The Missing Post Office: An Art Installation on Awashima Island
The Missing Post Office, an art installation on Awashima Island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, collects undeliverable letters. Originally a wooden post office operating from 1964 to 1991, it was transformed by Japanese artist Saya Kubota into an installation for the 2013 Setouchi Triennale. Located in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, the space features 100 metal mailboxes suspended from the ceiling by piano wires that emit sounds of the sea when moved. Letters are addressed to deceased persons, future descendants, first loves, fictional characters, or even objects. Visitors may read or take any letter they believe is meant for them. French filmmaker Clément Lefer created a 9-minute short film, The Missing Post Office, documenting the site and its 91-year-old postmaster Katsuhisa Nakata, who continues to care for the letters. The installation has become so popular that additional collection points opened at Takamatsu Airport and a temporary branch in London. Writer Laura Imai Messina set her novel All the Lost Addresses at this post office.
Key facts
- The Missing Post Office is an art installation on Awashima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan.
- The original post office operated from 1964 to 1991.
- Artist Saya Kubota transformed it for the 2013 Setouchi Triennale.
- The installation contains 100 metal mailboxes suspended by piano wires.
- Letters are addressed to deceased persons, future descendants, first loves, fictional characters, or objects.
- Clément Lefer directed a 9-minute short film about the post office.
- Katsuhisa Nakata, aged 91, is the postmaster who maintains the site.
- Additional collection points opened at Takamatsu Airport and a temporary branch in London.
Entities
Artists
- Saya Kubota
- Clément Lefer
- Katsuhisa Nakata
- Laura Imai Messina
Institutions
- Setouchi Triennale
- Artribune
Locations
- Awashima Island
- Seto Inland Sea
- Mitoyo
- Kagawa Prefecture
- Japan
- Takamatsu Airport
- London