marihiraga
mirrors
Overview | CULTIVATED HEART AMID FALLING BLOSSOMS
＠Shōyōden Hall, Suma-dera Temple
The Art Festival Associated with Suma 2026, to be held at Sumadera Temple, will feature Mari Hiraga’s exhibition “CULTIVATED HEART AMID FALLING BLOSSOMS” as well as art performance “A Flower but for a Day, Yet a Light Across Distant Ages.”
The exhibition brings together contemporary art and history, centering on the theme of Taira no Atsumori*, the Heike* and their age.
Suma has been depicted in numerous classical Japanese texts and has been the site of many historical events. The world of Suma—its landscape, the culture and social systems of the time, and its broader historical context—is reflected in Mari Hiraga’s conceptual poetry and artworks through the artist’s perspectives on: 1) creativity, transformation, and prosperity; 2) mono no aware* (the pathos of things), the samurai spirit, and the currents of history; and 3) views of nature and the Buddhist concept of emptiness (ku*). This exhibition is also linked to the world of the Noh play Atsumori.
The art performance will feature a live sculpture that the various parts of the sculpture are assembled like ikebana to create a large-scale sculpture by Mari Hiraga.
Furthermore, this special performance includes a live performance of the Nohkan* by Mari Hiraga.
We hope you will enjoy immersing yourself in Mari Hiraga’s world.
Taira no Atsumori: [1169-1184] The youngest son of Taira no Tsunemori, a younger brother of Taira no Kiyomori*, and a gifted player of the transverse flute. Traditionally said to have been sixteen years old, Atsumori fought as a member of the Heike at the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, which was fought around Fukuhara and Suma in Kobe. The manner of his death has long evoked a profound sense of mono no aware and has been retold in Noh and many other forms. His cherished “Aoba no Fue” (Aoba Flute), which he is said to have carried with him even on the battlefield, is displayed in the treasure hall of Sumadera Temple.
The Heike: Among the Ise Taira, a branch of the Taira clan descended from Emperor Kanmu, Taira no Kiyomori rose to lead the Heike in the late Heian period. He was appointed by Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa to the position of Dajō-daijin, the highest-ranking office in the imperial government, and came to wield political power. The Heike, however, ultimately fell at the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
Taira no Kiyomori: [1118-1181] A Japanese military leader, head of the Taira clan, and the court noble descended from Emperor Kanmu. He achieved a number of significant accomplishments, including establishing Japan’s first samurai-led government and promoting a monetary economy and foreign trade, laying innovative foundations in a wide range of fields. However, amid his excessive centralization of power and the complex circumstances of the time, Minamoto no Yoritomo and other anti-Taira forces rose in rebellion, leading to the Jishō–Juei War (Genpei War). During the conflict, Kiyomori transferred the capital to Fukuhara in Kobe, but later died of a fever.
Mono no aware: A Japanese aesthetic that envisions a world of profound depth and graceful delicacy, created at the point where ‘mono,’ the external objects that naturally stir feelings of poignancy or awareness of impermanence, meets ‘aware,’ the inner, subjective experience of being moved.
Nohkan: A Transverse flute used for accompaniment of Noh theater and other performing arts. It has an unusual internal bore restriction of about 2–3 mm called a nodo, gives its unique high pitched sound that is rich with high frequency harmonics.
