🔶Cinepoetry with Photo Art on Japanese/Asian/Eurasian Cultural Heritage
Conceived & Produced by Media Art League
− Nara, Japan’s first imperial capital and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road – a cultural corridor to 1400 years of spiritual tradition (33 mins)
A Miro Ito Film/Produced & conceived by Media Art League
Presented by Ikasu-Nara Regional Council
Online presentation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSWEDzltIU
Support by Hōryū-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, Tōdai-ji Temple, Tōshōdai-ij Temple, Saidai-ji Temple, Kōfuku-ji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
Editorial Consultant: Kosei Morimoto, PhD, Abbot Emeritus of Tōdai-ji Temple
English Editor: Andreas Boettcher
Cinepoetry: Nara, Japan’s First Imperial Capital and Eastern Terminus of the Silk Road (Miro Ito film, presented by Ikasu-Nara Regional Council)
− The Four Heavenly Kings – Magnificent Figures Epitomising Valour at the Todai-ji, Toshodai-ji, Daian-ji and Kofuku-ji Temples in Nara: Japanese National Treasures from the Tenpyo to the Kamakura Era (20 mins)
A Miro Ito Film/Produced & conceived by Media Art League
Commissioned Work by Nara Prefecture
Presented by Nara Prefecture (2021)
Language: Japanese
Support by Tōdai-ji, Tōshōdai-ij, Daian-ji and Kōfuku-ji Temples
Editorial Consultant: Kosei Morimoto, PhD, Abbot Emeritus of Tōdai-ji Temple
− Gigaku: Roads of Masks (7.5 mins)
Commissioned Work by the Tōdai-ji Temple
A Miro Ito Film/Produced & conceived by Media Art League
Presented by Tōdai-ji Museum (2011)
Languages: Japanese/English
Performers: Mannojo Nomura V, ACT.JT, Ethnos
Gigaku masks: Collection of Tōdai-ji Temple (Important Cultural Properties of Japan/Nara Period)
ShinGigaku masks (produced by Mannojo Nomura V)
Music: Sukeyasu Shiba (Gigaku Gyōdō-ranjō, Gigaku Karura)
Editorial consultant: Kan’ichi Kasagi, Art & Music Director of Nantogakuso Gagaku Troupe
English editor: Andreas Boettcher
Editor/CG Creator: Yusuke Shigeta
− Life of Masks − Bugaku: Kasuga-Taisha Shrine and Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins)
A Miro Ito Film/Produced & conceived by Media Art League
Presented by Canon EXPO Tokyo 2010, Nara Prefecture (Association for Commemorative Events of the
1300th Anniversary of Nara Heijō- kyō)
Languages: Japanese
Editorial Consultant: Kan’ichi Kasagi (Art & Music Director of Nanto-gakuso Gagaku Troupe)
Music & Performing Arts: Nantogakuso Gagaku Troupe
Editor/CG Creator: Yusuke Shigeta
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins)
A Miro Ito Film/Produced & conceived by Media Art League
Presented by Canon EXPO Tokyo 2010, Nara Prefecture（Association for Commemorative Events of the 1300th
Anniversary of Nara Heijō- kyō)
Languages: Japanese
Editor-at-Large: Tōdai-ji Temple
Music Composer: Yasuhiro Morinaga
Editor/CG Creator: Yusuke Shigeta
Screening Venues: click here
− Nara, Japan’s first imperial capital and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road – a cultural corridor to 1400 years of spiritual tradition (33 mins) and The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) were shown at Miro Ito’s lecture, Two Sages of Japan: Prince Shōtoku and Emperor Shōmu, held by the Cultural Agency of Japan and Nara Prefecture, Nara, October 2021.
− Nara, Japan’s first imperial capital and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road – a cultural corridor to 1400 years of spiritual tradition (33 mins) was shown at the event entitled Nara – a cultural corridor to 1400 years of spiritual tradition, held by the Cultural Agency of Japan and Nara Prefecture, Nara, February 2021.
− Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) was shown at Miro Ito’s lecture, presented by Nara Prefecture, Jan.-Feb. 2021.
− The Four Heavenly Kings – Magnificent Figures Epitomising Valour at the Todai-ji, Toshodai-ji, Daian-ji and Kofuku-ji Temples in Nara (20 mins) was shown at the Four Heavenly Kings Symposium, during the Nara Otateyama Festival, January 2021.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) was shown at the Nara Silk Road Symposium 2019 in Nara, during Miro Ito’ engagement as a panelist, held by the Cultural Agency of Japan; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Nara Prefecture, Nara, October 2019.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) was shown at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, during Miro Ito’s speaking engagement at the opening event, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light, held by the Embassy of Japan in September 2019.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 min.) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown as video installations at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, during the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, Jan.-Feb. 2019.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, during the affiliated lecture, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light, held by the Embassy of Japan in Greece, January 2019.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown as video installations at the National Museum of World Cultures in Mexico City, during the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, Nov.-Dec. 2018.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown at the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago, during the Artist’s Talk, accompanying the exhibition, Signs of the Intangible, November 2018.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown at the National Museum of World Cultures in Mexico City, during the affiliated lecture, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light, held by the Japan Foundation, Mexico, November 2018.
