New Mural at Escon Field: Celebrating Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Stars

New Mural at Escon Field Hokkaido

A new mural has been unveiled at Escon Field Hokkaido, showcasing the talents of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters' players, Daiki Ito and Manamu Nakashige. Created by OVER ALLs, a renowned mural art company based in Tokyo, this artwork marks a notable milestone as it is the first to depict active players in the history of the stadium, which has previously celebrated historical legends.

Since its opening in 2023, Escon Field has continued to enhance its artistic appeal, having first introduced murals of baseball legends Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani. The year 2024 will be significant for the Fighters as it marks their 50th anniversary, with the completion of murals celebrating 16 legendary players. However, the latest mural has an added layer of excitement as it captures the vibrant energy of a live baseball game.

Live Paintings: Capturing the Game's Essence

This mural was created as a live painting during a game, responding in real-time to the action on the field. As Daiki Ito pitched and Manamu Nakashige took to the batting box, the mural artist, Yuki Yamamoto, moved his brush to the rhythmic cheers and chants echoing throughout the stadium. This immersive process allowed the artist to encapsulate the spirit of the moment within the mural.

Mural Details

- Size: H9.8m × W4.5m
- Location: Craft Beer Brewing Restaurant “Sora to Shiba” at Escon Field Hokkaido
- Days Taken for Completion: 10 days
- Materials Used: Paint, spray

Artist's Inspiration

Yamamoto expressed his gratitude for the unique opportunity to create artwork intertwined with the electric atmosphere of a live game. Each brush stroke was influenced by the unfolding events on the field, which he described as a collaboration between art and baseball. The movements he made were large and dynamic, allowing energy and fluidity to manifest within the mural, mirroring the athletes’ performance on the field.

He stated, “Drawing long, powerful lines instantly gave a sense of speed and physicality, embodying the vitality of the players. It felt as if I was right there on the field, sharing the energy and atmosphere of the game.” This passion for merging art and sports aims to demonstrate the beauty of dynamic actions and shared experiences in such exhilarating settings.

About OVER ALLs

The project was spearheaded by the president of OVER ALLs, Taketo Akazawa, while the main artist, Yuki Yamamoto, is known for winning the ART BATTLE JAPAN 2018. OVER ALLs continues to transform public spaces into captivating artwork that tells compelling stories. Through extensive research and interviews, they unveil the histories and emotions of the communities and organizations they represent.

Among their notable projects is the mural at Escon Field combining sports and art with the images of Darvish and Ohtani, alongside various community-focused murals like the FUTABA Art District, which reflects the resilience of residents rebuilding from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

For more information on OVER ALLs and their projects, visit their website here or follow them on Instagram at @overalls_art.