In 1993, Kawasaki Hiroteru’s bronze statues titled “Mirai e no Sanka” (Hymn of the Future) was unveiled across from JR Akabane Station in Kita ward.
When I saw the statues, I was surprised to see two naked men as statues but I always thought of Tokyo being progressive when it comes to art and fashion and these statues were just a part of that art culture that permeates throughout metropolis.
But the more I did my research on this, I realized that “Mirai e no Sanka” has received its fair share of criticism.
Do parents want their children to see statues with men’s nether region so evidently displayed in front of a train station.
Even writer/art historian Kinoshita Naoyuki was interested in seeing the logic to having these statues in public, so he ended up searching all over Japan and showcase them in his 2012 book “Kokan wakashu – Otoko no hadaka wa geijutsu ka”.
So, since I’m an observer of art and part of my enjoyment is the research but also how people can have different interpretations of artwork.
In the case of “Mirai e no Sanka”, I looked and it looks a man getting jilted by his lover. But is it two male lovers? But then it begs the question, why are they nude? Lovers quarrel? Breakup? Why the somber expression? I’m sure we could think up a lot of things that could have led to such bitterness?
Or perhaps the “Hymn of the Future” meant progressive in Tokyo society, acceptance that was not so easy in 1993 but in the future, a life without prejudice and hatred. Could it be that 1993, Japan society was not a culture of acceptance?
But that is the point of art, how one can interpret art and each having their own answer.
For me, the expression on the face of the male statue with his arms crossed, it looks like he is upset with a “leave me alone” attitude. While the male with his arm around him is trying to be comforting.
Personally, I have had my share of women in my life that have done the arm crossing, and it’s typically not for the best reasons…
I then started to think how this sculpture is just out there in front of the station. I started to have a thought of how children become playful, do kids climb up the statue? Ask their parents why they are not wearing clothes? Do they get all touchy and feely with the statue like they do with Hachiko the dog? Do they dress these statues up in different seasons?
Nevertheless, it was an interesting statue to see because I didn’t expect to see it. But even more interesting is to read what people’s interpretations of the statues and their actions may be.
