Welcome to the Sado Gold Mine, specifically the iconic landscape of Wareto. This site was the center of full-scale mining during the early Edo Period. Miners manually excavated in search of a significant gold vein, resulting in the mountain splitting open in a V shape. The fissure here measures about 30 meters wide and 74 meters deep, illustrating the intensity of desire that drove this effort.

The artist highlights this theme of greed through the representation of the raccoon dog, or "tanuki." These animals were brought from the mainland to Sado for their skin, which was used to make "fuigo," tools for refining gold. Interestingly, tanuki were also worshiped as deities, reflecting the dual nature of human desire—both objects of consumption and revered beings.

In this exhibit, you’ll see a large tanuki figure accompanied by animation. While it may appear charming, there’s an underlying hint of unease. Consider what lies beneath its surface.