| Schedule | ||
| Festival Part I | 2026.10.25(Sun) | 14:00-16:00 |
| Festival Part II | 2026.11.8(Sun) | 14:00-16:00 |
|
Doors open : 13:30 Mari Hiraga's events will be held on both days. | ||
| Programme | ||
|
Mari Hiraga's Sculpture Exhibition CULTIVATED HEART AMID FALLING BLOSSOMS Mari Hiraga's Art Performance A Flower but for a Day, Yet a Light Across Distant Ages | ||
|
This exhibition will be held in the open space in front of the hall on the first basement floor of Shōyōden (青葉殿). The art performance will be held in the hall on the first basement floor of Shōyōden. Elevator available. | ||
| Theme | ||
| Taira no Atsumori | The Heike and their age | ||
| Significance | ||
| To reflect on the history associated with Suma and connect it to the future from a unique perspective | ||
Art Performance | A Flower but for a Day, Yet a Light Across Distant Ages
＠Shōyōden Hall, Suma-dera Temple
|
Live Sculpture Title : A Flower but for a Day, Yet a Light Across Distant Ages Each sculptural part is assembled on the spot to create a large-scale sculpture. The live sculpture takes about 10 minutes The strain of the Noh flute creates a unique atmosphere A special performance that included the live performance of the Noh flute by Mari Hiraga |
Concept
Introduction
MARI HIRAGA:
Mari Hiraga is a sculptor who emphasizes portraying the “human world” through personification, transforming narrative and ideas into organic artistic forms.
Mari Hiraga’s work encompasses several series: the Personification Series, which represents the human world through nature and anthropomorphic viewpoints; the Sculpture and Pearl Series, incorporating pearls both as a concept and as a material; the MEMORY Series, which explores neural cells; and the Live Sculpture Series, in which large-scale sculptures are created live in harmony with the sounds of instruments such as the nōkan, the Japanese transverse flute.
Mari Hiraga’s activities also extend broadly, including a projection-mapping presentation of the digital art, MEMORY, at Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai.
( 2026.7.10 )
International Cultural and Art Exchange Exhibition
I also appeared in the opening ceremony and art event held on the first day of the International Cultural Arts Exchange Exhibition and did Live Sculpture!
Also the mayor of Himeji and councilors attended the event.
( 2026.7.10 )
Thought
I wandered around the temple grounds and through Suma, visiting places related to the concept, as I thought through the exhibition concept for the temple art festival to be held at Suma-dera Temple this fall.
Just imagining ones for the festival makes my heart race with excitement.
The theme this time is Taira no Atsumori, a samurai of the late Heian period of Japan.
I feel like playing the dragon flute, ryuteki, again for the first time in a long time.
( 2026.6.13 )
Practices of Gongyo
This morning I had a valuable gongyo experience at Sumadera.
Deep breathing is important!
Gongyo Experience
Thanks to a connection I made during the gongyo experience, I also took part in a goma fire ritual after breakfast.
Experiencing an unfamiliar world was a joy and felt very refreshing.
Grateful for new encounters!
( 2026.6.13 )
Opening Ceremony & Art Event | Art Bridge 2026
Mari Hiraga will present both an artwork exhibition and a live art performance at the International Cultural and Arts Exchange Exhibition to be held in Himeji this June.
The live art performance will feature the live sculpture work previously showcased in Mari Hiraga’s 2024 exhibition “Blossom of Understanding.”
In the live performance, Mari Hiraga will create a sculpture inspired by “shinden-zukuri” architecture of the Heian period and interpretations of Kobe.
We would be delighted if you could attend.
Development
Mari Hiraga “Blossom of Understanding” exhibition
( 2026.5.29 )
Solo Exhibition＠Grand Front Osaka & LUCUA osaka
At the “MEMORY COLLAGE” exhibition, Mari Hiraga presented works themed on the human body and fractals, including two-dimensional pieces that contrasted the core concepts of order and chaos.
Due to the interplay with lighting, I explored improved display methods and ultimately made the unusual decision to change the fixtures after the exhibition had already begun. This became a meaningful experiment that will inform future presentations.
At the “TRUE COLORS UNFOLDING” exhibition held at LUCUA Osaka—organized on short notice—Mari Hiraga exhibited a work originally created and shown in 2018, reimagined through the natural patina and evolving character of brass to reveal a renewed metallic expression.
I sincerely thank everyone who visited despite their busy schedules.
Reservations for artwork purchases continue to be accepted even after the exhibition period, so please feel free to contact Mari Hiraga.
The following three solo exhibitions are currently on view:
Thank you.
( 2026.5.28 )
Art Festival @ Suma-dera Temple
I will be participating in the "Suma-related Art Festival" to be held at Suma-dera Temple this fall.
