cyberNamunamu | TechBiz by DCAJ

Contact Person：Madoka Kohno
Position：Leader
Bio：
I was born in Hiroshima and have been living with ADHD, which made life challenging. One day, I came across a video on YouTube of a Techno Hoyo by Gyosen Asakura at Shoonji Temple in Fukui Prefecture. I was deeply captivated by the video, and as I watched and listened to it hundreds of times each day, my depression began to lift. Whether it was the chanting, the music, or the visuals that made the difference, I felt a noticeable easing of the difficulties I had been facing. With deep gratitude for this experience, I decided to start cyberNamunamu to give back to the next generation.

Favorite things: Oniyanma Udon, The Amitabha(cyberNamunamu), Okinawa-Kenpo Karate-Do Sutra

– Buddha Statue Appears in the skyscrapers of Shibuya and Shinjuku in PLATEAU

PLATEAU is a project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to develop a “3D city model” that reproduces real-world cities in cyberspace. In the performance of cyberNamunamu, various Buddha images appear in Shibuya and Shinjuku in cyberspace, accompanied by fast-paced techno music. Listening to the music carefully, you would realize that it is a sutra called “Buddha’s Amida Sutra,” and the performer who chants the sutra along with the video is a real Buddhist monk. cyberNamuamu drew attention for this innovative experiment, which was presented at “Nico nico Chokaigi*” in 2023.

*Nico Nico Chokaigi is an annual big event of Nico nico Douga, a famous Japanese video sharing website.

– cyberNamunamu is able to be used at funerals

Buddhism is one of the world’s three major religions that have permeated the world. Although “Buddhism” should be familiar to people, not many people understand it properly. As mentioned in his profile, Mr. Kohno, who has experienced the wonder of Buddhism through his own personal experiences, is attempting to fuse technology art and Buddhist art in order to make Buddhism more accessible to people. The music of “cyberNamunamu” is based on Buddhist sutras, and can be played at funerals and other occasions in Japan. The performance works are also based on the content of the sutras, and are designed to convey the teachings of Buddhism to those of us living in the modern age. The ability to participate in a performance (Buddhist memorial service) anywhere, whether in real life or on the Internet, is a method of expression unique to the modern age.

In addition to “Nico Nico Douga,” he has given performances and workshops at historical temples such as Tsukiji Honganji in Tokyo, Renko-ji in Shimane, and Zenshoji in Hiroshima. (He has also performed at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, SIGGRAPH Asia, and tunnel TOKYO, among others.) Because it is based on actual Buddhist teachings and the performers are real Buddhist monks, it can be performed in both traditional temples and modern art events to move people. That is the cyberNamunamu’s uniqueness.

– Bringing Buddhist Art x Technology Art to the World

Buddhism and art have no borders, and he performed in various countries to let people around the world know about cyberNamnamu. In September 2024, he joined in Techno Hoyo Asakura’s U.S. tour, holding events at temples around the United States.

In addition, as part of the TechBiz project, he will participate in SIGGRAPH Asia, one of the largest CG and interactive technology events in Asia, and SXSW, a music, film, and interactive event held in Austin, Texas, USA. They will provide people around the world with the opportunity to experience “Buddhist art x technology art” and offer salvation and peace of mind through its performances.