Tuesday, April 19, 2022
On Monday, April 18th, a bronze statue of a woman (1957, Showa 32) by Nitta Minoru, owned by Mr. Sugio Noboru, a native of Hokuryu Town, was donated and installed in the lobby of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen.
- 1 At the lobby of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
- 2 "Portrait of a Woman" by Minoru Nitta, 1957
- 3 Mr. Noboru Sugio, a native of Hokuryu Town
- 4 Commemorative photo
- 5 Donation Catalog "Portrait of a Woman"
- 6 Mr. Kozo Igarashi
- 7 Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
- 8 Other photos
- 9 Reference sites
- 10 Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
At the lobby of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
"Portrait of a Woman" by Minoru Nitta, 1957
From the right
From the left
Mr. Minoru Nitta
Sculptor Born in Miyagi Prefecture in 1909 (Meiji 42). After graduating from Asahikawa Normal School, he studied at Tokyo School of Fine Arts. His works have been exhibited at the Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibition and the Japan International Art Exhibition. He has deep ties with Asahikawa City, and many of his works are on display in the city. (Source: Hokkaido Art Network Annex）
Some of Nitta's works on display in Hokkaido
- "Statue of Youth" in front of City Hall, Asahikawa City
- "Mother and Child Statue" in front of the town hall, Takasu Town
- "Bust of Noboru Hirose" Outdoors, Toyako Town
- "Son's monument relief" Toyako Town Toyako Village General Center, Toyako Town
- "Steps to the Future" Asahikawa Airport and Higashikagura Town
- "Portrait of a Woman" owned by Noboru Sugio → Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen, Hokuryu Town
（Source: Hokkaido Digital Sculpture Museum）
Mr. Noboru Sugio, a native of Hokuryu Town
Below is a summary of the interviews and various information found online. Sources of information will be listed at the end.
A friendship spanning 70 years with Ryoji Kikura
The donor, Noboru Sugio (87 years old), is from Mitani, Hokuryu Town. His father, Masao Sugio, was a farmer in Hokuryu Town and served as an officer of the Hokuryu Town Agricultural Cooperative. The family later moved to Asahikawa City.
Noboru Sugio was a senior at Hokuryu High School of Ryoji Kikura (former representative director and chairman of JA Kitasorachi) from Hokuryu Town. Kikura was always loved by Sugio, and he provided him with warm guidance and support in his work with the agricultural cooperative, and they still maintain a close relationship today.
The late Mayor of Asahikawa, Kozo Igarashi, donated the "Statue of a Woman" to the museum.
While working at Asahikawa City Hall, Sugio Noboru served as secretary to the late Asahikawa Mayor Kozo Igarashi. He retired at the age of 37 and took over the public bath that his father had opened in 1957 (Showa 32). After rebuilding, he opened the public bath and sauna facility "Asahi Kosenyu Hachijo Pleasure." While serving as president of the public bath, he also served as chairman of the Asahikawa Bathhouse Association and chairman of the Hachijo Starfin Street Association.
The bronze statue "Statue of a Woman" was a farewell gift from then Asahikawa Mayor Kozo Igarashi to Sugio Noboru when he retired from his position as Chief Secretary. Mayor Igarashi personally commissioned the bronze statue to be made by sculptor Minoru Nitta (who passed away in 1989), and it was displayed in his home.
Statue of a Woman: Asahi Kosenyu From Hachijo Pleasure to Hokuryu Onsen
When the bathhouse opened, Sugio aimed to create a bathhouse inspired by sculpture, and installed a bronze statue inside the building. Nitta Minoru's "Statue of a Woman" was placed at the entrance to the bathroom. The bathhouse was popular, but the recent trend of people moving away from bathhouses, and the COVID-19 pandemic made things even worse, and at the end of August 2020 (Reiwa 2), the bathhouse "Asahi Kosenyu Hachijo Pleasure" closed its doors after 65 years in business.
When Sugio closed down Asahi Kosenyu Hachijo Pleasure, he spoke to his family about donating the bronze statue to Hokuryu Town, and they gladly agreed. He conveyed his intention to donate to Mayor Sano, and the statue has now been installed in the lobby of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen.
Commemorative photo
Mayor Yutaka Sano of Hokuryu Town and Ryoji Kikura
Mayor Yutaka Sano, Manager of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen Tetsuya Takahata
Donation Catalog "Portrait of a Woman"
Mr. Kozo Igarashi
Born in Asahikawa in 1926 (Showa 1), he passed away in 2013 (Heisei 25) at the age of 87. He was elected mayor of Asahikawa at the age of 37. During his three terms as mayor, spanning 12 years, he opened Heiwadori Shopping Park (1972) and Asahikawa Zoo (1967).
In national politics, he was elected to the House of Representatives in the general election in 1980 (Showa 55). In 1993 (Heisei 5), he became Minister of Construction in the Hosokawa Cabinet. In 1994 (Heisei 6), he became Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Murayama Cabinet. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, First Class, and became an honorary citizen of Asahikawa City. (Source: Wikipedia）
Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
Located in front of the bathroom entrance
Rest area
Entrance to Himeyu and Tonoyu
Exhibition at the hot spring entrance
Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen - Exterior
The bronze statue "Statue of a Woman" embodies Sugio's passionate feelings for his hometown, Hokuryu Town, and is filled with limitless love, gratitude, and prayers.
Other photos
Reference sites
▶ Article about Hachijo Pleasure Asahi Hot Springs opening >>
▶ "Asahi Mineral Springs and Hachijo Pleasure" article >>
◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
163-2 Itaya, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: 0164-34-3321
[Hot spring opening hours]
・Daytime bathing: 9:30-22:00
・Bathing for overnight guests: 6:00-9:00, 9:30-22:30
・Early morning bath: 6:00-8:00 (end of April to end of October)
[Closed] Only during facility maintenance periods
[Parking] Roadside Station Sunflower Hokuryu
[Homepage]Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
[Hokuryu Town Portal Introduction Page]Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
