Artworks in Japan International Cooperation Agency -Yokohama center-

This is a work that can only be seen at JICA Yokohama, for which it was proposed since it is home to the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum, a museum that covers the history of Japanese migrating overseas. This work consists of a series of works including those at the second-floor entrance and the second-floor atrium pillars.

It aims to evoke in visitors, as they walk towards the entrance depicting the Osanbashi Pier of that era, the scenery of the time and the emotions of the Japanese migrants.

In this participatory work, the "messengers" are the animals who were native to the virgin forests of the pioneer era, such as anteaters and armadillos, as well as creatures such as sloths and capybaras that still inhabit the migrants' destinations. These "messengers" deliver messages from the migrants to the visitors, and the visitors leave their own messages to be delivered to future generations by the messengers. Anecdotal stories involving the plants and animals are posted alongside their photos. Come browse the exhibit, write a message on one of the narrow strips of tanzaku paper, and hang your message on the tree.

The work is filled with scenes from towns inhabited by Japanese migrants to the United States, Central and South America, and elsewhere, as well as scenes from their daily lives and local culture. It conveys the courage, hard work, and history of such migrants, spanning several generations at their new homes. At the center of the work is the Port of Yokohama from which many emigrant ships departed, and JICA Yokohama, which strives to connect Nikkei communities throughout the world with Japan itself. Join in the coloring and learn about the history and culture of Japanese migrants and Nikkei people overseas. You will also be able to take the coloring work home with you.

This is a new work created for JICA Yokohama that takes into account the colors of the Yokohama sea and sky visible from the windows, aiming to inject beautiful elements of nature into the JICA Yokohama building and thereby bring people comfort and relaxation, while also giving them time to reexamine themselves. Feel a sense of cross-border connection with nature, people, and cultures that exist beyond the ocean.