"Inami International Wooden Sculpture Camp," called "Camp", has been held in the Inami area of Nanto City every four years since 1991, with the theme of "To Bring the World Together through Wooden Sculpture." Throughout Camp, sculptors invited from around the world complete their wooden sculpture works in open air work places, so that not only sculptors but also all visitors can communicate with one another. This setup creates a supportive environment rather than that of a competition. This program makes it possible to promote international understanding and cultural exchange, as each work represents the national traits, traditions, and culture of each country. Camp is also expected to help make Inami recognized as a base for spreading the culture of wooden sculpture throughout the world. Sculptors passionately create their highly skilled works using a variety of unique tools, such as mallets, chisels, and even chainsaws. The beginning log, made of camphorwood, is about 1.8 meters (approx. 6 ft.) long and 50 centimeters (approx. 20 in.) in diameter. Along with the sculpting, many other activities also take place in collaboration with Camp, including a photo contest and an international cooking event. Camp 2015 will take place for 13 days from August 18th (Tuesday) through the 30th (Sunday) at Zuisen-ji, the largest temple in the Hokuriku region, built in 1390. The vicinity of this temple is the workplace of about 200 woodcarvers, making the area one of the world`s largest production centers for woodcarving. The combination of historic wooden structures, along with the new artistic creations of invited sculptors, provides a stimulating environment for meaningful intercultural exchange.
About the Camp
Camp in 2015
Artists
- Fabián Raul rucco (Argentina)
- Marcus Roderick Tatton (Australia)
- Mou Xinsheng (China)
- Jakub Flejšar (Czech)
- Dechandt Antal (Hungary)
- Roberto Merotto (Italy)
- Hyun Changyoung (Korea)
- Marko Petrović njegoš(Montenegro)
- M’hamed El Aadi (Morocco)
- Andreas Schaller (Switzerland)
- Ayla Turan Baysaler (Turkey)
- Nakazawa Tatsuhiko (Japan)
- Ishida Yosuke (Japan)
- Yojima Yuki (Japan)
- Nomura Shuso (Japan)
- Inami Woodcarving Cooperative Society (Japan)
- The Artist Society of Inami Town (Japan)
Programs
Schedule
Travel and Transportation
By Train
Tokyo ▶ Shin‐Takaoka Station: Hokuriku Bullet Train
Osaka ▶ Shin‐Takaoka Station: Hokuriku‐honsen & Hokuriku Bullet Train
Nagoya ▶ Shin‐Takaoka Station: Tokaido‐Honsen & Hokuriku‐honsen & Hokuriku Bullet Train
From Shin-Takaoka Station on the Hokuriku Bullet Train: Take the Kaetsunou Bus and get off at Inami (approx. 50 mins).
By Air
Haneda Airport (Tokyo) ▶ Toyama Airport
Shinchitose Airport (Sapporo) ▶ Toyama Airport
From Toyama Airport: Take the Kaetsunou Bus to Tonami Station (approx. 75 mins), then change the bus to Inami (approx. 15 mins).
By Car
Tokyo ▶ Tonami Exit: Kan‐Etsu & Hokuriku Expressways
Osaka ▶ Tonami Exit: Meishin & Hokuriku Expressways
Nagoya ▶ Fukumitsu Exit: Meishin & Tokai‐Hokuriku Expressways
Approx. 15 mins from either the Tokaihokuriku Expressway Fukumitsu Exit or Hokuriku Expressway Tonami Exit.