▶ 2025-06-27-29 [Event] Tochigi Prefecture Booth at the Osaka Kansai Expo
大阪関西万博栃木県ブース
A hand-drawn ink painting performance was held at the opening ceremony of the WASSE exhibition booth.
The opening ceremony featured a live ink painting performance in front of the prefectural governor, assembly chairman, vice-chairman, representative Tochigi companies, and numerous television and newspaper media representatives.
Tochigi Prefecture’s theme is “Mountains, Water, and Village.”
Life, traditional culture, food, and history have developed from the blessings of mountains, water, and villages.
We must not forget that by caring for the environment, good things can be born from its blessings.
This work was created using Nasukarasuyama washi paper and rubbed with the famous waters of Nikko, Tochigi. The elegant ink effect is truly a product of Tochigi Prefecture’s cherished appreciation of water.
The basis for this painting, “Mountains, Waters, and Villages,” is the work of classical Chinese calligraphers Wen Zhengmin, Wang Chong, and Zuo Guang Dou, which Arakawa has adapted to create his own unique art language.
Drawing on the natural grandeur of the mountains, waters, and villages, I left plenty of space to create a sense of dynamism, boldness, and delicacy, using my entire hand to create an atmosphere.
The opening ceremony received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and the event got off to a great start, with approximately 12,000 visitors on the first day. The ink painting experience event that followed the live performance also sold out in just 1.5 hours, with 100 limited-edition Karasuyama washi paper sheets and 100 limited-edition commemorative keychains. Many people participated and experienced the beauty of Tochigi Prefecture.
On the second day, we painted “Bamboo Grove and Rising Dragon,” a piece connected to Tochigi Prefecture’s theme, “Mountains, Water, and Village.”
The background music was by Nanase Aikawa, who provided music for the Expo.
“Mountains, Water, and Village.”
We are blessed with the mountains, water, and villages that sustain us.
The Karasuyama washi paper used in this project is made with pure water from the natural environment.
Karasuyama washi paper is strong, and its high quality can only be appreciated by touching it with your hands. The way the ink flows, the quality of the lines, and the way it stains—bold yet delicate works—are born here.
Wata-ya Zenbei (Doll Shop), the supplier of Karasuyama washi paper, has preserved a 220-year tradition, carrying on this time-honored tradition and producing lanterns.
Last year, Mr. Watanabe, a Policy Fellow at the Cabinet Office, spoke to us, and we have been working on grand ideas and plans for this Expo, leading up to this current project, and we are truly pleased that the Osaka-Kansai Expo Tochigi “Sansui Kyori” has been realized.
Final Day of the Osaka Kansai Expo WASSE Tochigi
The brushless ink painting live performance was an overwhelming success on the final day.
The Expo was filled with the warmth of everyone who participated, including those who set up booths and performed with us until the very end, supporters from Tochigi and other prefectures, media representatives, staff, relatives and friends, visitors to the venue, and so many others.
The Osaka Kansai Expo WASSE Tochigi “Sansui Kyori” successfully concluded, with emotions that go beyond the words “gratitude.”
But this isn’t the end yet.
We will continue to weave this into a legacy, for the next generation, and for the future…
To be continued
Provided by Karasuyama Washi
Wataya Zenbei/Wataya Dolls