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) and Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) were shown at the Centro Cultural Correios Rio de Janeiro as part of Month of Japan (Mês do Japão), during Miro Ito’s speaking engagement for the opening event, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, held by the Consulate General of Rio de Janeiro, July 2018.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (Toronto), during the Artist’s Talk, accompanying the exhibition, Signs of the Intangible, June 2018.
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) and Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) were shown at the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, November 2017.
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) were shown as a video installation at the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, Japan Foundation, Toronto, March -June 2017.
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) and Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 min.) were shown at the Japan Foundation, Toronto, during the Artist’s Talk, accompanying the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, May 2017.
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) and Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival (11 mins) were shown as video installations at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg during the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, November 2016.
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) was shown at the Tōdaiji Museum (2011-2012).
− Gigaku: Road of Masks (7.5 mins) (Written, photographed and directed by Miro Ito, Editorial supervision: Tōdaiji Temple, Music: Sukeyasu Shiba) was shown at the Tōdaiji Museum (2012-2013).
− The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) was shown at the Tōdaiji Temple Cultural Center, 2010 (as part of The 7th Great Buddha Symposium).
− Commemorative Event of 1300th Anniversary of Heijō-kyo (Nara), Japan’s 1st Imperial Capital + Canon EXPO, Tokyo, 2010.
The Great Buddha Lives! (7 mins) (Written, photographed and directed by Miro Ito, Editorial supervision: Tōdaiji Temple, Music by Yasuhiro Morinaga)
Life of Masks–Bugaku at Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Wakamiya On-matsuri Festival (11 mins) (Written, photographed/filmed and directed by Miro Ito, Editorial supervision: Kan’ichi Kasagi/Nantogakuso, Music by Nantogakuso)
(Last update: January 2022)
🔶Representative Photo Exhibitions
Conceived & Produced by Media Art League
Photo Art by Miro Ito
🔸Global Touring exhibition series: Road of Light and Hope
Supported by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas Embassies/Consulates, Road of Light and Hope launched at United Nations Headquarters (New York) in 2016, followed by exhibitions, speaking engagements and screenings as integral parts of Japan’s commemorating ceremonies and events abroad in renowned venues such as: The Council of Europe as well as Lieu d’Europe (Strasbourg) in 2016; Japan Foundation (Toronto) and Consulate General of Japan in Chicago in 2017; Rio de Janeiro Cultural Center Correios for Japan Month and National Museum of the World Culture in Mexico City in 2018.
In 2019 Road of Light and Hope was shown at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, as the kick-off event of the 120th anniversary of Greece-Japan diplomatic ties (January – February). In September it reached the African continent, with the Bardo National Museum in Tunis to commemorate the 50-years of the Japanese Embassy in Tunisia. The most recent venue was the Centro Cultural Peruano Japones in Lima, commemorating the 120th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Peru in November 2019.
The exhibition series Road of Light and Hope were presented in 12 venues in 11 different countries since 2016, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Diplomatic missions abroad), Japan Foundation, Japan Camera Industry Institute and Media Art League.
🔸Global Touring exhibition series: Signs of the Intangible
In order to introduce the history of Japanese performing arts from a fresh perspective, we launched the other globally touring exhibition series, Signs of the Intangible — featuring Japanese traditions of mind-body-culture involving prayers and dedication as well as entertainment with kami and even repentance and salvation in Buddhism. The exhibits include photographs of Gigaku and Bugaku masks that arrived in Japan over 1400 years ago, as well as of Noh theatre and contemporary avant-garde Butoh, performing art forms that lie 600 years apart.
The starting point of this exhibition series was: Men at Dance – from Noh to Butoh held at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) as a tie-in to the 2007 New York Butoh Festival. After the fifty-five exhibits were donated to the library’s permanent collection, this exhibition was expanded—with Gigaku masks of the Tōdai-ji Temple and Bugaku masks of the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine—to the current iteration Signs of the Intangible and started touring in the North America.
Men at Dance — from Noh to Butoh at Lincoln Center, NY
In 2018, the traveling exhibition that symbolically represents Japan’s 1400 years of body-mind-scapes arrived in Toronto, at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC), to commemorate 90 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada. Subsequently in the same year, it was held at the Consulate’s Japan Information Center, in conjunction with a lecture at the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, Northwestern University. From 2022 on, it will continue with proposed venues ranging from Montreal in Canada, to Athens in Greece, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Mexico City in Mexico among others.
