An exhibition of photographs, pottery and woodwork made by participants in an nonprofit organization, Eco Link Association, with a view to increasing public awareness of environmental issues will be held Sept. 1-9 at Session House Garden in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku Ward.

Wood-fired pottery by Teruo Maeno and Mitsugu Hayashi

The Eco Link Association was founded in February by potters, architects, designers, construction workers and others who felt the need to protect the environment in Kawanabe-cho, a town in the southernmost part of Kagoshima.

The townsfolk in that part of Kyushu face the twin problems of environmental pollution and depopulation, but their aim is to revitalize Kawanabe-cho and its surrounding areas.

Their activities are various; one is making pottery using anagama, a wood-burning kiln once common in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1615), obtaining timber from a waste processing company. They also make woodcraft out of lumber that is usually discarded, using the traditional techniques of Kawanabe-cho. As well as these artistic activities, the group has constructed solar- and wind-power plants.

The Eco Link Association's goal is to create an environment-friendly atmosphere, with humans living in symbiosis with nature. They decided to hold this exhibition to deepen public awareness not in just Kawanabe-cho but also in Tokyo.

The 40 photographs on display, taken by Itsuo Mitsui and Tatsuro Kodama, date back some 20 years. They have captured the nostalgic scenery of the town, with horses pulling heavy lumber and children playing in fields and schoolyards.

The pottery created by Teruo Maeno and Mitsugu Hayashi totals over 400 pieces, all of which are fired in anagama. Sadami Ozono designed and created 10 pieces -- wooden tables, desks and chairs -- out of waste construction materials, with the hope that elementary schools will one day use such furniture instead of the steel used at present.

This will be a good chance for viewers to take a closer look at the environment and think about how we can coexist with nature.