecture had been presented during Ito’s commemorative lecture in 2021 at Nara Prefecture’s Great Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition, the current global tensions, gave the topic a particular relevance, as this appeal for harmony and understanding –transcending time and space– resonated well with the young Spaniards in attendance. Consequently, Miro Ito is determined to deliver similar messages at subsequent exhibitions in many countries around the world. She vowed “I will gladly travel anywhere in the world to spread this appeal for harmony and peace—should I be invited …”

A Commemorative lecture: “Two Sages of Japan: Prince Shōtoku and Emperor Shōmu (as part of a course at the University of Salamanca)
(Photo: Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés, Universidad de Salamanca)

The exhibition will run for three months until 19 June 2026.

Please do make a trip to Salamanca or Nara in Japan.

Organised by: The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, University of Salamanca（Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés, Universidad de Salamanca)

Co-organised by: Japan Camera Industry Institute, Japan Authentic Heritage Initiative

Concept and Production: Media Art League

Photo permits by: Hōryū-ji Temple

Photography, text and video by: Miro Ito

English editing by: Andreas Boettcher

Spanish editing by: The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, University of Salamanca

Endorsed by: Embassy of Japan in Spain; Japan Foundation, Madrid

Production of cine-poetry: Nara Prefecture

Funded by: The Tokyo Club

The Historical Significance of Hōryū-ji and Prince Shōtoku

(La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku)

Centro Cultural Hispano Japonés (Universidad de Salamanca)

Dates: 16th March to 19th June 2026

Opening hours: Monday to Friday (11:00 AM to 1:45 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:45 PM)

Address: Pl. de San Boal, 13, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
Tel: +34 923 29 45 60
URL: https://www.centrojapones.es/exposicion-templo-horyuji-2026/

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

Prospectus: La importancia histórica del templo Hōryū-ji y el príncipe Shōtoku

Road of Light and Hope
Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo (National Museum of the World Culture)

Chain of Sympathy

Not only calamity and blight, the roots of war and poverty, but also imminent issues like the increasing tendency of social, regional and global fragmentation, or environmental pollution and global warming, cannot be frozen in time. They must be addressed now and we must treat the Earth as if it were one precious life and foster solidarity by truly empathizing with each other.

To determine our future is to act with sympathy; being part of the problems, we now must be part of the solution. Even though the empathy of one individual may only be a tiny ripple, it can resonate through the whole world as through a tuning fork…

Just as a pebble exists on the ground, so does a star in the cosmos. A pebble, star, plant, animal, or human, all complement and support each other as fellow travelers. This Weltanschauung universally permeates East and West, North and South…

“Split a piece of wood and I am there, Lift a stone and you will find me” (Jesus, in the Gospel of Thomas, Nag Hammadi Collection)

This common wisdom of West and East should be the guideline of our actions with   empathy for all forms of life on our Blue Planet, where a speck of dust as well as the endlessly vast universe can both be regarded as ONE.

“All is one and one is all”

With the kind support of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Japan Foundation, following the invitation of the “Road of Light and Hope” exhibition series to various events or cultural institutes commemorating milestones in Japan’s relations with other nations, it is a great honour for me to have growing speaking engagements in those contexts. (*co-organized by Japanese overseas missions, the Japan Foundation, Media Art League, Japan Camera Industry Institute, etc.)

What began with a speech at the Council of Europe in 2016, is continuing with “Artist’s Talks” at the Japan Foundation Toronto, workshops at the University of Chicago, lectures at the opening event of the “Japan Month” in Rio de Janeiro and in Mexico City in November 2018…

My recurring themes are from Eastern Kegon (Hua-yen) philosophy which has much in common with Western Neo-Platonism including the notion that “All is one and one is all” that the universe is “one living entity” and that there is sympathy (συμπαθεια) within everything (Neo-Platonism).

In order to inspire such sympathy between East and West, my intention is to focus —via photo exhibitions, movie screenings and lectures— on select ancient tangible and intangible World Cultural Heritage of Japan, which reflects the legacy of Hellenistic cultural influences in Nara.

Showing photographic art work of outstanding National treasures of Japan and  Important Cultural Property, that can be traced as far back as 14 centuries ago, as “evidence” to connect the cultural origins of West and East transcending the Silk Roads, our activities are intended to convey the message that we all are one and all is interconnected.

Speaking Engagements in Rio and Mexico City

In July, I had the honour of holding a lecture with short movie screenings at the opening event of the “Japan Month” at the venue of my “Road of Light and Hope” exhibition (Cultural Center Correios Rio de Janerio) in commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Brazil.  After the event, the former American Consul General expressed her sympathy for my message which she took as an inspiration. Moreover, what I experienced at the Rio de Janeiro State University enhanced my conviction on the importance to point out the ancient cultural interrelations of West and East. In the end, the “Japan Month” in Rio had 62,000 visitors over three and a half weeks.

