Akita Airport "Fishing Addict Sampei and Masu Trout Swarming (Tsurikichi Sampei : Yamame Gun-ei)"

Ceramic Relief

Governor of Akita Prefecture
SATAKE Norihisa
Owing to the cooperation of Japan Traffic Culture Association, a ceramic relief "Fishing Addict Sampei and Masu Trout Swarming", which was created from the original drawing by Mr. YAGUCHI Takao, one of the representative manga artists in Japan and born at Masuda district of Yokote City in Akita Prefecture, is going to be installed at Departure Lobby on 2nd Floor of Terminal Building, Akita Airport. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all involved, including Mr. YAGUCHI, for their efforts in the creation and installation of the work.
This work, in which the dynamic shape of fishing lover Sampei boy is drawn with a fishing rod and a flock of masu trout, is a bright smile offerer for many people who use Akita Airport as well as the residents of Akita prefecture as a symbol of nature-rich Akita. Thanks to the installation of the ceramic relief, I am expecting that it will give anartistic charm to the airport and be loved from everyone forever. Akita Airport will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year, and has over 1,200,000 users every year, since such overseas charter flights as Taiwan's are in service in addition to the regular flights linked with the major domestic airports like Haneda, Itami, New Chitose and Chubu. And to meet the increasing inbound demand, we have arranged the staff capable of responding in English and in Korean at the general information desk.
In Akita Prefecture, we will continue to make efforts to improve the convenience for users, such as expansion of the airflight networks. Your continued support and cooperation would be highly appreciated.

Director General of JPTCA
TAKI Hisao
Japan Traffic Culture Association has been actively engaged in promoting arts and culture since its establishment in 1948. The main pillars of activities are the exhibition project represented by the "Traffic Culture Exhibition", the scholarship projects represented by the "Takifuji Foundation" and "International Takifuji Art Award", and the public art promotion project.
There are words that speak for our thoughts. They are in Herbert Read's "The Meaning of Art"as below;
"Now what we are missing is not an artist - the masses - not the masses who have consciousness on art - unconsciously artistic masses."
We continue our projects in hope of making "an environment in which everyone unconsciously come into contact with art"by creating artworks such as stained glasses and ceramics reliefs that are present in public spaces where many people come and go, and realizing a generous and comfortable society.
The work in Akita Airport will be 517th one after our association started public art project. We deeply appreciate many of you who have sympathized with the significance of public art and who helped us.
We wish for your further understanding and cooperation on our activities such as promoting public art and promoting institutionalization of "1% for Arts" which the latter would be the basis of the development of public art.