The aesthetic feeling of Japan vividly colors
the gateway to the new Tokyo waterfront subcenter
Stained glass consists 3 faces like Folding screen,
drawing by ‘Modern Rimpa’ Mr. Hiramatsu Reiji
The unveiling ceremony of the stained glass’s public art has been held on Monday 4th march at the terminal of Shinbashi Station of Yurikamome, new transit service of Tokyo.
The Yurikamome crosses the Rainbow Bridge and passes through Odaiba, linking 16 stations in its 15km run. It runs on an elevated path and offers great views. There are no drivers or conductors on the train and the path is exclusively used by the Yurikamome’ carriages, so there are no crossings, no traffic jams, and no likelihood of accidents involving bicycles or pedestrians.
Newly installed public art is located in the corner of the elevator and stairs of platform proceed to ticket gate, and it is consisted of 3 faces like folding screen. Original painting was drawn by Mr. Hiramatsu Reiji, Japanese-style painter, and Atelier of Creare Atami-Yugawara completed it to the stained glass.
The title of art is “Four Seasons of Tokyo Bay”. It shows cherry blossom of spring, sea of summer with Mount Fuji, red leaves of autumn, and a black-headed gull fly in the sky of summer.
Mr. Hiramatsu inherits one of traditional Japanese-style painting school called ‘Rimpa’ which express Japanese nature’s feelings and sense of beauty with innovative, deformative and decorative way. ‘Rimpa’ also gave very strong impact to the European artists that created a culture trend called Japonism in the end of 19 century. In this context, Mr. Hiramatsu is called ‘Modern Rimpa’ and the stained glass version of his drawing will surely attract people who use Yurikamome.
After the unveiling ceremony, Mr. Hiramatsu expessed gratitude to all who were involved in this project, said that he is very honor as artist that his artwork is installed here in Shinbashi Station and be very happy if people find the charm of Japanese-style painting.
The Japan Traffic Culture Association has installed public art all over Japan under our motto ‘Public places are to be fertile places for people.’ This, our 530th public art installation, was made possible through subsidies as a CSR and PR project by the Japan Lottery Association.
