About Onishi
The town of Onishi (population 5,800) was once an important collection point along the famous Silk Road, and the Shiro Oni Studio's Kinuya building was central to this trade for almost a century. With industrialization, the silk trade moved overseas, while another industry of the town still continues. Onishi quarries red and green gardening stones called ‘Sanbaseki’ after the river they come from, ‘Sanbagawa.’ Onishi means 'Ogre Stone' in Japanese, and the colorful stones are everywhere. In 2015, an artist in residency, Mariko Kuwahara, made a short film interviewing retired stone sellers. Click here to see her film "Blue Stone."
Today, the same geography that once channeled traders through the area cuts Onishi off from the outside world, and Shiro Oni Studio ultimately aims to help reverse this by bringing outgoing, community-minded artists to the area.
“Oh the places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
The town of Onishi (population 5,800) was once an important collection point along the famous Silk Road, and the Shiro Oni Studio's Kinuya building was central to this trade for almost a century. With industrialization, the silk trade moved overseas, while another industry of the town still continues. Onishi quarries red and green gardening stones called ‘Sanbaseki’ after the river they come from, ‘Sanbagawa.’ Onishi means 'Ogre Stone' in Japanese, and the colorful stones are everywhere. In 2015, an artist in residency, Mariko Kuwahara, made a short film interviewing retired stone sellers. Click here to see her film "Blue Stone."
“Oh the places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
