EXPERIENCE

The art that covers the walls of the lounge of “Agora Kyoto Shijo”, deep red and impactful, is “Kiritsumugi”, a lacquer work by Higashibata Yui, a lacquer artist from Kyoto.

Red lacquer was applied to the base of each paulownia board interwoven together. Paulownia is a material that has been prized since the olden days for boxes and chests because it breathes and does not store moisture. This work makes use of the natural warp that is created when the material is woven flat with a base applied. A work with beautiful delicate irregularities created by taking advantage of the natural characteristics of the material and the shade of lacquer. Weaving is a verb originally used with threads/fabric or words, but by weaving these paulownia boards, it creates a work that expresses the city, history, and feelings of Kyoto.