Exhibition Venues/Collections: click here
🔶Representative Photo Exhibitions
🔸Peru
– Road of Light and Hope: Photo Exhibition of National Treasures and Important Cultural Property of Japan
5th – 27th November 2019, Asociacion Peruano Japonesa
In commemoration of the 120th -year history of Japanese Immigration to Peru (co-organized by: Embassy of Japan in Peru, Asociacion Peruano Japonesa, Media Art League, Japan Camera Industry Institute)
🔸Tunisia
– Road of Light and Hope: A Voyage of Hellenism to Japan- Photographs and Text by Miro Ito, the Bardo National Museum, Tunis, 21September – 5 October, 2019, commemorating the 50- years of the Japanese Embassy in Tunisia (co-organized by: Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bardo National Museum, Embassy of Japan in Tunisia, Japan Camera Industry Institute and Media Art League).
🔸Greece
– Road of Light and Hope: A Voyage of Hellenism to Japan- Photographs and Text by Miro Ito, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, 16 January – 10 February 2019, as the kick-off of the commemorative event of the 120th anniversary of Greece-Japan diplomatic ties, Athens (co-organized by the Embassy of Japan in Greece/Byzantine and Christian Museum/Japan Camera Industry Institute /Media Art League).
🔸Mexico
– Road of Light and Hope: National Treasures of Todai-ji Temple – Photographs by Miro Ito, the National Museum of World Culture, November -December 2018, as the commemorative event of the 140th anniversary of Mexico-Japan diplomatic relations, Mexico City (co-organized by the Japan Foundation Mexico City/Mexican Ministry of Cultures/Media Art League/Japan Camera Industry Institute).
🔸Brazil
– Road of Light and Hope: National Treasures of Japan – Photographs by Miro Ito, the Centro Cultural Correios Rio de Janeiro as part of Month of Japan (Mês do Japão), 4th -29th July 2018, in commemoration of the 110th -year history of Japanese Immigration to Brazil (co-organized by the Consulate General of Japan, Rio de Janeiro/Japan Foundation/Instituto Cultural Brasil-Japão (ICBJ)/ Media Art League/Japan Camera Industry Institute).
Mês do Japão (Japan Month), Rio de Janeiro 2018
🔸Canada
– Signs of the Intangible: Bodyscapes of Japan’s 1400 Years of Performing Arts, May-June 2018 in commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations (co-organized by: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto/Media Art League/Japan Camera Industry Institute, supported by Consulate General of Japan in Toronto/ National Federation of UNESCO in Japan).
Signs of the Intangible, Japanese Canadian Culture Centre, Toronto
– Road of Light and Hope: National Treasures of Todai-ji Temple, Nara – Photographs by Miro Ito, March – June 2017, co-organized by the Japan Foundation, Toronto/Media Art League/Japan Camera Industry Institute/Japan Foundation, Toronto).
🔸USA
– Road of Light and Hope -National Treasures of Todai-ji Temple, Nara, Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan, Chicago, November 2017 in commemoration of its 120-year history (co-organized by: Consulate General of Japan, Chicago/Media Art League/ Japan Camera Industry Institute) .
– Road of Light and Hope: Cosmopolitanism Embodied in the Vairocana Buddha of the Tôdai-ji Temple – Photo Exhibition of National Treasures of Japan, UN Headquarters, New York, on occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2016 (co-organized by: Permanent Mission of Japan to the U.N., Media Art League Japan Camera Industry Institute).
– Men at Dance – From Noh to Butoh: Japanese Performing Arts, Past and Present, New York Public Library for Performing Arts, Lincoln Center (2007 – 2008) as tie-in exhibition to the 2007 NY Butoh Festival (supported by Consulate General of Japan in New York).
🔸France
– Road of Light and Hope (Photo exhibition of National Treasures and Important Cultural Property of Japan), co-organized by the Council General of Japan in Strasbourg /Media Art League / Japan Camera Industry Institute, the Council of Europe + Le lieu d’Europe, Strasbourg, 2016).
Road of Light and Hope, the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
🔸Uzbekistan
– Road of Light and Hope: The Eternal Cosmopolitanism Weaving Along the Silk Road (Photo exhibition of National Treasures and Important Cultural Property of Japan), co-organized by the Academy of the Arts of Uzbekistan / Japan Camera Industry Institute, the International Caravanserai of Cultures of Ikuo Hirayama, Tashkent, 2016).
🔸Japan
– Road of Light and Hope: A Voyage of Hellenism to Japan via the Silk Road
19th – 4th November 2019, Izanaikan Hall of Heijo Palace (Nara Imperial Palace) as the kick-off event of the Nara Silk Road Symposium 2019
(co-organized by: Ministry of Land, Transportation and Infrastructure, Nara Prefecture, Media Art League, Japan Camera Industry Institute)
– Road of Light: Ancient Route of Prayer and Dedicatory Arts in Asia, Canon EXPO, Tokyo, 2010.
