Kamiten: A Manga and Art Exhibition Held on a Fabled Isle
The manga culture magazine “COZIKI” is only available for purchase on Iki Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, a sacred place referred to as “the isle of the gods.” In October 2019, the “Fabled Isle Art Exhibition Kamiten” was held on Iki Island, featuring displays of artwork from contributors to the magazine, video installations, live music performances and talk shows.
Designed as a space where participants could immersively experience the beauty of Iki Island and the world view of “COZIKI” through all five senses, Kamiten offered plentiful opportunities to interact with a wide range of artists who came to the island to stage talk shows and signing events, in addition to displays of artwork from “COZIKI” itself. Other special events included a video installation starring actor Mirai Moriyama, live musical performances from YAKUSHIMA TREASURE (a collaborative project between Wednesday Campanella and Oorutaichi) and Torimari & Ego Searchers, a spice curry using ingredients from Iki Island as showcased in “COZIKI” produced specially for the occasion by curry researcher Jinsuke Mizuno, and a special sushi stand operated by Daisuke Okada, proprietor of the by-reservation-only sushi restaurant Sumeshiya, featuring recreations of sushi from the manga using local Iki Island fish. The sale of original merchandise and a fun stamp rally were other small additions which helped make the event a great success, hosting visitors from throughout Japan.