JR East Ueno Station "Spring in 1985, Japan's Flowers at Hometowns"

Stained Glass

Dean of Fine Art Faculty, Tokyo University of the Arts, Architect, Doctor (Engineering)
Kiyoshi Seike
"Departing signal for the 21st century"

At the beginning of Showa era, Yamanote Line of JNR was fully constructed as a circular line, and the underground stations of the subway and Keisei train were newly established, and then the new Ueno station was completed above them.
Excuse me for being personal, but I was a student of the art school in Ueno (currently Tokyo University of the Arts) at that time. Since then a half century has passed, and now Ueno station has a departure time for the 21st century as the starting station of Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to this keynote at Ueno station that has given me favors over the years from a corner of the trees in Ueno.
This large mural decorating this wall is a departure signal for Ueno station toward the 21st century.
As explained in another commentary, Mr. Ikuo Hirayama's painting was changed to be a stained glass in cooperation with Mr. Louis Fransen.
Mr. Hirayama is a master of contemporary Japanese-style painting as everyone knows. Mr. Fransen was a Belgian Father, but until last year he taught students how to make a stained glass as a foreign teacher at Tokyo University of the Arts.
It seems that this traditional Japanese-style painting and this traditional European stained glass encounter symbolize a departure to the 2nd century of Tokyo University of the Arts, which is now at the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Please allow me to give congraturations on it as a resident representative of Ueno, since the stained glass was so good. It is because I think that is the feeling of everyone who has used Ueno station every day or for long years.

Executive Director, Japanese National Railways
Hiroshi Suda
"A symbol of the new Ueno station"

Ueno station opened in 1896, and since then it has been used by many people as a "gateway to the north".
Shinkansen will come to this Ueno station finally. It is a great pleasure for me that a large stained glass will be completed this time to celebrate that and will be a new face of Ueno station.
I think this stained glass, creation of which original painting was asked to Mr. Ikuo Hirayama, will vitalize bright topics about the hometowns as well as attract travelers, since the typical scenery and events along Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines are drawn entitled "Spring in 1985, Japan's Flowers at Hometowns". As a symbol of the new Ueno station, I will cherish it forever.
I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Ikuo Hirayama, who is the original painter and producer, Japan Traffic Culture Association, which is the planner, Modern Mural Arts Institute, which is the manufacturer, and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., which is the sponsor, to make this stained glass.

President, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Toshihiko Yamashita
Ueno station, which has been popular as a gateway to the northern Japan since Meiji era, has finally started a new history as a terminal station of Shinkansen.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude that the stained glass "Spring in 1985, Japan's Flowers at Hometowns" made by Mr. Ikuo Hirayama, a world-class Japanese-style painter, will be presented to celebrate this meaningful event.
This stained glass is a large panorama expressing the beauty of Japan with scenery along the railway line as the subject, I think that it is a work suitable for Ueno station to have new start.
It is becoming more important for future stations to be cultural to give peace of mind to the people who go there and to color scenery of the city as well as to be superior in terms of function.
I wish this unprecedented large stained glass with Japanese flavor will entertain your eyes as a symbol of Ueno station and be familiar with you forever.