This work is intended to be a piece that helps us revisit "that time." "That time" refers to March 11, 2011. On that day, our values and worldview were greatly shaken.
Naturally, there is a sense of mourning for those who passed away and sympathy for those who were affected, but various thoughts also crossed the minds of those who were not directly impacted.
"At that time," I felt despair, helplessness, emptiness, anger, and awe towards nature.
"At that time," I experienced human kindness, bonds, and connections.
"At that time," I believed in friendship, hope, the human heart, and its strength.
"At that time," I vowed to reflect, to resolve, and to promise.
But "that time" is slowly being forgotten.
So, through this work, I will go and meet "that time," "that person."
I will go and meet "my heart" of "that time."
I will go and meet "someone's feelings" of "that time."
"At that time," I experienced human kindness, bonds, and connections.
"At that time," I believed in friendship, hope, the human heart, and its strength.
"At that time," I vowed to reflect, to resolve, and to promise.
But "that time" is slowly being forgotten.
So, through this work, I will go and meet "that time," "that person."
I will go and meet "my heart" of "that time."
I will go and meet "someone's feelings" of "that time."
That is the kind of place we aim to create. So that people can reunite with their loved ones. So that they can revisit the feelings they had back then. At "Umi no Toki - Tohoku," we hope to create such works by standing with those who have been affected, and by collaborating with many people who share our empathy and support.
Contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima
Artwork concept for "Sea of Time - TOHOKU"
Within a 22.5m x 40m water basin (a shallow water feature), 3,000 LED counter gadgets, embodying the hopes of 3,000 individuals, will glow brightly.
This sight will evoke the quietly lapping waves of the Tohoku sea.
Currently, preparations are underway to construct a museum in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, overlooking the sea, for the permanent installation of the artwork "Sea of Time - TOHOKU."
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Miyajima Tatsuo | *Sea of Time – TOHOKU* Idea Drawing | 2015 -
Tatsuo Miyajima | "Sea of Time – TOHOKU" Concept Drawing | 2024 -
Layout diagram | 2023 -
Layout Diagram | 2016 -
LED gadgets used -
"Sea of Time – TOHOKU" [Excerpt]｜2020｜Partial display at Mori Art Museum
Profile
Tatsuo Miyajima
Contemporary artist
Born in 1957. In 1988, he was invited to the Newcomers' Section of the Venice Biennale, where his works using digital numbers garnered international attention. Since then, he has held numerous exhibitions both in Japan and abroad, showcasing his works in over 250 locations across 30 countries worldwide. In 1990, he resided in New York at the invitation of ACC. In 1993, he resided in Paris at the invitation of the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain.
His representative works include "Mega Death" (1999 / 2016), "Counter Void" (2003, TV Asahi Collection), and "Sea of Time '98" (1998). He also promotes the "Revive Time: Kaki Tree Project" (1995-), in which children around the world raise second-generation柿 (persimmon) trees from those exposed to the atomic bomb. In 1998, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London.
From 2006-2016, he served as Vice President of Tohoku University of Art and Design. From 2012-2016, he served as Vice President of Kyoto University of Art and Design. In 2020, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Fine Arts.
Tatsuo Miyajima Official Website｜https://tatsuomiyajima.com/
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Megadeth | 1999 -
Time Waterfall｜2016｜photo: MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG
What is "Time Setting"?
Each of the 3,000 numerical LEDs in "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" counts at a different speed.
Through the "Time Setting" workshop, where participants set the time at which the numbers 9, 8, 7, 6 ... change (from 0.2 to 120.0 seconds) and share their thoughts and feelings about that time, we have had 2,922 participants to date (as of June 1, 2026).*
In the "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" project, each participant is positioned as a "collaboration artist," and a "certificate of participation" is issued as proof of being one of the artists.
*As of the end of March 2026, participation registration for time settings has been closed.
Participants' Thoughts
Below are some of the messages of affection for Tohoku and the thoughts behind the chosen number of seconds, received at the Time Setting Workshop.
0:58
It was on May 8, 2012 (5/8) that my second life began, when I returned to Kamaishi from Tokyo after the earthquake. My family home was gone, and I had to find a job. I was full of anxiety. The sight of Kamaishi being destroyed, seen by me who had lived in the city because I disliked the countryside, made my heart feel like it was going to burst. I made the decision when I saw my mother's happy smile when I told her, "I'll come back."
Born in 1958, female
60 seconds
I wanted to confront the earthquake through art.
Born 1979, Male
Past Activities
Beginning with research in 2015, we have conducted time-setting workshops and exhibitions for about 10 years.
We have held a total of 49 workshops across 39 locations in 9 prefectures, including online sessions. As of June 1, 2026, 2,922 participants have attended.
Past Participants :
2,922people
As of June 1, 2026
