Decision to Sponsor "MAFIN 2026," a Contemporary Art Project Set in Miyajima

Gene Co., Ltd., which operates YUGEN Gallery, has decided to sponsor "MAFIN (Miyajima Art Festival in the Narrative)," a contemporary art project set in Miyajima, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

MAFIN is an art project that re-examines Hiroshima's history, culture, and faith through contemporary art, starting from Daishoin Temple, which has a history of over 1200 years. It will launch in 2025, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, aiming to connect the aspirations and prayers for peace to the future through artistic expression.

The second edition, "MAFIN 2026," is scheduled to be held from November 20 (Fri.) to December 13 (Sun.), 2026, at "Miyajima Misen Daishoin" on Itsukushima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture.

About Our Sponsorship of MAFIN

YUGEN Gallery, guided by the spirit of "Yugen," a unique Japanese aesthetic, communicates the profoundness and spirituality of Japanese culture both domestically and internationally through contemporary art. Furthermore, from our bases in Tokyo and Fukuoka, we have collaborated with local artists and cultural resources to disseminate the unique charm of each region.

Miyajima, an island revered as a dwelling place of gods since ancient times and blessed with a rich history and culture, including the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine, deeply resonates with the aesthetic of "Yugen." We deeply sympathize with MAFIN's philosophy of re-examining history and culture from a new perspective through contemporary art and connecting its value to future generations, and have thus decided to sponsor the project.

Moreover, for Hiroaki Hayashida, President and CEO, who hails from Hiroshima Prefecture, this project is a special endeavor that aligns with his roots. His desire to support the challenge of passing down the history, culture, and prayers for peace inherited in his hometown to the future is another significant reason for this sponsorship.

Comment from Hiroaki Hayashida, President and CEO

As someone born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Miyajima has been a special place for me since childhood. I feel great significance in MAFIN's initiative to connect the culture and faith nurtured over a long history, as well as the prayers for peace inherited in Hiroshima, to the future through contemporary art.

Through this sponsorship, I hope that MAFIN's activities will reach more people and help create new cultural value from Miyajima.

Future Initiatives

Our sponsorship of MAFIN marks a new step for our company in expanding our efforts to connect local culture and contemporary art to Hiroshima and Miyajima.

As a sponsoring company, we will support this project and deepen our collaboration with MAFIN. Utilizing the expertise cultivated through gallery management and public relations activities, we will undertake initiatives to convey the charm of this project to a wider audience. Through contemporary art, we aim to broadly communicate the value of Miyajima's history and culture, contributing to the further development of local culture and the creation of new cultural values.

Detailed program and event information for MAFIN will be announced sequentially on its official website. We will also provide further announcements once details are made public.