– Masks, Performance, Life’s Energy: Visitor from Past and Future – featuring Mannojo Nomura on the 1st anniversary of his death, Canon S Tower, Tokyo, and two other venues, 2005.
– Mannojo Nomura’s NipponGaku -Traditional Japanese Dance and Performance, Japan Camera Industry Institute (joint exhibition series with Mayumi Moriyama, Chairperson of JCII, & Japanese Minister of Justice [2001 – 03], Minister of Education [1992-93]), Tokyo, 2004.
– Monochrome Digital Bodyscapes, Canon Salon (Tokyo / Osaka / Nagoya), 2003.
test-patches by 66b/cell
(“Monochrome Digital Bodyscapes” by Miro Ito)
– Mannojo Nomura’s Mask Road, Japan Camera Industry Institute (same as above), Tokyo, 2003.
🔸Germany
– Butoh : Encounter with the Flower Named Body, Japanese Culture Week in Frankfurt,Germany, 1997.
🔶Representative International Group Exhibitions
– Dedication of Flowers (Kenka) exhibition by 15 Japanese and U.S. women photographers in commemoration of the Heisei Restoration of the Kondō of Tōshōdaiji Temple”, Tokyo National Museum, 2005.
🔶Collections
New York Public Library for Performing Arts, Japan Camera Industry Institute (JCII), Tōdaiji Museum, Kasuga-taisha Kokuhoukan Treasure House
Academic Lectures
🔶 Representative Academic Lectures & Symposia
– Two Sages of Japan: Prince Shōtoku and Emperor Shōmu by Miro Ito: As integral lecture (held by Cultural Agency of Japan/Nara Prefecture) of the Nara Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition (Japan)
– Participation as panelist to the Nara Silk Road Symposium 2019
（co-organized by Nara Prefecture; Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism of Japan）
– DNA of Japanese Traditional Architecture by Miro Ito: As part of a photo exhibition, Edo/Tokyo – Seen through its edifices (JCII Collection)
Consulate-General of Japan (USA)
– Artist Talk with two short film screenings, an affiliated program to the exhibition, Byzantine and Christian Museum, January 2019 (Greece)
– El Arte como medio es un mensaje para la Universalidad. Camino de Luz y Esperanza: el sendero euroasiatico de la sabiduria, Museum Library, Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo, Mexico City, November 2018 (Mexico)
– Signs of the Intangible with two short film screenings, an affiliated lecture to the exhibition with the same title, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, Northwestern University, November 2018 (USA)
– Road of Light and Hope: A Eurasian Trail of Wisdom (Caminho de Luz e Esperanca: A trilha eurasians da sabedoria), Department of Japanese, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), July 2018 (Brazil)
– The Last of the Samurai: the Tokugawa Shogunate delegation and the Iwakura Mission to the USA, a short lecture for the 150th anniversary of Meiji Restoration, Department of Asian Languages and Studies, Northwestern University, April 2018 (USA)
– Art as Media a Message for Universality: presentation for Visual and Material Perspectives on East Asia, Department of Art History, University of Chicago, November 2017 (USA)
– Photography of Tōdaiji Sculptures: Art as Media is a Message for Universality, Arts & Letters Hall, Department of Art History, DePaul University, Chicago, Ocober 2017 (USA)
– Artist Talk, an affiliated event to the exhibition, Road of Light and Hope, Japan Foundation, Toronto, May 2017 (Canada)
🔶Other Lectures
– Lecture commemorating Ito’s book publication (Gokui de manabu Shashin gokoro by Film Art), Yaesu Book Center, February 2012 (Japan)
– Creative lecture for designers and product design staff of MAZDA, Mazda Research Center, 2003 (Japan)
🔶Solo Book Projects
– Encyclopedia of Japanese Family Crests: 1400 Years of Beauty & Tradition (Nihon no Kamon to Seishi: Dentohbi to Keifu), Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing, 2013 (Japan)
– Photographer’s Bible: (Cutting-Edge Photography: Themes, Composition, Lighting & Fine-tuning) (all text & photos), Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing, 2012 (Japan)
– Heart of Photography: Rules and Aesthetics in Photography (Gokui de manabu Shashin gokoro) (all text & photos), Film Art, 2011 (Japan)
– Encounter with the Fundamentals of Life in Nara (Kokorono Sumika Nara – Inochino Kongen Narumono to no Deai) (all text & photos), Random House Kodansha, 2010 (Japan)
– Miseru Shashinjjutsu (Enthralling Photography: Theme, Composition, Technique) (all text & photos), selected for inclusion in The Japan Library Association’s official reading list), MdN Corporation, 2007 (Japan)
– ManzaiRaku: Mannojo Nomura + Miro Ito (photographs/text by M. Ito), Nippon Camera, 2004 (Japan)
– The Art of Photography in the Digital Era: Views on Photography in the future (Digital jidai no Shashinjutsu) (co-authored), 2000 (Japan)
🔶Other Books & Catalogues
– Photographs and Haiku Poems dedicated to Ganjinwajo and Vairocana Buddha of Tōshōdaiji Temple/Catalogue Edition for “Dedication of Flowers” exhibition, 2005 (Japan)
Publications/ Prize / Video Screening / TV Appearance
🔶Representative Publications in Photography Specialty Magazines in Japan/Europe (Japanese-culture related)
(except media related assignments)
– Asahi Camera/Jan. 2012 (10 pp., Japan)
– Asahi Camera/Jan. 2010 (7 pp., Japan)
– Asahi Camera/Oct. 2008 (8 pp., Japan)
– Nippon Camera/Dec. 2006 (4 pp., Japan)
– Nippon Camera/Dec. 2004 (6 pp., Japan)
🔶Historical Photo Exhibitions on Japanese Culture and Custom
Collection from JCII (Co-organized by Media Art League)
- − Edo/Tokyo – Seen through its edifices
Consulate-General of Japan (Chicago); Japan Fest, Chicago Cultural Center, April 2019 (Hosted by Consulate General of Japan, Chicago/Presented by Japan Camera Industry Institute/Co-organized by Media Art League).
