Kiko Mizuhara · 水原希子 ｜ IG更新

I feel truly honored to have been part of this very special project — the creation of Ocean Gaia, an underwater sculpture by Jason Decaires Taylor @jasondecairestaylor , now resting in the beautiful ocean of my beloved Tokunoshima 🌊🤍

This project has been in the making for nearly two years. So many hearts, hands, and hopes came together to bring this vision to life.

The sculpture lies gently on the seabed, just a short distance from the shore, at a depth of 5 meters.
It was created in the image of my calm expression, standing 2 meters tall, 5.5 meters wide, and weighing 45 tons — the very first large-scale underwater sculpture ever installed in Japan.

As part of the coral reef, the piece features openings that allow fish and other marine life to move freely in and out, making it not only a work of art but also a new home for the ocean’s ecosystem.
Its soft, swirling form was inspired by the intricate sand patterns created by Amami Hoshizara puffer fish🐡, as well as the gentle curves of the island’s mountain range.

Tokunoshima is known for its longevity, vibrant birth rate, and deep connection to nature.
The mountain ridge at the island’s center resembles the silhouette of a pregnant woman — a symbol of life itself. Ocean Gaia was born from the Gaia myth, embodying the bond between people and the sea, and celebrating the cycle of life 🌿

As more young people leave the island for the cities, my hope is that this piece will spark a renewed connection to the ocean, nature, and culture for the next generation. And maybe, it will inspire more people to fall in love with the sea and look more closely at the natural world around us ❤️

Being underwater and seeing Ocean Gaia for the first time as it began to breathe with the ocean was unforgettable — a truly special birthday memory I’ll carry with me forever.

I can’t wait to watch how this sculpture slowly becomes part of the reef, a home for coral and marine life, and how its story will be woven into the ocean over time 🌊✨

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in Tokunoshima.