Miwa Komatsu in front of the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Hiroshima

Contemporary artist Miwa Komatsu (born 1984 in Nagano Prefecture) has dedicated two artworks, created during a live painting in 2023, to the cities of Hatsukaichi (Hiroshima) and Mont Saint-Michel (France). Known for her powerful expression and works themed around Divine Spirits, this dedication marks a significant step forward in her creative journey.

Scene from the art dedication ceremony

On June 25, 2024, an art dedication ceremony was held in Hatsukaichi, featuring a conversation between Miwa Komatsu and the mayor of Hatsukaichi, Taro Matsumoto.

The artwork dedicated to Hatsukaichi, titled "Prayer for Peace," was created during a live painting session at Mont Saint-Michel in November 2023.This pair of artworks consists of one piece dedicated to Hatsukaichi and the other, "Prayer for Compassion," dedicated to Mont Saint-Michel.

Live painting at Mont Saint-Michel, Photo by Tatsuya Higashi

Hatsukaichi and Mont Saint-Michel are both renowned tourist destinations. Hatsukaichi is home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic Great Torii, while Mont Saint-Michel features the majestic abbey bearing its name. Despite the differences between a shrine and an abbey, both are World Heritage Sites that float on the sea and have a long history as sacred places that observe the ebb and flow of the tides.

The live painting at the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Hiroshima, in 2022, and the live painting at Mont Saint-Michel last year, signify that Komatsu is the only artist to have performed "INORI" live paintings at both of these sacred sites. This also symbolizes the strengthened connection between these two holy places through Komatsu's art.

The dedication at Itsukushima Shrine

Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine is located, is also famous for its traditional crafts, particularly the wooden rice paddles known as shamoji. Upon the request of the priest of Itsukushima Shrine, Komatsu had been working on a large painted shamoji. On the previous day as the art dedication ceremony, Miwa Komatsu dedicated the completed special shamoji to Itsukushima Shrine.

Miwa Komatsu at Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Hiroshima