About Hayato Matsushita
Artist Statement
My journey into Esoteric America began on Halloween Eve, 2001, in my studio at 74 Varick Street in New York City. The nation was still mourning the tragedy of 9/11, and I was disheartened by the growing talk of war. Seeking solace and answers, I turned to my annual ritual: meditating by candlelight with my windows open, inviting any passing spirits to share their messages.
That night, something extraordinary happened. A figure appeared in the darkness—a man in colonial clothing who resembled George Washington. He stood motionless, silent, and then vanished. I wasn’t scared, only curious. Why had George Washington come to my studio in a city that had once been the nation’s first capital?
The following evening, on Halloween night, I felt compelled to research him, hoping to uncover some connection. That’s when I discovered an image of his personal flag from the American Revolution—a deep cobalt blue banner adorned with thirteen white six-pointed stars. I was stunned. I had never seen this flag before, nor learned about it in school. Why wasn’t it widely known? And why did it feature six-pointed stars, so unlike the five-pointed stars on the American flag today?
Intrigued, I printed the image and hung it on my studio wall. For weeks, I stared at it, certain it held a deeper meaning. Gradually, patterns began to emerge. The stars aligned perfectly with the Flower of Life pattern, an ancient geometric design revered in esoteric traditions. Even the six-pointed stars fit seamlessly into this sacred geometry.
Then came my Eureka moment: in the negative space of the flag, I noticed 28 additional stars. This echoed Native American origin stories and the legend of Turtle Island, where a turtle’s shell symbolizes time itself—its 13 hexagonal segments representing the moon’s cycles in a year, and its 28 markings around its edge symbolizing the days in each cycle. Could this flag reflect a merging of Indigenous wisdom with Revolutionary ideals?
This discovery of something so ancient yet laden with profound meaning ignited a passion that has fueled me for over two decades—a quest to decode the hidden visual language of America’s founding.
My work focuses on uncovering the symbolic nature of American cultural imagery—from flags and the Great Seal to U.S. currency, monumental architecture, and the intricately planned layouts of its three capitals: New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
After living and working in New York City for many years, my move to Philadelphia was a natural and necessary step in my journey—one that has brought me closer to the heart of America’s origin story. Immersed in the city’s rich history and Revolutionary spirit, I feel inspired to uncover deeper connections and insights into the ideals and symbols that shaped the nation. This process continues to open new doors of understanding, offering the potential to reimagine how we view our shared history and its relevance today.
In a time of division and unrest, my research and art feel more urgent than ever. By unearthing the hidden meanings in our founding symbols, I hope to remind us of the unifying ideals and aspirations that forged this nation and can guide us forward.
Guided by my motto, “Seek, Discover, and Share your findings,” I strive to inspire others to look deeper, to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to reconnect with the enduring values that define our collective identity.