Lecture at the opening event of “Japan Month” in Rio

On 8th November 2018, the memorial event to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Mexico was held at the National Museum of the World Cultures in Mexico City. This event is showing Japanese   culture in an extent as has not been seen in recent years. As my “Road of Light and Hope” exhibition was also invited, I had an opportunity to speak, following introductions by Japanese Minister to Mexico, Ryosuke Kuwana as well as Ms. Naoko Sugimoto, Director of Japan Foundation Mexico. On the following day, I held an affiliated lecture to the exhibition at the Museum Library. The chain of sympathy will hopefully extend further to Mexico via this exhibition which still runs until 3rd December 2018)…

Connecting ourselves with the history of East and West, and with the sympathy of and for the globe…

Miro Ito (artist & author, producer & director/Media Art League)

Lecture for “Road of Light and Hope’ exhibition, Museo Nacional de las Culturas de Mundo, Mexico City

Signs of the Intangible, Japanese Canadian Culture Centre, Toronto

Signs of the Intangible

Bodyscapes reflecting Japan’s 1400 Years of Performing Arts by Miro Ito 

Photo Exhibition, Artist Talk & Short Film Screenings

Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Canada and Japan, our new exhibition“Signs of the Intangible” can be experienced at the Japanese Canadian Centre in Toronto. Co-organized by Media Art League and Japan Camera Industry Institute, this presentation showcases the 1400 years of continuity in Japan’s performing arts in exquisite photographs as well as short film format.

It features 55 outstanding photographic images of select National Treasures of Japan, as well as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage such as Noh performers, or avant-garde Butoh dancers as well as contemporary dancers. Topical film shorts by Miro Ito will also be shown.

The uniqueness of this presentation accentuates a “never-seen-before” perspective on how these exceptional tangible or intangible arts and traditions interact: 8th century Buddhist sculptures influenced by Hellenistic culture, Gigaku and Bugaku masks (that came to Japan in the 7th century via the Silk Road), Noh performance and Kobudo martial arts with their 600 year tradition, as well as contemporary dance performances like Butoh.

[Artist Talk & Reception]
Thursday, 21st June 2018 @7:00 PM (Telephone reservations are recommended)

— Word of greeting from Consul General Takako Ito
— Artist Talk & Short Film Screenings by Miro Ito, Media Art League
— Solo Performance of Gigaku Ballet combined with Konron mask by Shunso  (Artistic Direction by Miro Ito / Music by Sukeyasu Shiba)

[Duration & Venue]

Preliminary viewing start: Thurs., 23rd May 2018

Artist Talk & Reception: Thurs., 21 June 2018 (7:00 PM)

Last day: Wed., 27th June, 2018
Opening Hours: 9:00AM – 8:00PM (daily)

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Garamond Court, Toronto, ON, M3C 1Z5    Tel.(416) 441-2345  http://www.jccc.on.ca/en/

※Click to download the exhibition poster in PDF:_signs_of_the_intangible_poster_2018June11

Searching for an Ideal of mind-body unity

Nurtured in a nature worshipping environment (Shintoism) where everything is seen as a manifestation of kami, and influenced by Buddhism, the key element that provides continuity is the dedicatory tradition evident in the Shinto-Buddhist syncretism prevalent in Japan since the 7th century.

From the 12th century onward, Zen Buddhist influences, advanced an ideal of mind-body unity called “shinshin ichinyo“, as the path to emancipation/liberation (gedatsu) — not only in religious contexts, but also —- in performing arts like Noh and in martial arts, such as Kobudo, under the patronage of the samurai clans that inherited the shogunate.

As Zen Buddhist teacher, Hakuin put it “our soul has a physical dimension and our body has a spiritual dimension”, so the body is the “ba” (topos) for the transformation towards an ultimate goal of “gedatsu” (lvimokṣa in Sanskrit) in Oriental ascetic tradition and meditation.

Icons of Unity for East and West

This project’s unique perspective pursues the foundations of the profundity of Japanese culture as well as the origins of various types of Japanese performing arts as an enduring legacy of ancient cultures from the Eurasian continent.

Evidently, the origins of many Asian sculpting traditions can be traced back to statues (Άγαλ&α) dedicated to ancient Greek deities. This presentation, “Signs of the Intangible” showcases select artwork as “evidence of the interconnectedness of East and West”.

Finding common ground transcending the Eurasian continent within the cultural heritage along the Silk Road may present a ray of hope for one day realizing true unity and solidarity among mankind…

This is the very essence of the messages enciphered in the history of 1400 years of Japanese Performing Arts.