( 2026.5.23 )
Exhibition Overview
The "FLOWERED LIFE" exhibition, held at the beer restaurant Holz with a calm atmosphere of the NEW München Group in the Ohatsu-Tenjin-dori shopping street, is a contemporary art exhibition that displays four works from Mari Hiraga's Personification series, including a previously unpublished work.
We invite you to appreciate this unique worldview that depicts human society through diverse modes of personification.
Development
HOLZ | Easiest way to get there (with photos)
( 2026.5.23 )
Holding my solo exhibitions at the same time
( 2026.5.18 )
Exhibition Overview
The "FLOWERED LIFE" exhibition, held at the beer restaurant Holz with a calm atmosphere of the NEW München Group in the Ohatsu-Tenjin-dori shopping street, is a contemporary art exhibition that displays four works from Mari Hiraga's Personification series, including a previously unpublished work.
We invite you to appreciate this unique worldview that depicts human society through diverse modes of personification.
Development
HOLZ | Easiest way to get there (with photos)
( 2026.5.6 )
Prince, I ♥ & respect Ur spirit & philosophy
One Song | Prince
1999, and the illusion continues
One begs to ask, "when will it end?"
Unnatural disasters happen seemingly every week
Train crashes, shootings, nuclear accidents
Is there any place of refuge one can flee from this insanity?
Very few of mankind's creations are designed to make you feel good
Unless you get pleasure from seeing the human body
Desecrated by guns, explosions, fights
And any other things these so-called "artists" create
In the name of freedom, many have used art as a means to destroy the human mind
As an excuse to continue we hear "Art reflects society"
How many times has this lie been repeated: "creations are not real"
They say and yet any one of these people can call to mind
Images and complete scenes of horror in graphic detail
They will carry these so-called "unreal" creations around with them for the rest of their lives
These images are now a part of their being
In the name of recreation these people in fact are recreating themselves in their own images
Society then reflects art
In man's decision to further separate from God
His re-creation of himself leaves him in a dysfunctional state of confusion
The mind becomes a burial ground for dead waste
Isolated from the wholeness of God, Earth and his fellow brothers and sisters
This man seeks solace in activities he thinks will stimulate his mind
He begins downloading into his brain a series of manmade creations designed to destroy it
All manmade creations originate from one of two sources
The Tree of Knowledge or the Tree of Life
One of these trees contained deadly fruit, the other - Fruit of Everlasting Life
The one who disregards this fact recreates himself and his kind into extinction
You are reading these words on a machine created by man
As you read, you hear a voice speaking to you the words that you perceive
They make sense to you because you understand (stand under) the spelling
The words are what binds this spell to your illusion
When you hear the truth, like a memory
You recognize it and this recognition releases you from all illusion
Many languages are brilliant in their attempt to confuse you
Con meaning: against, fuse meaning: together
Words and their spellbinding illusions have the power to keep man separate from God
You were born in an all-knowing state of mind
The first words spoken to you begin the spell
The words come from one of two sources
The Tree of Knowledge or the Tree of Life
In ignorance or simply lack of respect for God
Many use words that confuse the minds of humans and turn them into projections of their own illusions
Because of this fact, many people grow up and blindly assume their pre-selected role
Under a dictatorship without even being aware of it
When asked what they are doing here on earth, most will answer with statements
That do not reflect their natural God-given desires
This creates a pyramid-like structure with the dictator on top
And each level under it knowing less and less
Upon reaching the bottom level - which is where the majority is
You will find chaos, disorder, and illusion
With ill as its prefix, illusion is a state of insanity
In the name of democracy, supreme power is vested unto the people in this insane state instead of God
A future re-created, to be ruled by man, is one of isolation and despair
Returning the leadership back into God will allow mankind to achieve its original collective goal
Which is union with God
Ideas contrary to this goal should not be blamed or persecuted - just simply ignored
They originated when man first chose to ignore God's rule
Simply put - in the beginning, the Human was made perfect in God's image
They had no need for knowledge
They were also given freedom of choice
The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life are reflections of this freedom
The human is now a reflection of their choice
They could have simply chose not to choose
God being centrifugal in nature, freedom was the cause and choice was the effect
In knowing their perfection made in God's image, there was no need to choose
In fact, their were no needs
There was only love in an all-knowing state before the fall
The worst thing you can do is give up your God-given right to choose
For in it - you can choose not to choose
Therein is the final judgement
The illusion ceases and you awaken from your dream
Now the healing begins...
