Artists Against War

What can artists do in time of war? This series conveys messages from Japanese artists in various fields in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Production

Logo for NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Seasons

7 Episodes • Premiered 2022

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 1: A Salvo of 17 Syllables

1. A Salvo of 17 Syllables

Noted haiku poet Kono Saki creates anti-war haiku while recalling the role of this poetic form during World War II. As both a poet and a mother, what will Kono say in the short space of seventeen syllables?

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 2: Arpeggio from Afar

2. Arpeggio from Afar

Believing in the power of music, renowned conductor Kobayashi Kenichiro dedicates each of his concerts to peace in Ukraine, while recalling World War II and the years he spent in Eastern Europe.

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 3: Silenced Voices

3. Silenced Voices

Morimura Yasumasa is a renowned artist known for his maverick self-portraits. When asked whether he could become Putin, he starts recounting his thoughts on the role of art in relation to war.

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 4: Wake up, Unite and Move

4. Wake up, Unite and Move

Nakata Ryo, leader of funk band Osaka Monaurail, talks about the potential of protest songs and the role of musicians in relation to the war.

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 5: The Wounds of Language

5. The Wounds of Language

War leaves wounds on people, land, even language. Yu Miri, winner of the Akutagawa Prize and U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature, contemplates the impact of the invasion of Ukraine.

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 6: Soldiers, Don't Shoot My Friend

6. Soldiers, Don't Shoot My Friend

Don't shoot my friend! Writer, and performing artist Ito Seiko visited Gaza in 2019 where he met Yasser Harb, a driver. Ito writes and reads a poem to improvised music, thinking of Yasser and Gaza.

Still image for Artists Against War season 1 episode 7: White Dove over the Jordan River

7. White Dove over the Jordan River

Miwa Komatsu, known for paintings of divine spirits, recalls a memorable scene at the Jordan River from 2016. Praying for the eradication of war, she draws a painting of peace.

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