Seki Bin (1930–2023) was born here in Yaho. He became a sculptor alongside his older brother, Seki Gantei—a very rare case at the time for two brothers to both become artists.
Interested in displaying his art in public spaces for many people to enjoy, Seki Bin entered Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geidai) to study sculpture. However, creating large bronze sculptures was extremely expensive. He gave up on bronze and decided to work with stone instead, as it was both affordable and durable.
Yet he faced another obstacle: the university didn’t offer a stone sculpture course. Undeterred, he found a tombstone carving company, where he learned how to select and carve stone, as well as how to make his own tools, such as chisels and hammers. Through this experience, he developed a unique technique that gave stone a soft, silky appearance.
He left behind more than 50 stone sculptures here in Yaho—including the reclining bull at Yabo Tenmangu Shrine and the Benzaiten at Nanyoji Temple. You can enjoy his artwork anytime throughout Yaho in Kunitachi City, making the entire town feel like an open-air museum!
