： Yin and Yang

The theme of this piece is "Yin and Yang"

This time, the object is a classical Japanese folding screen which was created with the idea of it acting as a moveable wall which will effect any space into which it is placed.
The body of the folding screen itself was produced at the Kataoka Byobu store, which was founded in 1946 and located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
The folding screen I requested was 280 cm high and it seems they have never made another one quite like this in their history.

I would like to thank them very much for their efforts in this production and I am much obliged for their collaboration.
One side of a folding screen is known as one "screen" and the left and right set together is called one "pair".
The shape I created this time has 6 sides and 2 separate frames, so they are known in the profession as 6 "screen" and 1 "pair".

On the front side of the screens we used a handmade Japanese "washi" paper made in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan which has a texture similar to a clay wall. The color was unevenly finished so that color irregularities and unevenness would appear.
The upper and lower gold parts are colored by applying lacquer to brass foil so that yin and yang can be so expressed.
The rear of the screen is decorated with a ramie fabric which is dyed so as to resemble the high-quality plain-woven hemp cloth which its produced on the Noto peninsula of Japan.
This fabric is pasted on the entire back side using a natural konjac paste.

To fit the theme of Yin and Yang i separated the screen into two sides : left and right.
The idea of this piece is that it will affect the space by letting you experience the shape of the towering folding screen and the texture of Japanese paper.
If you go closer, the size will seem larger, so you will begin to feel like you are in the presence of a clay wall.

This work evokes a lot of personal feelings in me as I remember the experience of difficulty and fun I had in making such a large work.
The piece was first exhibited in Japan at Gallery SUGATA in Kyoto.
The space has a high ceiling so that the 280 cm folding screen can easily be placed in it. I personally gained a lot of good experience from this exhibition.
It was especially memorable as it created a visual fusion with the well-maintained garden in a space which is a cultural property unique to Kyoto.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Araki, the president and his staff Mr. Imamura and Mr. Suzuki.
At Zenkaashoin, which is connected to the gallery, you can also enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and some western confectionery together.

What was particularly surprising was that Mrs. Araki, the president, designed all the product packaging for it as well as the walls of the building and everything was very beautiful.
I learned a lot from the experience of their attentive hospitality as well as the sophistication of the products.
It was a wonderful memory that I am sure I will not be able to experience again anywhere else in the world in the future.

After reading this I hope that you will go visit Zenkashoin and Gallery SUGATA when you next go to Kyoto and please experience what I am talking about.
[ https://www.su-ga-ta.jp ]

Created: 2018
First Exhibited: Gallery SUGATA Kyoto
Material: Japanese paper, lacquer, ramie, wood, brass foil
SIZE: 280cm×80cm×6pcs×2pcs（6 "screen" and 1 "pair": 6 sides x 2）