Worship of Magi (Holy Landscapes Series) 東方三賢王の礼拝（聖風景シリーズ）

Led by a star coursing above their heads, the three Magi of the East are on the road to salute baby Jesus. The well-known episode from the Bible is presented here with forceful outlines and bright colors. The artist does not like his painting to change as he works on it, and it is realized on canvas exactly as it has been conceived in his mind, with the colors applied one by one onto line-divided planes. The flatly applied acrylic produces uniform color planes that are without depth or weight, making the painted figures look like shadows. The artist considers the “Holy Landscapes Series” including this work as a modest experiment in reexamining the meaning of human existence at its very basis. The experiment arises from his intense distrust of human beings including himself. According to the artist, in our time, there is no organic tie to connect the individuals with the society, and we can not dream of building a spiritual community like those portrayed in Medieval religious painting that seek the eternal in the communion with heaven and earth. It was to stress this matter, the artist says, that he has intentionally presented this scene as if this is happening within the community. The clean, flat figures in it give off a sense of cheerful hollowness despite the peaceful theme.