“TOKYO SENTO Festival 2020” is an event jointly organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Arts Council Tokyo of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, as one of “Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL Special 13,” which are 13 projects selected from among applicants. This event will take place at approximately 500 public bathhouses across Tokyo until September 5, 2021, featuring a sento art project, stamp rally, and more. (This event was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed due to coronavirus countermeasures.)
The TOKYO SENTO Festival Project
Public bathhouses, known as sento, have existed since the Edo period (1603-1867) and have had a strong influence on popular culture. Sento have served as community hubs where neighbors can catch up on local news and exchange small talk, as well as enjoy a relaxing soak in spacious tubs. This project was initiated to help people get a better understanding of the culture of sento and its many benefits. Special noren curtains and decorative flags designed by manga artist Mari Yamazaki hang outside approximately 500 sento facilities across the city, indicating participation in the TOKYO SENTO Festival.
Sento Art Project
Each sento has its own characteristics and style, and this is most evident in the giant murals in the bathing areas. Paintings in the humid conditions of public bathhouses get damaged over time and are a form of ephemeral art that must be replaced every few years. Like exhibitions in a museum, the time these artworks can be enjoyed is limited, making each visit potentially unique. To reflect this experience, the Sento Art Project asked a group of artists of varying backgrounds and genres to showcase their work on murals across four select sento in Tokyo. All four works will be removed after the event is over. Mizuki Tanaka, a famous sento artist, supervised three of the four works.
The Sento Art Project exhibits:
“Miitsuketa! (I Found It!) -Yu” at Benten Yu, Kichijoji
Prominent art director and illustrator Ichio Otsuka has carved out a versatile career in everything from TV commercials and publications to costume and character design. He is currently art director for the popular NHK program Miitsuketa! and designed a mural using characters from the show to delight both children and adults.
Venue: Benten Yu
Address: 2-27-13 Kichijoji-honcho, Musashino City
Nearest station: Kichijoji Station
http://www.1010.or.jp/map/item/item-cnt-678
“Ancient Balaneion no Yu” at Hachiman Yu, Yoyogi-hachiman
Manga artist and essayist Mari Yamazaki is famous for her award-winning “Thermae Romae” manga series, which follows a time-traveling architect from ancient Rome to modern day Japan. He is inspired by Japan’s bath customs and technology and takes some of it with him back to ancient Rome. This painting is an image of a public bath facility in ancient Greece called “balaneion.”
Venue: Hachiman Yu
Address: 1-2-10 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku
Nearest station: Yoyogi Hachiman Station
https://www.1010.or.jp/map/item/item-cnt-355
“Art “Yu’rut” Hagi no Yu, Uguisudani
Takeru Aoki and Kiyomi Hoshi, both of whom have been highly acclaimed in the “art brut” genre, created this mural. Aoki is known for his richly colorful and powerful works, while Hoshi is known for his fearless and dynamic approach, often depicting animals. This work expresses the theme of “abundance comes from human connections.”
Venue: Hidamari no Izumi Hagi no Yu
Address: 2-13-13 Negishi, Taito-ku
Nearest station: Uguisudani Station
https://haginoyu.jp/
“Yuransen” at Konparu Yu, Ginza
Daijiro Ohara is a graphic designer who creates both editorial and packaging design, as well as engaging in exhibitions and workshops. His work combines contemporary art with traditional sento-style art and liberally makes use of projection mapping, creating a unique touch.
Venue: Konparu Yu
Address: 8-7-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Nearest stations: Shimbashi Station, Ginza Station
http://konparuyu.com/
Stamp Rally
Visitors to any of the approximately 500 participating sento across Tokyo can collect stamps with each visit. After collecting a designated number of stamps, participants are eligible to receive a special TOKYO SENTO Festival 2020 cotton tenugui towel (as long as stocks last). The campaign will end on September 5, 2021 or once participating sento run out of tenugui towels.
