The Beauty of Lights and Shadows: Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023

Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is hosting an exhibition themed around light, shadows, and the night parade of one hundred demons from Japanese folklore titled Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023: A Richly Colored Pandemonium.

The event is held from July 1 until September 24, and features Japanese lanterns and light fixtures, beautiful art installations of glowing crystals, traditional Japanese umbrellas, flower arrangements, crafts, and art inspired by the demons from Japanese folklore--all combined to create a hauntingly mysterious and spellbound world!

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo and Its Famous Staircase: Hyakudan Kaidan

The Hyakudan Kaidan (literally "the staircase with 100 steps") is a wooden staircase structure within Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. This structure is the only remaining part of Meguro Gajoen, the original building that was turned into a hotel starting from 1935.

Dating back to the early Showa period (1926-1989), the staircase is made of Japanese zelkova wood and has actually only 99 steps. It connects seven rooms that were used as venues for dining events, ceremonies, and entertaining guests. Each room is lavishly decorated with Japanese art corresponding to different periods in history.

The Hyakudan Kaidan staircase and four of the rooms it connects have been designated a tangible cultural property of Tokyo in 2009. It is often used as a venue for events showcasing Japanese culture.

Highlights of Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023

"Wa no Akari" is hosted every year at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo as a series of events dedicated to traditional Japanese light fixtures and the craftsmanship involved in making them. The event features lanterns and light fixtures from various regions in Japan.

What they all have in common is the soft light filtered by Japanese paper and the shadows they project; this gentle glow of Japanese lanterns is referred to as "Wa no Akari" (literally "Japanese lighting").

This year, the event has a greater scale and has incorporated the theme of the "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," a beloved motif from Japanese folklore. It is said that, during summer nights, all kinds of supernatural creatures (also known as "yokai"), come out in a procession on the streets.

This motif has been a popular theme and art and stories from the Edo period (1603-1868).

The "Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023" event captures the chilling and eerily mysterious atmosphere of Japan's demon stories through exhibits featuring art, Japanese lighting, installations, and flower arrangements. Music and scents also play an important part in the event, inviting visitors to immerse in this magical world with all five senses.

There are various types of tickets available, including some that include special souvenirs from the event: online booking site.

Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2023

Venue: Hotel Gajoen Tokyo's Hyakudan Kaidan
Location: Tokyo, Meguro, Shimomeguro, 1-8-1 Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Dates: July 1 - September 24, 2023
Hours: 11:00 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:30) *August 19 until 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Admission: 1,500 yen (regular ticket) *There are various types of tickets available.
Online booking site: https://www.e-tix.jp/100event/en/wanoakari.html

*If you purchase your ticket through TKTS, you'll a free cultural property guidebook. TKTS stores: TKTS Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, TKTS Shibuya, TKTS Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, TKTS Marunouchi Tokyo City.

Official website: https://www.hotelgajoen-tokyo.com/100event/wanoakari2023 (Japanese)

Information and photo source: PR Times

Written by Kate_T