[Participating in the Yonago Sculpture Symposium]

On the night of July 13, my ferry left the quay of Otaru and set out on a voyage. I finally realized that I was going to participate in the 2004 Yonago Sculpture Symposium. It was the night of July 14th that the ferry arrived in Maizuru, feeling the temperature gradually rising as I decided to go south on the Sea of Japan. On the morning of July 15th, I drove on the highway in fine weather and entered Yonago in the early afternoon. hot. The final inspection of tools such as air tools to bring and consumables such as cutter blades and loading into the car started one week before departure.

I knew about the Yonago Sculpture Symposium for a long time, so I was hoping that one day I would be able to carve stones with Yonago. I am very honored to participate this time. I first visited Yonago at the preview meeting held in late February. The calm appearance of Yonago's town gave me a sense of security even though I visited for the first time. At the preview meeting, we confirmed the installation location and decided the location, and selected the stone to be used at the stone dealer. After returning to Hokkaido, I examined how to make the best use of the space of the installation site to install the sculpture.

Production started on July 17th. According to local Yonago people, it seems to be hotter than usual this year, and by the way, the temperature of the Minatoyama Park parking lot at the production site was rising early in the morning. The days of making the electric fan prepared by the secretariat at full throttle continued. The production venue was visited by locals and other people from afar, and it was one of the pleasures to meet and talk with them. Volunteers took care of us throughout the session. "We writers can comfortably produce delicious homemade dishes, coffee and cold drinks during breaks, and washing work clothes such as shirts and trousers full of stone powder. Thank you for your attention. I also had a chance to loosen my shoulders. Thank you.

There were three other writers who participated in this symposium, but I was taught a lot about the production method and the way of thinking about sculpture. There was a lot of sculpture during the session. Still, I was able to touch the sand at the famous Tottori Sand Dunes and had some time to relax at some hot springs. We enjoyed the taste of local seafood and meat, with the executive committee members feasting at home and the secretariat taking us to a delicious restaurant. The work was successfully installed thanks to the warm support of the mayor, executive committee members, secretariat, volunteers, traders, and other related parties. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My work is installed beside the sidewalk at the entrance of Minatoyama Park. Please feel free to touch it. Among the children who participated in the sculpture class and made sculptures with stones, there may be people who will be responsible for the future culture of Yonago. I'm looking forward to it.