Key Facts
• 2025 marks 80 years since the end of World War II.
• Poet Sō Sakon lost his mother during the 1945 Tokyo Air Raids.
• His poem collection, Burning Mother, reflects his grief and guilt.
• Artist Shūji Haruno transformed Sakon’s poetry into paintings.
• Haruno used soft, non-threatening techniques to depict the tragedy.
• The exhibition, Sakon Emaki Conceptual Exhibition, is held at Tobata Library.
• The library celebrates its 100th anniversary with this exhibition.
• Paintings are displayed across stairs and windows, mimicking a picture scroll.
• Visitors can retrace Sakon’s memories of the “path of fire.”
• The exhibition runs until June 29, 2025.
Summary
The Sakon Emaki Conceptual Exhibition at Tobata Library commemorates 80 years since the end of World War II. It features paintings by artist Shūji Haruno, inspired by poet Sō Sakon’s Burning Mother, a collection reflecting his tragic experience of losing his mother during the 1945 Tokyo Air Raids. Haruno, who had a personal connection with Sakon, used soft artistic techniques to convey the emotional depth of the poems without being overly graphic. The exhibition, designed to resemble a picture scroll, allows visitors to follow Sakon’s memories of the “path of fire.” Haruno emphasizes the importance of passing historical lessons to future generations, using art to engage audiences of all ages. The exhibition runs until June 29, 2025.
