Sasamori Inari Shrine 1200 year anniversary commemoration project

-Gunma, Japan-

In 2023 I was asked to join a project in commemoration of Sasamori Inari Shinto Shrines 1200 year anniversary. 

Joining a small team led by Motoe Kawashima, I was given the task of painting 64 motifs for the ceiling of the main shrine building. As is custom the ceiling was already divided with beams into squares, 99 in total. the other 35 motifs representing various gods, deities and elemental symbols were painted by Sanae Aiba and Motoe Kawashima. The motifs were painted onto wood panels and installed in the ceiling as part of an overall restoration of the shrine building ahead of the commemoration ceremony in March of 2024.

The 64 motifs assigned to me were divided up into 4 groups of 16, with each group representing a season. I was given a list of flora and fauna for each season from which I drew up designs. The original design idea was to have each motif sit within a background circle, but as I started to get into the design process I realised that it was possible to suggest the circle using the subject matter itself. This idea was well received and it was agreed to be the way to proceed. Once all the sketches were finalised I created an overall layout with each motif given its position within the 99 square grid. This was important because some of the panels were a slightly different dimension and they needed to be pre numbered before painting began. It also allowed us to work out a good balance in terms of shapes and colours overall.

Once all the Layouts were finalised it was onto the painting process. The panels had been pre prepared with a golden yellow gesso background colour by Kawashima San. I projected the motifs onto the panels to make a sketch and then painted them using acrylic. I had very little experience painting with acrylic beforehand, but I was able to adapt my previous experience and strong foundation of skills to the task, and I’m happy to say that the results were well received by all involved and the local people in the area of the shrine.

The project lasted a year in which time I spent living in Gunma, Japan. An incredible experience that I will treasure.