- − The LAST of the SAMURAI, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto, June-August 2018 in commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations (Hosted by Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto/Presented by Japan Camera Industry Institute/Co-organized by Media Art League).
“The LAST of the SAMURAI”, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto
- − The LAST of the SAMURAI, Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan, Chicago, April 2018 in commemoration of its 120-year history (Hosted by Consulate General of Japan, Chicago/Presented by Japan Camera Industry Institute/Co-organized by Media Art League).
Last Update: January 2022
Book Publications on Japanese Cultural Heritage
🔶Book Projects
Conceived, Produced & Edited: Media Art League
Author: Miro Ito
- Encyclopedia of Japanese Family Crests: 1400 Years of Beauty & Tradition (Nihon no Kamon to Seishi: Dentohbi to Keifu), Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing, 2013 (Japan)
- Encounter with the Fundamentals of Life in Nara (Kokorono Sumika Nara — Inochino Kongen Narumono to no Deai) (all text & photos), Random House Kodansha, 2010 (Japan)
- ManzaiRaku: Mannojo Nomura + Miro Ito (photographs/text by M. Ito), Nippon Camera, 2004 (Japan)
Manzairaku
Conceived by Media Art League
Photo & Text by Miro Ito
🔶Catalogue Edition
- Photographs and Haiku Poems dedicated to Ganjinwajo and Vairocana Buddha of Tōshōdaiji Temple/Catalogue Edition for “Dedication of Flowers” exhibition, 2005 (Japan)
※Reference:《Publishing & Educational Activities》
Other Publications: Exhibitions, Portfolios, Interviews & Book Reviews on Japanese Cultural Heritage
🔶 Exhibition Related Publications (publication name/issue/title)
metro (July 5 2018, Brazil)
Segundo Caderno/Evento (July 4 2018, Brazil)
🔶Portfolio Publications (publication name/issue/title)
Asahi Camera/Jan. 2012 (Noh Performers, 10 pp., Japan)
A Dance (Ko Murobushi, by Alexander Barabanov, Jonathan Cape, London, 2011)
Asahi Camera/Jan. 2010 (Gangōji Temple, 7 pp., Japan)
Asahi Camera/Oct. 2008 (Tōdaiji Temple, 8 pp., Japan)
Commercial Photo/Dec.2007 (Okina by Hodaka Komparu, 2pp., Japan)
Nippon Camera/Dec. 2006 (Quick Silver, 4 pp., Japan)
Nippon Camera/Dec. 2004 (ManzaiRaku, 6 pp., Japan)
Commercial Photo – Digital Printing Technology/ 2004 (Monochrome Digital Bodyscpaes, 3 pp., Japan)
Shunie (February Ritual) of Tōdaiji Temple appeared in Miro Ito’s portfolio in Asahi Camera (Japan)
🔶Official Images
Official Poste /Banner/Flyer of Month of Japan (Mês do Japão) 2018, Rio de Janeiro
Official Poster of 2007 New York Butoh Festival
Official Poster of 2006 Venice Biennale (Dance Section)
Images of Ko Murobushi were used as official posters for several international dance festivals including Vienna, London, etc.
NY Butoh Festival − Official Image
Photo: Miro Ito/Butoh Dancer: Ko Murobushi
🔶Interviews (on Miro Ito’s photo essay)
Mainichi Newspaper (24 June 2010)
Nara Shimbun Newspaper (13 May 2010)
Yomiuri Shimbun Newspaper (23 March 2010)
]Title: Home of Life and Prayer Nara (Book)
Translated by Andreas Boettcher
Miro Ito, photographer and author who has mainly been active in Europe and the United States, published her photo essay Kokoro no sumika nara: inochino kongen narumono to no deai (literally, Haven of the Heart, Nara: Encounter with the fundamentals of life) by Random House Kodansha (*1) price: JPY 1,905 (excl. tax).
