Artists Against War

Noted haiku poet Kono Saki creates anti-war haiku while recalling the role of this poetic form during World War II. As both a poet and a mother, what will Kono say in the short space of seventeen syllables?

Believing in the power of music, renowned conductor Kobayashi Kenichiro dedicates each of his concerts to peace in Ukraine, while recalling World War II and the years he spent in Eastern Europe.

Morimura Yasumasa is a renowned artist known for his maverick self-portraits. When asked whether he could become Putin, he starts recounting his thoughts on the role of art in relation to war.

Nakata Ryo, leader of funk band Osaka Monaurail, talks about the potential of protest songs and the role of musicians in relation to the war.

War leaves wounds on people, land, even language. Yu Miri, winner of the Akutagawa Prize and U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature, contemplates the impact of the invasion of Ukraine.

Don't shoot my friend! Writer, and performing artist Ito Seiko visited Gaza in 2019 where he met Yasser Harb, a driver. Ito writes and reads a poem to improvised music, thinking of Yasser and Gaza.

Miwa Komatsu, known for paintings of divine spirits, recalls a memorable scene at the Jordan River from 2016. Praying for the eradication of war, she draws a painting of peace.