“WOVEN NARRATIVES”

- Kyoto, the landscape of Four Symbols -

The space is composed of textiles, which convey the Four Symbols and changing landscape, and the installations which depict Kyoto’s landscape (rivers, roads, ponds, and mountains).

Four Symbols

The city’s four directions are guarded by the Four Symbols.
They have guarded Kyoto’s regions (river, road, pond, and mountain) from the east, west, south and north since ancient times, and are said to keep ill luck away and help make things flow smoothly.
This exhibition features designs from Kawashima Selkon Textiles’ design archives dating back to the 1930s, as well as four traditional hand-weaving techniques, including “mon-ori” and “hikihaku”, which are commonly used for kimono obis, “tsuzure-ori”, which is used for rugs and festival floats, and “mon-birodo”, which was used for the interior at Akasaka Palace. All four techniques were used to revive the four divine guardians of Kyoto in this exhibition.

Landscapes / Gradation

The mountains, ponds, rivers, and roads of Kyoto, where the four deities are said to reside, are depicted on the textile in their respective colors and shapes, as well as in designs and related traditional patterns that were inspired by the historical background.
The diverse expressions of the landscapes are expressed through machine-weaving techniques that weave in gradations and iridescent films.

SEIRYU - East

Kamogawa River

The Kamogawa River, where Yuzen-nagashi (traditional Japanese dyeing) was once practiced, has long been treasured as a summertime relaxation spot, particularly by the Noryo-yuka (a raised platform on the bank of a river to enjoy the cool air). The river’s blue, which has long been the base of local life, is depicted in gradation, with a “seigaiha” pattern, a wave-like design.

BYAKKO - West

Sanyo Road

The Sanyo road, which linked city to city, has long been utilized to move goods and information. The road’s brown layer is portrayed by gradation with a “shima” pattern, a striped design that resembles its paths.

SUZAKU - South

Ogura Pond

Since ancient times, Ogura pond has been known for its lotus viewing. The lotus flower’s pink color is portrayed by gradation with a “amime” pattern, a net-like design to represent the booming fishing industry of that time.

GENBU - North

Funaoka Mountain

Mt. Funaoka has an abundance of tree species with very few naturalized plants. Its green variety is portrayed by gradation, with a “yamajimon” pattern, a design that resembles the mountain paths.

Landscapes / Form

Inspired by their colors, shapes, and historical background, the design patterns of Kyoto's rivers, roads, ponds, and mountains were created and blended into the form of each object.

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