Joy, Healing, and the Pulse of Life—these are the instincts of all living beings, a strong desire to continue living. This universal feeling resonates with us, connecting humans and animals alike.

This photo exhibition, held at Shodoshima Movie Village, is curated by Shintarrow, a photographer known for capturing the essence of rescue cats, who also serves as the head of Haikara-ya. Shintarrow refers to the moments of connection he shares with cats as the “Moment of Truth,” and this exhibition is centered around the theme of the cats’ gaze. He has developed a new technique that combines traditional scrolls with photography, which has been elevated to the art of “Sya-toki” through dialogue with the viewer.

In 2023, Shintarrow held a successful two-month photo exhibition at the Tokyo headquarters of Kyodo News, Japan’s largest news agency, which also attracted TV coverage. His work has also been featured in art magazines such as 365Art+ outside of Japan.

The photos displayed, including those of the village’s symbolic rescue cat, known as “Soncho” (the village chief), are housed within scrolls, quietly conveying the essence of life.

This new expression, born from the fusion of photography and traditional scrolls, offers viewers an experience that goes beyond mere visual beauty, inviting them on a journey of deep introspection. We invite you to take in the messages conveyed by the cats’ gaze in this exhibition and spend a moment reflecting on your own heart.