American artist Kjell Hahn founded the Shiro Oni Studio in 2009 and in 2013 a collaboration of community-minded artists, Tokyo and Onishi locals, formed with the goal of expanding the Studio to be part of an artist in residency program. The Kinuya building was donated to the group who then founded NPO Kinuya Art Net, an organization that looks to re-purpose under-used, historically important buildings in the area surrounding Onishi. Onishi is a small town in the Gunma Prefecture around two hours north of Tokyo.
The art residency was founded with three main goals:
1. To create a non-commercial space for artists to concentrate on their work
2. To facilitate increased opportunities for artists to work together and exchange ideas
3. As a way to expose outsiders to the Japanese countryside as well as to help revitalize the area
Yamori house, view from dining room, Onishi, Japan (photo: Magda Wojtyra/flickr)
“Shiro Oni’ literally translated means, “white ogre.” Oni are common in Japanese folklore, depicted more as misunderstood outsiders than something to fear. Different color Oni have distinct personalities and characteristics and the stories about them bear similarity to greek mythology. As there is no traditional “white oni,” “Shiro Oni” has an ambiguity built into it, allowing the term to incorporate a broad range of ideas.
Onishi from Yamori house roof, Japan (photo: Magda Wojtyra/flickr)
The name of the town, Onishi, (ogre stone) comes from a thousand year-old story of a ogre harassing and throwing stones at the area. According to legend, a famous Buddhist monk Koboudaishi came to the town and banished the ogre. During his residency, Canadian cartoonist Marc Ngui created a short comic of the story.
Kinuya House front, Onishi, Gunma, Japan (photo: Magda Wojtyra/flickr)
Yamori House Residence
Yamori means gecko in Japanese, and there were many of these mosquito devouring angels around the house. Yamori house is a sprawling 3 story structure that was both the offices and workers’ residence of a successful decorative rock business that boomed, along with Japan, in the 80’s.
Yamori house, bedroom, Onishi, Japan (photo: Magda Wojtyra/flickr)
Now the owner, Neeyama-san, uses it as a weekend house and generously opens up the whole house to participants in the Shiro Oni artist in residence. Bedding was donated by a local hotel.
The bathroom is grand and features a wall of rocks that brought the wealth, the second floor deck is just spoiling for a large party, and there are wonderful views of the whole Onishi valley from another deck on the roof.
Yamori house bathroom, Onishi, Japan (photo: Magda Wojtyra/flickr)
There are a dozen tatami covered rooms all awaiting artists, as well as several small empty buildings in town to use as studios.
Check out the Shiro Oni Studio for information about the artist in residence program.
Yamori house, Onishi, Japan
Address: Shiro Oni Studio
370-1401 Gunma, Fujioka
Onishi 529 Japan
From AKABANE station Take TAKASAKI SEN line North toward TAKASAKI. The train also stops at IKEBUKURO and SHINJUKU, though less often. Get off at HONJO Station (about an hour and a half, around 1600 yen).
Then take a BUS from HONJO station: Walk out ticket gate. Go RIGHT. walk down the stairs. There are three bus stops. Go to the stop on the far RIGHT, in front of the 7-Eleven. Last bus is at 8:15pm weekend, 9pm. weekday. Take bus to ONISHI YUBIN KYOKU MAE 鬼石郵便局前. (40 minutes, 640 yen)
Walk toward the stoplight. Turn RIGHT at corner. Walk about 1 minute. Shiro Oni studio is on your right. (3 minutes)
