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As dusk descends upon the town of Hanamaki, a quiet transformation begins. The sun's final rays cast a warm glow over the streets, and the sky deepens into a canvas of twilight hues. Amidst this serene setting, a remarkable spectacle awaits those who venture near the northern side of JR Hanamaki Station.
There, an imposing wall stands—ten meters tall and stretching eighty meters in length. By day, it appears unassuming, its surface adorned with faint white outlines that hint at something more. But as the sun dips below the horizon and darkness envelops the town, the wall awakens. (city.hanamaki.iwate.jp)
At the moment of sunset, a series of ultraviolet lights flicker to life, casting their invisible beams upon the wall's surface. Slowly, as if summoned from the depths of imagination, a luminous scene emerges. The once-muted outlines now glow with ethereal brilliance, revealing a fantastical tableau inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's beloved tale, "Night on the Galactic Railroad." (asahi-mullion.com)
In this radiant mural, a pair of steam locomotives, their forms rendered in vivid detail, seem to surge forward from a futuristic cityscape. The city itself gleams with golden hues, its spires reaching skyward, embodying dreams of progress and boundless possibility. Above, the vast expanse of the cosmos stretches out, stars twinkling like distant beacons guiding the trains on their celestial journey. (asahi-mullion.com)
The artist behind this masterpiece, Osami Yamamoto, poured his vision into the wall in 1993. Utilizing special luminescent paints that respond to ultraviolet light, he crafted a scene that remains invisible by day, only to reveal its full splendor under the cover of night. The creation process was arduous, with Yamamoto enduring weeks of autumn nights, exposed to the elements, as he brought the mural to life. (asahi-mullion.com)
This luminous artwork serves not only as a tribute to Miyazawa's literary legacy but also as a symbol of Hanamaki's aspirations. The imagery of trains departing from a gleaming metropolis into the vast unknown encapsulates the town's hopes for growth and exploration, bridging the past with visions of the future. (nhk.or.jp)
For residents and visitors alike, the mural has become a cherished landmark. Some have even chosen to make their homes nearby, drawn by the nightly spectacle that offers a moment of wonder and reflection. As one local resident shared, the sight of the glowing mural from her window brings a sense of peace and inspiration, a daily reminder of the beauty that emerges when art and imagination converge. (asahi-mullion.com)
Each evening, from sunset until 10 p.m., the mural stands as a beacon of creativity and hope. It invites passersby to pause and immerse themselves in a world where trains traverse the galaxies, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. In the heart of Hanamaki, this glowing testament to Miyazawa's vision continues to inspire, reminding all who witness it of the endless possibilities that await when we dare to dream. (city.hanamaki.iwate.jp)