Tenkukaikatsu – Meiji Jingu Forest: Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition

“Tenkukaikatsu” (天空海闊  “as open as the sky and sea”) means “stretching into the far reaches of a broad, clear sky above.” Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of Japan’s most important shrines and temples, and the inner and outer shrines are full of abundant nature, covering 700,000 square meters. Much loved these day as a rich sanctuary in the center of the city, it is not so well known that the forests were actually planted by hand 100 years ago. Designed as a contemporary sustainable urban solution in forestry, landscape and urban studies, young people volunteered from all across the country to help build the forest and gardens. We believe now is a good opportunity to look at this fact once again through these exhibitions, and consider the position of art and nature in the city for the next 100 years. For the first time ever an exhibition of outdoor sculpture will be held in the grounds of the shrine. The four artists visited the shrine many times while they prepared their works, to understand the history and culture of the shrine, and gained a feeling of respect and awe. You can enjoy their works placed quietly among the trees, reflecting their natural surroundings.