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A mural painted by one of Japan’s master artists has graced a once empty wall in Christchurch.
Morio Nakajima has painted Mount Fuji more than 5000 times, and his latest iteration of the iconic landscape in New Brighton Mall comes 60 years into his career.
The 79-year-old told 1News no matter how many times he draws Mount Fuji “it is very difficult”, so he is “never bored” of painting it.
“It is said to bring in fortune with the silhouette of an open fan, they say in Japan, that is why I draw the mountain of good fortune Mount Fuji.”
Back home, Nakajima is known for painting the mountain at bath houses in Japan, called sentō. He is one of just two artists still practicing the traditional art form.
Keisuke Wada, who lived in Christchurch during his years at high school, is one of many who have been inspired by Nakajima’s artwork in the sentō bathhouses.
So much so, when Wada heard of Nakajima’s dream to spread his work outside of Japan, he began fundraising.
“I knew Christchurch is a mural art town where I used to stay for high school, and I thought I could help him with making his dream come true.”
Nakajima said people familiar with his work often ask him which painting is his best.
“Today’s painting is going to be the best, number one,” he laughed.
Nakajima hoped the artwork will inspire onlookers and make them want to travel to Japan to see Mount Fuji in real life.
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