With an all-knowing mind, made in God's image
You can create as your Creator - God intended
With love, honor and respect for every living thing in the universe
Separation ceases, and we all become One Being singing the One song
I am the universe
The sun, the moon and sea
I am the energy
For that is what I believe
I can be contradiction
'Cause that is all I see
But I am the universe
And the universe is me
I am the one song (Ah yes)
And that one song is free
All things come from this one song (Yes they do, uh)
The garden and the tree
If everything, everything is present
What is will always be
This here is the first and the last song
And all that come between
When language falls like a wounded soldier
And it's covered by the sea
All the sadness
All these unanswered questions
Keep me company
(Company, company, company come to me, come to me please!)
Here at the center of it all
(I know)
I know that you can only come from me
(I am the universe)
Yes it will, oh, yes it will
(The sun, the moon and sea)
Where else is it gonna come from but me?
(I am the universe)
Oh my, my my my my my my my universe
(The universe is me)
(I am the universe)
(The sun, the moon and sea)
(I am the universe)
(We are the universe)
(The universe is me)
One truth
One song
One energy
( 2026.4.21 )
Exhibition Overview
The MEMORY COLLAGE exhibition in the Miratap Osaka showroom presents contemporary art exploring the correlation between nerve cells and Fractal structures.
I will invite viewers into my unique vision by expressing the interplay between the flow of matter, connection and development, and the relationship between subject and space—within both the human body and the mathematical regularity—through the distinctive properties of various metals.
Explanations
Developments
◆◆◆
- Helding concurrently -
This exhibition will be held at the same time as the following exhibitions:
( 2026.4.15 )
Exhibition Overview
The TRUE COLORS UNFOLDING exhibition to be held in the Küche NEW München, Osaka is a contemporary art show of the Personification Series, which reborn the work "OPEN TRUE COLORS" released in 2018 with a new expression as the 2026 version. This exhibition is a single‑piece presentation showcasing only “TRUE COLORS UNFOLDING,” a work that symbolizes the blooming of identity in all things through a imaginary plant.
Developments
( 2026.4.15 )
Venue Preview @ Osaka
My solo exhibition will be held at Holz, a "NEW München" affiliated restaurant near Osaka Station.
Details such as the start date will be confirmed at a later date, but we currently plan to hold the event by mid-June.
( 2026.3.26 )
Change of Solo Exhibition Dates
Due to interior construction work at the venue, the start date of the solo exhibition that will be held from April has been delayed, and the ending date has also been adjusted.
4/17(Fri)- 5/10(Sun)
↓
4/24(Fri) - 5/24(Sun)
( 2026.3.25 )
Meeting @ Osaka
My solo exhibition will be held at the Küche NEW München on the 1st basement floor of the LUCUA osaka.
This event will be held at the same time as a solo exhibition held at the Miratap of the Grand Front Osaka!
( 2026.3.18 )
雕塑與珍珠系列
＠香港
雕塑家 平賀茉莉 × ISOWA PEARL GROUP 的合作
概要
系列理念
原理之環
生命之必然
偶然之必
魅之積層 成多元之利
內面性
內蘊之核
記憶之重疊
個之色 生輝
干涉色之光
普遍性
豐厚之包容
共榮之
端麗之妙
寶玉之澤
介紹
1983年生於日本兵庫縣神戶市
以敘事性為基調，將思考昇華為有機的藝術表現，並著重以擬人觀詮釋「人之世」的雕塑家。
其創作涵蓋多個系列：透過自然等元素，以擬人觀呈現人之世界的「擬人觀系列」；將珍珠融入創作概念與作品之中的「雕刻與珍珠系列」；聚焦神經細胞之構造與功能意涵的「MEMORY系列」；及結合能管（日本傳統橫笛）等音色，於現場創作大型雕刻的「Live Sculpture系列」等。
於2025大阪・關西萬博期間，其數碼藝術作品《MEMORY》以光雕投影（Projection Mapping）形式公開放映，創作實踐橫跨多元媒介與領域。
( 2026.2.19 )
Sculpture and Pearl Series
＠Hong Kong
Collaboration Between Sculptor MARI HIRAGA and ISOWA PEARL GROUP
Overview
Mari Hiraga is now introducing a new artistic direction, the “Sculpture and Pearl Series,” which incorporates pearls both conceptually and materially into the existing Personification Series. This new series also links to the ideas explored in Mari Hiraga’s MEMORY Series.
