About
Passing through the hustle and bustle of Shibuya Station and stepping into the connecting passageway that links the Keio Inokashira Line and the JR Line, one is suddenly confronted by a gigantic mural. This is Taro Okamoto’s masterpiece, “Myth of Tomorrow.” Measuring 5.5 meters high and 30 meters wide, the work seems as if a torrent of energy transcending time and space is overflowing from the wall.
At the center of the mural, the moment of an atomic bomb explosion is depicted. Flames and shockwaves swirl, and human figures, their skeletons exposed, are nevertheless shown attempting to rise again—an impressive sight. The motif is the 1954 hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll and the incident of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru, which was exposed to radiation as a result. Taro Okamoto expressed this tragedy not merely as a disaster, but symbolically represented the indomitable spirit and regenerative power of humanity.
This mural was originally intended to be installed in the lobby of the Hotel de Mexico in Mexico, with production beginning in 1968. However, due to the hotel’s worsening business conditions, construction was halted and the work itself went missing. After many years, it was discovered in 2003 in a storage yard on the outskirts of Mexico City, and after restoration work, it was permanently installed at Shibuya Station in 2008. (shibukei.com)
Fifteen years after its installation, in 2023, cracks and stains on the mural became noticeable, prompting a large-scale restoration project. Led by restorer Emiru Yoshimura, efforts such as removing dirt, repairing cracks, and reproducing colors have been undertaken to preserve and pass on the work. (www3.nhk.or.jp)
Amid the clamor of Shibuya, this mural quietly yet powerfully asserts its presence. Passersby stop in their tracks, moved by its grand scale and profound message. The theme Taro Okamoto infused—“the infinite potential and regenerative power of humanity”—continues to speak to us across generations. By facing “Myth of Tomorrow” in this place, we may find a way to overcome past tragedies and discover hope for the future.