“To come, you tell me, but I cannot go there easily. Sado is away from here, 49 ri over the sea waves.” This is a line from the folk song “Sado Okesa.” 49 ri converts to about 200 km, but the actual distance from the main island of Japan is about 50 km. Why did such a gap arise? The folk song was introduced in the Edo period. Did Sado feel so far away from people at that time?
The famous Zen poet Matsuo Basho also wrote about the island. “Sado Island can be seen across the dark and raging Sea of Japan. Looking up at the sky, the beautiful Milky Way stretches out toward Sado.” This brings up an image of a calm starry sky after enduring a life-threatening voyage in dangerous sea waters, but actually, Basho wrote this poem from mainland Japan. Did Sado feel so far away from Basho, too?
These days you can get to Sado by jet boat in an hour. We hope you can experience the starry sky of Sado Island that Basho only dreamed of.
As you embark on this journey, let’s first provide an overview of Sado Island. Sado Island is the largest island in the Sea of Japan, and its unique shape is often described as a “butterfly floating on the ocean.”
People have lived on Sado for over 10,000 years. In the Nara Period, it was recognized as a country and later became a place of exile for several historical figures. The island also experienced a gold rush during the Edo period. Sado flourished as a port of call for trading ships and remains the last island in Japan where the Japanese crested ibis lived. Sado has a rich history and is home to unique cultural traditions like Noh and Ondeko.
As you delve into the contemporary art pieces at the festival, we encourage you to explore the untold stories of Sado, allowing the island’s history and culture to enrich your experience with each artwork. It’s through this lens that we invite you to freely engage with the art and uncover the unique charm of Sado. Enjoy the festival and let the spirit of Sado Island’s art inspire you as you immerse yourself in this unique cultural experience.
As you explore the traditional performing arts and contemporary artworks at the festival, it’s important to understand the stories behind them. So as you immerse yourself in the art here, remember that each piece is connected to the story of the island and its people.
The Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival began with an island resident who felt compelled to do something about the gradual depopulation. Working in Tokyo, he noticed the increasing desolation of his home whenever he returned. In 2016, he partnered with a local classmate to organize an experimental art festival. As an artist himself, he also created works for the festival.
What kind of artwork did he create? The basis was a story rooted in his hometown of Ryotsu. Yes, it’s a story related to the lake at Ryotsu Port, where this ship will arrive.
Once upon a time, this lake was said to be inhabited by a fearsome creature known as “Hitotsume Nyudo.” Legend has it that one day, this monstrous being came across a horse tied near the shore and began playing with it. However, the horse’s owner returned, and in a fit of rage, captured the monster and bound it to a nearby willow tree. Though the monster was invincible in the water, it was helpless on land.
Desperate to regain freedom, the monster made a solemn promise to the owner – to provide a nightly bounty of fish in exchange for release, using a lapis lazuli hook. However, the monster impressed that the owner must return the hook each time.
Not thinking it a bad deal, the owner agreed and released the monster, and the following night, he found a bounty of fish, true to the monster’s word. He was overjoyed and as promised, took the fish, but returned the hook to the water. Then, the following night and the night after that, he continued to find a bounty of fish as promised.
However, hearing rumors about this, a greedy merchant intervened, persuading the owner to sell the valuable hook for a high price.
This act of betrayal unleashes the monster’s vengeful fury, leading to a series of attacks on the owner’s house by the monster’s minions. Overcome by fear, the owner eventually met a tragic end, leading the villagers to build a shrine by the lake as a gesture of apology. Though the monster has never shown itself again, to this day, the shrine stands as a reminder of the events that unfolded, and an annual ritual known only to the villagers is held there to commemorate this eerie tale.
He used this story as a subject for his artwork. Legend has it that the artist used oyster shells from the lake to create a path, drawing inspiration from the story of Hitotsume Nyudo.
Unfortunately, the original work can no longer be seen, but we hope you’ll appreciate the connection between the art and the rich history of Sado Island as you explore the festival.
Let’s continue with the story of how the art festival came about. It all began with one person from Sado Island. Over time, the festival grew to showcase works from local artists and beyond. These artists visit Sado, immerse themselves in its culture, and create their art while interacting with the island’s people. The completed artworks are deeply intertwined with Sado Island, reflecting the essence of the land.
By doing so, they revive the past, connecting it to the future, and leaving behind something precious for the future. The completed artworks are deeply intertwined with Sado Island, reflecting the essence of the land.
Through this process, forgotten aspects of the past are brought to light and passed on to future generations, creating treasures that embody the island’s identity. Like traditional art forms such as Noh and Ondeko, contemporary art serves as a bridge to the future, scattered across Sado Island like stars in a galaxy.
As you explore the art pieces here, consider sharing your perspective with the locals. Take some time for self-reflection while driving, enjoying a meal, or standing by the lake. Imagine what the starry sky of this island, once dreamed of by Basho, holds for you. Enjoy your trip and the experiences that await you on Sado Island.