92 x 72 inches
2026
Mixed media installation with acrylic paint paint on black canvas roll with consecrated rope and cut paper
In the practice of the Shugendo religion on Mount Koshikidake in Yamagata, Japan, one of the main aspects of training is the yearly mountain entry undertaken by participants. Soke Shodo Koshikidake’s family style of Shugendo has been practiced at this site for 72 generations, yet his lineage is in danger of disappearing due to an aging Japanese population and lack of suitable heirs. This installation evokes memories of mountain training, where one fasts for a specific period while ascending and descending the sacred peak. During this time, many helping hands appear in the form of friends, animals, teachers, and spirits who provide encouragement. In this installation, one is able to approach the unseen helpers of the Koshikidake Shugendo tradition, as symbolized by the bodhisattva Jizo, who protects those undergoing a journey. The consecrated rope and shide paper strips further indicate that approaching the memory of the mountain is an act of purification.