Co-organizers: Media Art League and Japan Camera Industry Institute
Host: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
Exhibits: 55 Photographic Images by Miro ITO (Media Art League)
Project Management & English Editing: Andreas Boettcher (Media Art League)

Special Permission: Tōdai-ji Temple, Kasuga-taisha Shrine, Nara National Museum

Participating Performers: Hodaka KOMPARU, Yukifusa TAKEDA, Tomoyuki TAKEDA, Fumiyuki TAKEDA, Ko MUROBUSHI, Sal Vanilla, Shunso

Exhibits of Photographic Art in Scroll Format: Tenpyō era sculptures of Tōdai-ji Temple (National Treasures of Japan) , Gigaku masks of Tōdai-ji Temple (Important Cultural Property), Bugaku masks of Kasuga-taisha Shrine (Important Cultural Property)

Support by: The Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto, the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in JAPAN, the Tokyo Club, Nara Visitors Bureau, etc.

Text by Media Art League. Photographs: Miro Ito. All Rights Reserved.

The World of the Lotus Sanctuary + the standing bodhisattva statues Fukūkensaku Kannon (Tōdaiji Temple, 8th century, National Treasures of Japan) at the Japan Foundation, Toronto

16 years have now passed since the events of 9/11.

Faced with deepening divisions and strife among mankind, more frequent natural disasters as climate-change accelerates and ever-growing floods of refugees, what can we really do to make a difference? Through art I am attempting to show that it is more important than ever, for us to realize that we all are one and that everything and everyone is interconnected

Our latest exhibition, ”Road of Light and Hope: National Treasures of Todaiji Temple, Nara – Photographs by Miro Ito” concluded on 28th June 2017 at the Japan Foundation, Toronto, after a successful 3 month run from 15th March. The next venue will be the Japan Information Center at the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago from 1st to 28th Nov. 2017

With the special assistance of the Todai-ji Temple, and co-organized by the Japan Foundation Toronto, Media Art League and Japan Camera Industry Institute (as well as Japan’s Consulate-General in Chicago [from 1st Nov. 2017]), this exhibition attempts to share the universality of the ancient teaching that we ourselves are the universe.

Reflections on the flow of life…

Although, the scale of the universe is beyond our imagination, once we realize that our bodies are unto themselves a microcosm containing a universe in each of their tiny constituent cells, the universe’s interconnectedness becomes more tangible. 

Through this awareness we might end up with an alternative option: to consider the living universe (including Mother Earth that supports all life activities) as synonymous with our own “life”, and respect it and live in harmony.  Or to continue to essentially see this green planet as a “resource” to exploit, pollute and ultimately devastate. Needless to say, destruction will in turn only bring disharmony to our earth and interrupt the circle of life.

Rightfully, one is all and all is one, a holistic notion is postulated in the Neoplatonic philosophy of ancient Greece. In the common way, the teachings of Kegon-kyo (Japan’s iteration of Hua-yen Buddhism), that form the spiritual foundation of the Great Buddha Statue being erected in Nara in the 8th century, tells us that an infinite universe of galactic proportions is contained in an infinitesimal one.

Once we realize of that everything is interconnected and cyclical within life’s flow of the universe, the awareness of such issues as environmental preservation and climate change grows, in addition to overcome segmentation on the global level.

The Great Buddha Lives! (7min./ Written, photographed and directed by Miro Ito, Editorial supervision: Tōdaiji Temple)

Chicago-bound — after successful conclusion in Toronto

On the occasion of the Artist’s Talk, 26th May, the auditorium of the Japan Foundation Toronto was filled and three movie shorts of mine were shown, such as “The Great Buddha Lives!”, “Life of Masks, as well as “Gigaku: Road of Masks”. With the people present on this occasion, I could share the message that we can learn from the spiritual heritage from the Silk Road transcending 1300 years of time and space; all is one, and all is interconnected.

Hopefully, visitors will attain a new awareness for the common origins of sculpting as seen in Japanese National Treasures of 1300 years ago and in Hellenistic art in the eastern Mediterranean and Mid-Eastern world around 2000 years ago.

While expressing my heartfelt gratitude for all supporting entities as well as visitors to this touring exhibition series, starting from the UN Headquarters in NY, via Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, the Council of the Europe (and the Lieu d’Europe), and for its new success in Toronto and then goes to Chicago, I truly hope we can work together towards the idea of a unified world, to which my art activities have been dedicated for the last 16 years since the 9/11 that I experienced in NY.

Hopefully, a time of unity will finally come after so much turmoil in the universe and amongst humankind: between humankind and nature, between human and human ….

The official press release for the next exhibition in Chicago will follow shortly.

Miro Ito

Initiator of Media Art League