Japanese artist Junkyu Muto has created many sculptures in his studio located in Pietrasanta, Italy in the past. Among them, a series of peace sculptures titled “Circle Wind” are the most representative works in his career.

What made him the internationally renowned Japanese artist was the great achievement that his sculpture “Circle Wind” won the award of International Grand Prize “Versilia” in the competitive exhibition conducted in 1997, in Pietrasanta, Italy.

Pietrasanta is known as a town of sculpture because of its high quality marble stone appreciated and used by many famous artists. The world famous artist, Michelangelo, used to live there, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi also loved the town because of the beautiful marbles produced in the town. At present more than 300 world famous sculptors own their studio there, e.g. Fernando Botero, Igor Mitraj, Kan Yasuda.

Versilia competition is the most honorable one among worldwide artists. Botero, Mitraj, Pomodoro and Kan Yasuda had a honor to win the Grand Prize Versilia in the past.

Junkyu became the greatest artist worldwide when his sculpture “Circle Wind”, the Versilia Grand Prize awarded sculpture, was accepted as a dedicated gift to the Pope and as the first abstract sculpture installed in the Papal summer imperial villa located in Castelgandolfo, Italy. It was installed in an open space in front of the heliport of the villa.

Later in 2006, another peace sculpture titled “Circle Wind 2005” was permanently installed in the Mahabodhi Temple, a world heritage in Budha Gaya India. It was installed as a monument with a prayer for world peace.

In 2008, in America, as a joint project between the Department of Interior and National Park Service (NPS) with the cooperation of Native American tribes, Junkyu’s sculpture “Circle Wind 2008” was also donated and permanently installed in the new Tribal Connections site at Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming. The Devils Tower is the first sacred site of Native American tribes projected by NPS.

Other than the above achievements, “Circle Wind 2001” is placed at the Sendai International Center – Sendai is where Junkyu comes from. “Circle Wind 2003” is also installed at the Center as a monument commemorating his award winning of Grand Prize in Pietrasanta, Italy.

As written above he has been dedicating his sculptures all over the world as a gesture of international good will for world peace. Kazenowa Corporation (intermediate corporation) was officially established in 2006 to support the project for fund-raising and for people’s help so that Junkyu can keep the contribution to fulfill his wish of giving a message of “World Peace” through the installation of his sculpture “Circle Wind” in many other places. The establishment of this corporation was realized with many people who have been supporting his works and achievements so far. Kazenowa Corporation helps and support Junkyu for creating sculptures, funding for his dedication of his peace sculpture “Circle Wind” to the significant sites around the world, for negotiating with the government of foreign countries to dedicate and install his works.