Greeting from the Executive Committee

AMABIKI 2019, the 11th AMABIKI exhibition, opened together
with the blossoming of cherry trees. The exhibition was first held in
1996 when seven sculptors active in Sakuragawa City (former Yamato
Village) announced their wish to exhibit their works in the village and
surrounding satoyama (border area between mountain foothills and
arable flat land near villages). From the second exhibition held the
following year, artists working in various materials and forms were also
invited to participate. The exhibition came together through monthly
meetings in which each artist served as an executive committee member.
Through the fifth exhibition, the exhibition was called the "nth
AMABIKI VILLAGE AND SCULPTURE." However, the addition of
"nth" to the name of the exhibition raised the feeling that each event
was held just to increase that number, so the use of a single name was
examined and decided upon. It has now been three and a half years
since the previous exhibition, AMABIKI 2015 Rin-rin Road. It was
decided that the monthly meetings should be not only meetings for
making decisions regarding the exhibition but also valuable venues for
discussions of sculpture. There was also a desire to hold the exhibition
during spring, when the cherry trees that cover the satoyama begin to
bloom. In this way, the timing of the exhibition was decided. This is
the first exhibition held in spring since 2006, thirteen years ago. This
exhibition has been created through nearly two years of preparatory
meetings and full meetings. Exhibiting sculptures amid changing seasons
and in different areas, the exhibition is founded on the identity of each
artist as a sculptor with a basic desire to create and display works of art
while living in the satoyama.
AMABIKI 2019 is cosponsored by the Sakuragawa City and the
Sakuragawa Board of Education. The AMABIKI exhibitions have been
held for 23 years, a feat made possible through the understanding and
support of the mayor, city office staff, local ward heads, landowners,
and volunteers. We on the Executive Committee will do what we can to
communicate the culture of Sakuragawa City through the exhibition.
I would like to express special appreciation for the assistance we have
received during the busy spring season.

The AMABIKI exhibition Executive Committee
Executive Committee Chairman
OTSUKI Takayuki