Please explore the pins on this Ezu* as a starting point, to find your own adventures full of mysterious tales and natural wonders in and around Yunotsu. Whether you live here or are visiting, please let this be a chance to look around you with fresh eyes. In a way this project is meant as a modern pilgrimage through the most magical places surrounding this hot spring harbour.
Ezu, (絵図, roughly “picture diagram”) were not necessarily geographically accurate depictions of physical landscape, as is generally associated with maps in modern times, but pictorial images, often including spiritual landscape in addition to physical geography. Ezu often focused on the conveyance of relative information as opposed to adherence to visible contour. For example, an ezu of a temple may include surrounding scenery and clouds to give an impression of nature, human figures to give a sense of how the depicted space is used, and a scale in which more important buildings may appear bigger than less important ones, regardless of actual physical size. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_maps
During the residency of ten weeks my goal was to find what sets this small Japanese town apart from other places in Shimane.
Its name, Yunotsu, means Hotspring-Harbour and that is what it is most famous for; the very old and healing Onsen, and once being the port for most of Japan’s silver. But to me the town is more than just its history. (Even though it is said that, due to ageing, the monkeys here started to outnumber the thousand residents of the town).
What struck me the most during my time here was a sense of connection, almost magical in its depth: Each place seemed to whisper its secrets, every detail begged to be seen, and around every corner there seemed to be a kamakiri (praying mantis) waiting for me.
Yunotsu’s story unfolds in layers: mineral-rich hot springs, streets paved with stone that carry the footsteps of centuries, and a sea that cradles the village in its eternal tide. But Yunotsu is not simply a relic; it is alive. The village pulses with the energy of a new generation—youth dedicated to reviving this forgotten treasure while preserving its soul.
To invite others to explore here, I created this online tour styled after an Ezu map and a handmade booklet on Sekishu Washi paper. The booklet will be available at Mujun (JP), Mono Japan (NL), and the Yunotsu tourist centre.
I also printed photographs on Jado Shi washi, inspired by Kagura, blending Yunotsu’s spirit with my dreamlike imagery. I hope these images will inspire you to these surroundings with fresh eyes.
— Yunotsu challenged me to reflect on the balance of preservation and reinvention, of roots and aspirations. This is more than a journey to a distant village—it is an invitation to reimagine the relationship with your surroundings.
So: Welcome to Yunotsu, where adventure is inevitable and magic can be found everywhere.
This project was realised during a residency at the AKIYA A.I.R. – organised by the amazing MUJUN (JP) and the great MONO JAPAN (NL). On 18/12/24 both me and the other selected artist, Matilde Patuelli, will present the works made in Yunotsu town. She also created these invites.
The AKIYA A.I.R. project was kindly supported by the Embassy of the kingdom of the Netherlands, IAAF and Satoyama Install. “Mura no Kokoro” was warmly supported by Stichting Oscar Maarsman, my patrons and friends.
And a special thanks to all of the Yunotsu-and-surroundings-based sponsors and friends.
♡