One of her images from a sequence of butoh performances was selected as official poster for the 2006 Venice Biennale – Dance Section. While she has successfully been active overseas, she encountered the events of 9.11 in NYC. Immediately after that, she found the message expressed by Abbot Emeritus Shoen Hashimoto at his inaugural address dedicated to the Great Buddha: “equality and solidarity” and “tolerance and perseverance” on the internet and “was moved by the universal appeal of these words that transcend the diversity of religions”.
In an endeavour to research Japan’s rich spiritual culture, she temporary relocated there in 2004. While visiting Nara’s shrines and temples and participating in its Buddhist rituals, she became convinced that this city is a haven of life and prayer preserving teachings of “what it means to live and let live”, where “the conviction that Nara is a haven of life and prayer preserving the teachings on what it means to live and let live”, while visiting the city’s shrines and temples and participating in its Buddhist rituals.
The book includes some 40 photographs of the Omizutori (*2) ritual of Todaiji’s Nigatsudo Hall, ceremonies of Toshodaiji as well as Gangoji Temple. Interviews with such prominent personages as Kosei Morimoto (Abbot Emeritus of Todaiji Temple) and Akio Okamoto (head priest of Kasuga-taisha Shrine) are also introduced.
She is planning to publish her second book related to Nara and stated that she “wants to tackle this as her life’s work since the spiritual culture in Nara is the common heritage of all peoples.” (by Yasuo Hayakawa, The Yomiuri Shimbun)
Translator’s note:
*1) Random House Kodansha is now known as Takeda Random House since April 2010.
*2) The formal name of Omizutori is Shunie (February Ritual).
Mainichi Newspaper (Aug.4.2010 issue)
🔶Book Reviews (name of magazine/issue) — click name for text
Weekly Toyo Keizai (20 June 2010)
🔶Haven of the Heart: Nara Author: Miro Ito
Translated by Andreas Boettcher
Author Miro Ito’s photographs strike a chord close to the core of Japan’s religions that permeates the historic strata of Nara’s temples and shrines; each of her images has an atmosphere that seems to make the existence of deities tangible.
These are highly artistic images worthy of large coffee-table books. However, in keeping with the author’s desire of making this volume accessible to a wider audience, it is put together in regular-sized photo-essay format. Nonetheless, the impact of the photographs is not lost, vividly conveying the author’s impressions of “the haven of the heart, Nara”. A lot of care went into the artwork of the book jacket design; and if one removes it, one finds an unexpected golden embossed image on the book surface.
It is also fascinating that this book includes messages of some of Nara’s representative scholars such as Abbot Emeritus Kosei Morimoto of the Todaiji Temple, Myogen Nishiyama of the Toshodaiji Temple, Taizen Tsujimura, the head monk of the Gangoji Temple as well as Akio Okamoto, Chief Shinto priest of the Kasuga-taisha Shrine. Although their ability to easily speak about how to lead one’s life is astonishing, each of their words reaches heart of the reader.
With this year being the 1300th anniversary of’ Nara’s establishment (under its original name of Heijokyo), the message of this book is even more appropriate.
Weekly Toyo Keizai 27 November 2004)
[This Week’s Recommendation]
ManzaiRaku: Extensively and leisurely observing, to the farthest horizon…
Works of Mannojo Nomura by Miro Ito
Published by Nihon Camera / JPY3,990
Profile of Miro Ito
Photographer/author. After graduating Keio University (major: aesthetics and fine art history), she studied philosophy at the Ruhr University in Bochum as well as photography and applied art in the faculty of communication design at Essen University in Germany.
Portrait of a young kyogen master whose career once flourished…
(reviewed by Akiko Moriyama, Professor of the Musashino University of Art, translated by Andreas Boettcher)
One might wonder why Japanese society needs kyogen master Mannjo Nomura on the cusp of the 21st century. With every flip of the page in the photo book ManzaiRaku, a deep emotion starts to stir. The prelude to Nomura’s great success was his stage direction of the closing ceremony of the Nagano Winter Paralympics in 1998. Since then he has had a strikingly successful career that took off with his own initiatives such as Shingigaku and Mask Road projects in 2001.
His Shingigaku was a recreation of gigaku (*1) performances with 23 masks that were replicas of originals preserved in the Shoso-in Treasury of the Todaiji Temple (*2). While his Shingigaku performance was expanded to South and North Korea as well as the United States, his family’s school of Yorozu Kyogen performed in several European and American cities. Moreover, he endeavoured to develop new genres such as Kaidan Kyogen (kyogen of ghost stories), Onna Kyogen (kyogen by women) as well as Reproduction: Okuni Kabuki until his death on 10th June 2004.
