Woodcuts Carving the Shadows of Modern Japan

The artist, who depicts social absurdities through giant woodblock prints, overlays the history of Nara Prison with narratives of modernization and rehabilitation. Rare woodblocks will also be on special display.

When I stepped into the robust brick architecture, I initially felt the heavy, claustrophobic air. However, as I followed the path of the rehabilitation process, the space gradually opened up, allowing me to feel the light and air from the outside. This experience resonated deeply with my own memories of spending a year in a boarding school during the fifth grade to relearn the rules of communal living. Although I understood that discipline and order exist as rightful guides for living, a spirit of rebellion grew within me, ultimately leading me to my calling as an artist. With this artwork, I aimed to reflect once again on the concept of correction—an education where adults carefully considered the future of children and youth—and to give that reflection a tangible form.