Home > Highlighting JAPAN > Highlighting Japan OCTOBER 2012 > The Capital's New Symbol: Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Tower, which has been popular among those from Japan and abroad as a symbol of Tokyo ever since it opened in 1958, looms above the heart of Tokyo. And then came Tokyo Skytree, which opened in May of this year in the downtown area of the eastern side of Tokyo. Tokyo Skytree, which is 634 meters high, stands proud as the highest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world. The tower could be considered a new symbol, which was constructed on the strength of technology and tradition cultivated over many years.
What was your inspiration for Tokyo Skytree's lighting design?
Hirohito Totsune: It was based on an image of Mount Fuji in the night sky. By lighting up Tokyo Skytree, I thought that it would be a presence similar to that of Mount Fuji during the day. Ever since the Edo period (1603–1867), people of Edo (former name for Tokyo) have loved Mount Fuji, which is also frequently depicted in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Nowadays, it is more difficult to see Mount Fuji in daily life because there are a lot of buildings. When Mount Fuji comes into view, any person feels fortunate and happy. The top portion of Skytree is lit with white lights based on an image of snow on Mount Fuji. And by casting a light on the main body of Skytree from the top, it appears as if the tower is floating above the earth.
Tokyo Skytree is illuminated on alternating days, based I hear on the themes of iki (the spirit of Edo) and miyabi (the aesthetics of Edo).
When I was working on the lighting design, in terms of words that express Edo, the words "iki," which conveys Edo's forthright spirit, and "miyabi," which signifies Edo's delicate aesthetics, came to mind. I didn't think it was possible to express Edo by using just one of these words, so we planned the lighting show on these themes on alternating days.
Iki is lit in blue, which is based on things like the colors of happi coats worn to festivals and the image of the Sumida-gawa river waterfront. In its Iki light-up phase, a blue light is cast on the shinbashira center column (see below). Miyabi lights up the steel frames on the tower's exterior in Edo purple, which is used in Japanese female attire and kabuki costumes.
Could you elaborate on your thoughts and give us specifics on what it means to have an identity connected to Edo or Tokyo?
In mulling over the lighting for Skytree, I read books and saw pictures on Edo, and they depicted the people of Edo being full of life and happiness. Compared with Kyoto and Osaka in western Japan, Edo was a new city created by a multitude of people who gathered from other regions. The people of Edo created various types of culture by competing with each other or by developing a sense of rivalry with Kyoto or Osaka. Edo had power and speed, but they did not make the city appear unrefined. In fact, Edo was a fashionable town.
LED was not widely used yet back in 2007 when the lighting design was decided. Please tell us the reason behind using LED for Skytree's lighting.
Compared with conventional lighting, it is possible to create extremely beautiful and subtle colors with LED lighting. And in fact, the amount of electricity consumption is 40% lower than conventional lighting.
Using flashing lights and making it appear as if the tower were rotating on the surface of the observation deck, or slowly lighting up the tower from top to bottom over a 20-second period was only possible because LED was used. LED lighting is also used to create a shooting star once every 30 minutes.
A special exhibition on Tokyo, "d design travel TOKYO-47," is being held at d47 MUSEUM from September 1 through October 28. Representative features of the capital are exhibited in six categories: sights, restaurants, shops, cafés, hotels and people. Credit: MASATOSHI SAKAMOTO The d47 MUSEUM located in the commercial complex Shibuya Hikarie in Shibuya, is an art museum that opened in April of this year. The museum is a place where the old and young, men and women can casually visit day after day as it is in a great location that connects directly to a station and is situated in a district that is a source of youth culture. The "d" in d47 MUSEUM stands for design, and "47" stands for the number of prefectures in Japan. Here, a theme is set for each exhibition, which introduces designs and crafts that are representative of the themed area. The unique features of each Japanese region, which have been shaped by their respective cultures over a long period of time, are surprisingly multi-faceted. The museum has a display of items that have been collected from each prefecture and are placed individually on forty-seven tables that measure 90 cm by 90 cm. While still in Tokyo, it is possible to witness a broad view of Japan's diversity by visiting this art museum. The themes selected for exhibitions to date have been on travel, domestic craft beers and accessories. Themes that are being considered are varied, from the Good Design Award and supermarkets to outdoor sports. In addition to exhibitions, there is a plan to hold special exhibitions on a specific prefecture two or three times a year. The art museum also contains the d47 design travel store, where some of the displayed items can be purchased, and the d47 cafeteria, where set meals using seasonal ingredients from all over Japan are offered. It might be possible to find an interesting prefecture by learning, buying and eating food from the forty-seven prefectures in this area. The d47 MUSEUM is also a place that inspires visitors to go on a trip somewhere new. |
© 2009 Cabinet Office, Government of Japan