Japanese artist to place sculpture at Devils Tower

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Friday, September 05, 2008

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From the birthplace of Buddhism to the home of the Pope, Junkyu Muto has placed his world peace sculptures in some unique locations.

But most Black Hills residents won't have to travel too far to see the third installment of his series.

Muto's "Circle of Sacred Smoke" creation, the third of seven sculptures he plans to carve to promote world peace, was brought to Devils Tower National Monument this week and will be celebrated with a ceremony Saturday.

The 12-foot sculpture represents the first circle of smoke ascending from a peace pipe, Muto said. The peace pipe has spiritual meaning for Native Americans, who consider Devils Tower a sacred mountain.

Muto said he felt chills the first time he went to Devils Tower and was inspired to carve a sculpture for it.

"I felt a great impression looking (at) the Devils Tower," he said. "When I saw Devils Tower, my imagination was so natural."

The sculpture, which has been placed in the park's picnic area, will be officially unveiled Saturday at 1 p.m.

The sculpture "honors the American people as a gesture of world peace and also helps raise visitor awareness of the connections to the Tower by American Indian tribes," according to a brochure released by Devils Tower.

The unveiling will feature tribal drum groups, Japanese Taoko drummers, local and Japanese singers and tribal dancers. 

Spearfish painter Sandi Swallow will be selling blankets depicting the sculpture with the tower in the background. Swallow said she appreciates Muto bringing the sculpture to Wyoming.

"My hope is that this will call attention to world peace and to the significance of the site," she said.

Muto, who lives in Italy, planned the sculpture as the third installment in his vision for world peace. He gave a sculpture to Pope John Paul II in Vatican City and to the government of India. That statue was placed in Bodhgaya, India, near the Bodhi tree where, according to tradition, Buddha attained enlightenment.

A native of Japan who studied arts at the University of Tokyo, Muto has lived in Italy for the past 35 years. He moved there to study classical works of such artists as Michelangelo and to work with white carrara marble, which is only available in Italy.

The marble, which comes from the Carrarra Mountains in Italy, is the only kind Muto uses for his carvings. He calls it the "best marble in the world."

He reserves his sculptures for culturally significant areas, and Devils Tower qualifies, he said.

"It's very strange, incredible," he said of the monument.

If you go

What: Public unveiling of new interpretive site featuring a sculpture by Japanese artist Junkyu Muto.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6

Where: Devils Tower National Monument, near Hulett, Wyo.

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com