Miro Ito started to photograph Mannojo Nomura at his Shingigaku perfomance in Washington D.C. in 2002, while she was residing in the United States. Her digital images succeed in capturing the steep career of this visitor’s (*3) last years. Nomura’s candle burned out before he could become the 8th head of the traditional kyogen family of Manzo Nomura, whose family guidance is “Extensively and Leisurely Observing, to the Farthest Horizon…”.
At the end of this volume, 66 people have paid their respective tributes, including Yasuhiro Nakasone (Chairman of the Japan-Korea Cooperation Committee) (*4). Each of their messages contains expectation as well as sorrow. Mannojo’s own words clearly explained why: “the 21st Century is said to be the Asian Era. Shingigaku is capable of conveying what Asia is, and it heralds the advent of an era of sharing culture rather than exchanging it” (quote from Mannojo Nomura’s book Mask road: maboroshi no gigaku saigen no tabi [literally: Mask road: journey to the revived phantom of gigaku]).
It certainly seems to be the common desire of Mannojo Nomura, Miro Ito, and all the others involved in this book, that Japan foster cultural exchange by sending its sharable culture westward along the Silk Road.
Translator`s Notes:
(*1) Gigaku is probably the oldest Asian mask theater.
(*2) The Shoso-in Treasury (at the Todaiji Temple) in Nara has a collection of treasure from the 8th century.
(*3) Marebito is the original Japanese term (literally, visitor).
(*4) Former prime minister of Japan (1982-1987)
Nippoon Camera (December 2003)
🔶Exhibition Reviews (publication name only)
Asahi Camera, Commercial Photo, Monthly Cameraman, Monthly Shahin Kogyo, Spur, Esquire Special Edition: Luca, Mainichi Newspaper, Design no Genba, Prints, etc.
🔶Media Contributions (publication name / issue / title)
Mainichi Newspaper (4 October 2010)
[Title of the Feature: Aoniyoshi – Nara, former imperial Capital celebrating 1300th Anniversary]
Exquisite Nara: Reminiscences of Kami and Buddha by Miro Ito
(translated by Andreas Boettcher)
Visiting Nara is like a series of gem-like experiences where the tangible and the intangible interact with each other, whether it is peoples’ hearts or minds. Amidst the 1300 year tradition, —first, a gift of the kami and Buddha, and secondly, the fruits of human skills and perseverance—, our heart encounters kami and Buddha, resonating through the past, present and future.
I myself have pondered the question how to lead my life, which was instrumental in my going to Germany where I became a photo artist and art pundit. In the absence of absolutes in our transient lives, I came to sense “the eternal present” in the medium of photography, which can similarly be found in haiku-verses of the poet, Basho Matsuo.
Since then, through photography I sought to encounter the fundamentals of life, which are par se synonymous with sparks of the intangible, sacred world lying in the abyss of the “seen” world. Subsequently, I emigrated to the USA where I experienced the events of 9.11. Through my incessant quest for the fundamentals of life despite its fragility and transience, I encountered Nara.
What sustains my life is the prayer itself. In every 15th of August, the Manto-kuyo (Festival of Ten Thousand Lanterns) is held in the Todaiji Temple, when the small double-doors in front of the face of the Great Buddha are to be open. Against the background of the deep blue sky in the twilight, the Great Buddha’s golden face emerges in resplendent light. The Great Buddha statue is the enlightened Buddha himself. At the same time, this luminous giant statue symbolizes the infinite light illuminating the universe.
I sense this light as being omnipresent, enlightening our minds and heart; the Great Buddha is truly alive.
On the other hand, we encounter the word at the Mantoro (Festival of Ten Thousand Lanterns) at the Kasuga-taisha Shrine. The lantern is but a small space between dusk-like darkness and shimmering brightness, transporting the thoughts of people from the past to the future. In glittering corridors of light, the lanterns set the stage for a rendezvous with the kami.
When visiting Nara, we come to realize our lives themselves are no more than fleeting moments amidst the eternally changing and flowing cycle of life. If there is anything unchangeable, it would be the reverence of something sacred; whether kami or Buddha.
This reverence is not based on an exclusive faith, prone to reinforce discord among religions. It should be seen as the peace at the end of the beacon of our spirituality. It is the awareness that we can help, support and complement each other joining our lives with others.
(The Mainichi Newspaper, Western Japan Edition, published in the special feature: Aoniyoshi — Nara, fomer imperial Capital celebrating 1300th Anniversary).
