Inochi Exhibition

LIFE Exhibition

Inochi Exhibition

- Warmth I Remember -

Connecting with the source of life

“An experience of reaching beyond the self and feeling connected with all things.”

Art and Satori

The world photographed within the womb in the 1970s seemed to extend beyond mystery into a realm of cosmic consciousness.

Real photographs and the power of words are brought together as art.

Through sound, moving images and an extraordinary space,

we connect with the deeper consciousness within ourselves.

Rather than simply looking, we invite you to feel with your heart.

Sharpen every sense, including intuition, and let your sensitivity guide you.

We hope you will discover the feeling of connection—of becoming one—that lies beyond.

To encounter the radiance of your own life.

We believe that radiance is a message of life, from you to yourself,

and a light that can guide you.

Artists / Masahiko Hashimoto & Sayaka Hashimoto

Past venue

The 1,250th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai’s birth — Kongōbu-ji Okuden, World Heritage Koyasan

Special opening of a space normally closed to the public

May 14–July 9, 2023 / Saturdays and Sundays / 30 people per session

25-minute LIFE screening + Inochi Exhibition / approximately 45 minutes in total

The Okuden stands within one of Japan’s largest rock gardens,

Banryūtei, and is a special room normally closed to the public.

Created for the 1,250th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai’s birth

HOW WONDERFUL LIFE IS / Masahiko Hashimoto & Sayaka Hashimoto

In the collection of Kongōbu-ji, head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism

「HOW WONDERFUL LIFE IS」

The intention behind the artwork

The photograph in this work, in which a fetus appears to float in space, is a real photograph taken within the womb in the 1960s.

The star-like forms in the background are also part of the photograph, not computer-generated imagery.

Within the womb, a world that resembles the cosmos unfolds.

In the spiritual vision behind this work, the universe—the source of all life—begins with a vibration represented by “A.”

Long before photographs of the universe existed, our predecessors sensed the presence of something greater.

They understood that greater presence, the cosmos, as Dainichi Nyorai and expressed it through the single sacred syllable “A.”

Behind this syllable lies the Womb Realm: the cosmos as the source of life, a world in which all is embraced.

This is why it has been cherished and handed down as a sacred character in which a great power resides.

Across time, the creation of life within the womb evokes the birth of stars within a galaxy.

A microcosm unfolds within the womb.

For us, the womb’s acceptance of another developing life evokes a profound world of welcome.

This world of generous love, embracing all, is how we envision the Womb Realm.

“A,” the great cosmos and source of all things, resonates with the microcosm within the womb.

In this vision, being born means separation from that world of acceptance.

We throw ourselves into countless actions as we seek to escape loneliness and anxiety.

A soul that has forgotten who it is struggles to recover its connection with the cosmos.

Your life is here.

“You are love itself, born of the resonance between the great cosmos and the microcosm of your mother’s womb.

Your life is precious, a long-awaited gift across the ages. Please never forget this.” We created the work with this wish.

Masahiko Hashimoto

Dedication ceremony

June 14, 2023 / Aoba Festival

HOW WONDERFUL LIFE IS, created to commemorate the 1,250th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai’s birth, was dedicated to Kongōbu-ji, head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.

Right: Kunihiko Yabu, head of Koyasan’s executive office and secretary-general of the anniversary celebrations. Left: director Masahiko Hashimoto and Sayaka Hashimoto.

Approximately 700 people attended. The dedication ceremony followed a special screening of LIFE.

On display in Kongōbu-ji’s Shin-betsuden at Koyasan

The work is displayed to the left of the large mandala in Kongōbu-ji’s Shin-betsuden, alongside works by distinguished artists. Please visit when you come to Koyasan.

Official Koyasan website

Koyasan

20 years of World Heritage status

Commemorative event

Venue

Kongōbu-ji Betsuden, Koyasan

Kongōbu-ji admission fee applies

August 23 (Fri)–September 23 (Mon), 2024

No advance registration required

Looking ahead to our second special exhibition at Koyasan

This is our second year of exhibiting at Koyasan.

Last year, we held our first Inochi Exhibition in the Okuden, Kongōbu-ji’s special guest rooms, as part of the celebrations marking the 1,250th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai’s birth.

It was our first attempt to express life through an exhibition. Many visitors from Koyasan, elsewhere in Japan and overseas were moved to tears. Some told us, “This is truly Kūkai’s world. It expresses the world of esoteric Buddhism that Kōbō Daishi taught.”

We are deeply grateful to everyone who came to experience it.

Koyasan is a sacred place founded by Kōbō Daishi Kūkai, one of Japan’s great spiritual figures.

Kūkai’s legacy continues to attract attention beyond Japan.

In today’s uncertain world, perhaps we are drawn to a thinker who envisioned sophisticated ways of living together more than 1,200 years ago.

The year began with unexpected hardship. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by disaster. With prayers for recovery, and a wish to welcome more visitors, this year we will exhibit in the Betsuden at Kongōbu-ji, overlooking Banryūtei.

Banryūtei depicts two dragons.

They represent the Womb Realm and the Diamond Realm.

In our artistic vision, the dragons embody the truth and energy of nature and the cosmos, and something that also exists within us.

The meeting of these two powers evokes the moment our life is born into this world.

Each of us is a precious being, born into this world with that radiance.

For us, the radiance of life reaches beyond mystery into a sacred realm of creation.

Through real photographs, we invite you to encounter this sacred world.

Shop

The exhibited artworks are available to purchase.

For a celebration, a moment when life is passed on, or a gift to yourself.

Each piece is newly made for you. Please allow time for production and delivery.

Your purchase also supports our work. Thank you for your consideration.

It may take some time, but we will create a new piece and deliver it to you. These artworks make meaningful gifts for special occasions, such as celebrations, moments when life is being passed on, or even as a gift to yourself.

Your purchase also supports our activities, and we greatly appreciate your consideration. Thank you for your support

Inquiries about hosting the Inochi Exhibition

For exhibition hosting and media inquiries, please contact us.