The work, CORE, shown at this show will be the first ever unveiled from the “Sculpture and Pearl Series,” making it especially significant.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to present it in Hong Kong.
Series Concept
The circle of first principles.
The inevitability of life.
Necessity in chance
Captivating accumulation from multiple dimensions
Inner Life
Core held within
Overlapping layers of memory
Setting aglow the colors of self
Light from optical inference
Universality
A richness encompassing all
Quiet elegance
At the cusp of beauty
The luster of a precious gem.
Introduction
Born in Kobe in 1983
Mari Hiraga is a sculptor who emphasizes portraying the “human world” through personification, transforming narrative and ideas into organic artistic forms.
Mari Hiraga’s work encompasses several series: the Personification Series, which represents the human world through nature and anthropomorphic viewpoints; the Sculpture and Pearl Series, incorporating pearls both as a concept and as a material; the MEMORY Series, which explores neural cells; and the Live Sculpture Series, in which large-scale sculptures are created live in harmony with the sounds of instruments such as the nōkan, the Japanese transverse flute.
Mari Hiraga’s activities also extend broadly, including a projection-mapping presentation of the digital art, MEMORY, at Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai.
( 2026.2.19 )
Exhibition Overview | AUSPICIOUS BLOOM
Long-term Exhibition @ Kyoto
— Filled with color, blossoms open, green breathes, auspicious blooms —
The long-term solo exhibition, Auspicious Bloom, will be held at the housing equipment manufacturer's showroom, Miratap Kyoto.
This time's exhibition theme is the World of Auspicious Blossoms.
Concept
Colors are stored, linking to change, flowers of fortunate omen
Unfolding
A meeting blessed, a bond in bloom
Ever-prospering
Buds sprout, the growth of lush life, nurturing voice
Developments
( 2026.2.18 )
Project @ Kobe
Meeting @ Isowa Pearl Gallery
We will launch a new collaboration of sculptures and pearls.
I am very happy and excited to be able to develop my works as an artist in Kobe, the World's Premier Pearl City.
( 2026.2.6 )
Long-term Exhibition @ Osaka
The long-term solo exhibition, Crystals of Memory, has started today at the housing equipment manufacturer's showroom, Miratap Osaka, on the 5th floor of the Grand Front Osaka North Building.
This time's exhibition theme is the silver world.
( 2026.2.6 )
Exhibition Overview | CRYSTALS of MEMORY
Long-term Exhibition @ Osaka
This exhibition presents the silver-colored metal works of Mari Hiraga.
Echoing the season of thaw, silver shifts with light and rests like a quiet crystal.
As it melts, flows, and connects, the material reveals traces of memory and resonance.
We invite you to experience the subtle presence and transformative nature of silver color.
Concept
Silver light crosses the boundary,
reflecting existence
Melting, linking, and flowing
The crystals of memory
Flickerings of lingering silver
Developments
( 2026.2.6 )
Venue Preview @ Himeji
I previewed spaces for an international cultural and art exchange exhibition.
Himeji Castle is close to the venue.
( 2026.1.12 )
Venue Preview @ Kyoto
I previewed a space for my permanent art show.
( 2026.1.6 )
Happy New Year !!!
Best wishes for a successful and rewarding year.
( 2026.1.1 )