Mainichi Newspaper (Aug.4.2010 issue)
Mantoro: Festival of ten Thousand Lanterns
Kasuga-taisha Shrine
Photo by Miro Ito
ASAHI CAMERA (January 2009) — 4 page spread: New York de Shashin no Kako/Genzai/Mirai wo Kangaeru (literally, “Thinking over Past, Present and Future of Photography from New York City”), special feature to Miro Ito’s monthly contribution, “Gokui de Manage Shashin Gokoro”)
ADVERTISING (Vol.7/10 May 2002) — 3 page spread: Post 9/11 Jinsei no nakani Shinjitsu wo! (literally, “Post 9/11 Searching for the Truth within ones lives!”), text by Miro Ito
NEXT STAGE (BS Japan) ― 11 min. broadcast: New York wa ima (literally, “What now, New York City?”), photography & poems by Miro Ito (MC: Ken’ichi Shimomura), 5th October 2001 (Japan)
WEEKLY TOYO KEIZAI (6 October 2001) — 8 page spread: I LOVE NY – In Memory of the Victims of the World Trade Center Disaster, photography & text by Miro Ito
Tribute in Light – Ground Zero
New York 2002
Photo by Miro Ito
Media Assignments
🔶Commitment to a Sustainable World
Our humble commitment as MEDIA ART LEAGUE is to promote affirmative action, utilizing our modest abilities in order to spread sustainability awareness by reporting exemplary achievements around the globe, particularly in the architectural & urban planning and construction sectors.
Specifically, we interview prominent opinion leaders, leading world architects, top executives, experts/professionals to identify & present their thoughts and visions ― together with outstanding examples actually being implemented and improved on a dynamic scale for a better, sustainable urban environment.
So our modest commitment will hopefully provide a beacon of awareness, insight and involvement as to what each of us can do towards a sustainable world — through technology, art and philosophy.
A ’Tower of Light’ that Symbolises Rebirth ー One World Trade Center
(Architect: SOM) Photo by Miro Ito
🔶 Leveraging Our Experiences in Specialty Quality Publications
Miro Ito and Andreas Boettcher frequently contributed articles/features to several specialty quality publications — in the NIKKEI Group (NIKKEI Business Publications) — from the early 1990s to 2000s in Europe, Japan and the Americas. Representative articles to date include: Redevelopment of Central Berlin, Urban Planning in Frankfurt (NIKKEI ARCHITECTURE), as well as redevelopment projects in Barcelona, Paris (NIKKEI CONSTRUCTION), and Toronto (OFFICE AGE, Tokyo).
🔶Recent Special Features from Americas (publication name/issue/title)
- NIKKEI CONSTRUCTION (14 November 2016 ) — 9 page spread: (Canada Toronto) Ontario Kohan ni Arata na Main Street/Queens Quay West (literally: [Civil Engineering Wonders of the World] Queens Quay West – A Rejuvenated Thoroughfare On the Shores of Lake Ontario), photography and text by Miro Ito (co-authored by Andreas Boettcher).
- NIKKEI CONSTRUCTION (12 September 2016 ) — 14 page spread:(New York State, USA) Zenchoh 5km no Toka-kyoh wo Kakekae – Bei Manhattan kara Kita 40km ( literally: [Bridge] “Construction of New Tappan Zee Bridge -“Renewal of 5 Km.- long River-spanning Bridge 40km. North of Manhattan”), text by Miro Ito + Andreas Boettcher, featuring interviews with Jamie Barbas, Khurram Saeed (NYSTA).
- NIKKEI CONSTRUCTION (22 February 2016 ) — 14 page spread: (New York City, USA) Kyodai Toshi no Chika wo Happa de Horu ( literally: “[Subway] Excavation with Subterranean Blasting in an Urban Megalopolis”), photography & text by Miro Ito (associate editor: Andreas Boettcher) featuring interview with Michael Horodniceanu (President of MTACC).
- NIKKEI ARCHITECTURE (14 January 2016) — cover photo & 6 page spread: (Connecticut State, New Canaan, USA) Bokkateki na Fuhkei ni ukabu Kawa no yhona Meisoh Kuhkan (literally, “Grace Farms river-like meditative space floating arcadian landscape”), photography & text by Miro Ito (associate editor: Andreas Boettcher).
- NIKKEI ARCHITECTURE (10 July 2015 ) — 8 page spread: (New York City, USA) Fukkatsu wo Shohchohsuru ‘Hikari no Toh’ – Tohkashinai Biru wo Mezasu (literally, “One World Trade Center: A ’Tower of Light’ that Symbolizes Rebirth & Strives to be Indestructible”), photography & text by Miro Ito (associate editor, Andreas Boettcher) + Interview with Daniel Libeskind.
- NIKKEI ARCHITECTURE (25 July 2012) — 8 page spread: (New York City, USA) Chiku 81nen no Matenroh wo Shoh-eneka – The Empire State Building (literally, “The Greening retrofit of the Empire State Building”), photography & text by Miro Ito (associate editor: Andreas Boettcher) + Interview with Anthony Malkin.
Nikkei Architecture
(January 14 2016 issue)
Cover Photo by Miro Ito
(Last update: November 2016)