When we go upstairs to the second floor, a bright color picture spreads over the wall in front of us. Mr. Kyle Holbrook of the mural painter. It is an artist who creates mural painting every year while traveling all over the world.
For the purpose of appealing messages such as peace through art, when he first came to Japan at the end of September, he created mural paintings because he liked the atmosphere of this hostel. He drew it for 4 days. It is said to be the first work in Asia.
Looking at the work, "Peace Mark" is drawn with the American Indian with a gentle expression and the brave armor Samurai holding a sword in both hands. Mr. Holbrook said, "Theme is Peace, people of different cultures are drawn mainly by peace marks, Samurai protects Japan's great culture and soul, and the Indians see the original peaceful American figure.
Furthermore, on the mural paintings, symbol marks representing children holding hands are drawn. Mr. Holbrook's purpose of this trip is to want to deliver a message of peace through the way the children hold hands. It is said that next to Japan will be around two months mainly in Asia such as Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, India.
Mr. Holbrook's hometown is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. It came to appeal peace in art as a result of a case where friends were murdered by Mafia at the time of the second grade of high school. From the desire to leave a message for children, even in environments where people are killed, he began to tackle activities such as drawing murals requesting opposition to violence.
He also plan a project to select 100 young people who are interested in art each year from low income people and areas with many violent crimes and participate in mural painting production. Companies and banks are sponsored, and in the summer they work 25 hours a week for 5 weeks to receive wages. “The young people can show their work done to family and friends, and it will lead to raising self-esteem”he says.
Mr. Holbrook who says "art is a universal language" said, "When I come to Japan this time, I want to draw children together."



Ishii Takahide
Sekai Nippo
Worldtimes.co.jp