The "Phantom" Vermilion Bird, Revived in the Modern Age

In 1972, Japan's first discovery of polychrome murals was made at the Takamatsuzuka Tomb in Asuka Village, Nara. This two-tiered circular tomb, built between the 7th and early 8th centuries, features constellations on its ceiling and the Four Gods—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird—representing the cardinal directions on its walls, forming a microcosm for the deceased's eternal slumber.


Designated a National Treasure, these murals suffered damage from tomb robbers during the Kamakura period. By the time of their discovery, they had already sustained significant harm. The Vermilion Bird, guardian of the south, for instance, had vanished entirely due to a hole made for theft on the south wall. The remaining murals were also deteriorating from rainwater intrusion and mold growth, leading to the tomb's dismantling in 2006. Restoration work is currently underway at a facility managed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Moved by the "scarred" history of the Takamatsuzuka Tomb, artists have brought the majestic figures of the Four Gods, including the Vermilion Bird, back to life through the power of visuals. These artists are Colo GraPhonic, a VJ and visual artist based in Osaka, and Jamie Goodenough, a filmmaker from Scotland—a collaboration between Japanese and British talent.


"Our starting point was to revive the lost Vermilion Bird in the modern era," they recall. The result is a five-minute visual piece. Using four projectors and six speakers, they depict the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird soaring through a starry sky.

Projection mapping involves projecting computer-generated imagery onto buildings and spaces. It's hailed as the "ultimate visual experience" because it combines three-dimensional screens with cutting-edge visual technology, allowing viewers to experience 3D-like visuals without special glasses. While recently gaining traction with large-scale installations at landmarks like Tokyo Station and Osaka Castle, using an ancient tomb as a screen is an unprecedented endeavor.

"We've done projection mapping in many places, but what matters most is what you project onto and the connection it has," the artists explain. "The theme here is a collaboration across time. We're reviving the 'microcosm' that the tomb builders depicted in the stone chamber, in a way they could never have imagined. That's what we found fascinating." They invite you to witness this moment where two worlds merge across 1,300 years.

360° Projection Mapping in Takamatsuzuka Tomb ~The Revived Four Gods~

"SPACE ECHO"

Date | March 1 (Sat), 2 (Sun)

Time | 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Venue | Takamatsuzuka Tomb

538 Hirata, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture (within the National Asuka Historical Park)

*Free shuttle buses will run from the Ishibutai Tomb parking lot.

Admission | Free

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Inquiries

National Asuka Historical Park, Asuka Management Center

Tel. 0744-54-2441