Behind the Scenes at Naoshima Art Sanctuary - Interviews with a Famous Guide Islander Interviews – Ideal for Your Trip Home

Naoshima is known as a sacred place for contemporary art, but there is one islander who is affectionately known as "Sunset Man": Hajime Tateishi, born and raised in Naoshima. He is a "famous guide" who has been interacting with domestic and foreign tourists and artists, and has been observing Naoshima art activities since the early days of the island. The Honmura area where Mr. Tateishi lives is dotted with artworks created by famous artists such as Rei Naito and Shinro Ohtake. In addition to the Art House Project, the Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, and others, Tateishi is closely observing the evolution of the island through the power of contemporary art, and is continuing to support encounters between people and the island. For photos of the Naoshima sunset that Tateishi continues to photograph, please visit the Art Gallery.

Announcer of island life
Mana

Announcer of island life
Mana

Born in Yokohama. After visiting the Setouchi International Art Festival as a student, she fell in love with the islands and moved to Kagawa, where she joined Setonaikai Broadcasting, covering art, traditional culture, and daily life on the islands.
Lives in Naoshima
Hajime Tateishi

Lives in Naoshima
Hajime Tateishi

Born and raised in Naoshima. He lives in the "Honmura area" where the historic townscape remains and the popular " Art House Project " is being developed, and is affectionately known as "the old man of the sunset" who guides tourists from home and abroad. He has been photographing the sunsets of Naoshima for more than 10 years as his life's work, and his works have been exhibited at art facilities on the island. Click here to read the interview.

An island of art, the basis of which is the connection between people.

Warm exchanges make art more accessible.

When you travel around the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, local people often talk to you. Hajime Tateishi, who lives in Naoshima, is one such person. He talks to tourists on the street and sometimes gives them directions.
There are some artworks near my house, so tourists often come here," he says. So they ask, 'Where are you from? or 'What are you going to see next? They come from far away to see the art. It would be a pity if they came all the way from far away to see the art but had trouble finding their way to their destination. Besides, I see how hard the artists are working on their works, so I want to support them and encourage them to see their works.

Mr. Tateishi actively talks to not only tourists but also to artists who are staying on the island to work on their projects. Sometimes I help them with simple tasks," he says, "and I have seen the process of completion and the hard work of the artists up close. Seeing them work like that makes me interested in their work and makes me want to support them.

I have been watching the process of Naoshima transformation into an "island of art" for a long time.

I left the island after graduating from high school, but came back when I was 33 and have lived in Naoshima ever since. It is that kind of island.

The first major art event held in Naoshima was " Naoshima Standard. It was in 2001, nine years before the Setouchi International Art Festival began.
Many young artists came to the island, and it was a very lively event. Thanks to that, I made 1,000 friends on SNS. Some of the artists are now very famous, and I treasure the autographs they gave me back then.

Tateishi has witnessed the Naoshima art scene up close and personal, starting with the Naoshima Standard. He says he has become attached to the museum because of his direct contact with the artists and his close observation of the museum's development.
I don't think I would be that interested in a completed artwork if it was brought in from somewhere and just put on display," Tateishi said. I think it is because I know the artists themselves that I want to support them. An island of art is not established by the works of art alone, but rather is rooted in the relationships between people. That's why I want to interact a lot with both tourists and artists.

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