Norton Liang's Reviews Page 6/6

Located in the Shinko Pier No. 1 area of Kobe Port, the Kobe Port Museum is a cultural complex that includes átoa, a space combining an aquarium and digital art. The high-rise building behind it with the famous smiling-face logo is Stage Felissimo, the headquarters of the well-known lifestyle goods brand FELISSIMO.
I. Architectural design features of the Kobe Port Museum
* Biomimicry and geological imagery of “uplifted earth”
* The texture of fractured earth: Rather than the smooth glass curtain walls commonly seen on commercial buildings, the exterior is designed to resemble enormous, rugged layers of concrete rock. Its jagged, V-shaped geometric fractures symbolize faults and rock strata that have been “uplifted” to the surface by crustal movement and tectonic pressure in nature.
* Waterjet Wash method: After pouring the concrete, the architectural team at Taisei Design used high-pressure water to wash away the surface cement, exposing the aggregate made with local soil and stone that was mixed into the concrete from the first floor to the top floor. This gives the building natural textures and a primal vitality, as if it had been eroded by sea winds and formed through layers of geological deposits over thousands of years.
* The interplay of nature, light, and nature
* The open rooftop garden and geometric openings above the building allow sunlight to pour into the interior, blending the harbor scenery, water—the átoa aquarium—and imagery of rocky strata. This gives the cold modern building materials an organic quality, like “breathing rock.”
II. The significance of rebirth after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake
The Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck on January 17, 1995, devastated the port city of Kobe. At the time, Kobe Port’s wharf facilities, foundations, and historic buildings suffered tremendous damage. The construction of this building in the port area carries profound symbolism of “rebirth”:
* Confronting and transforming the trauma of the earth’s crust
* The earthquake is a painful memory caused by movement along faults in the earth’s crust. The Kobe Port Museum openly uses “faults,” “uplifted earth,” and “torn rock strata” as its architectural vocabulary, symbolizing how “the city rises again from the trauma of the earth’s shaking and is reborn from the faults.”
* From devastated ruins to “new life through culture and art”
* The Shinko Pier area of Kobe Port, once severely damaged, was formerly dominated by industrial warehouses and logistics wharves. As part of Kobe Port’s redevelopment plan, this complex bringing together art, marine life at átoa, food, and culture marks the port area’s transformation from its traditional industrial functions and the shadow of the earthquake into a new-era living room filled with creativity, aesthetics, and vitality.
* Resilience through harmonious coexistence between people and nature
* The people of Kobe showed tremendous resilience after facing such a massive natural disaster. The building deliberately gives its concrete surfaces a naturally rugged texture and plants trees and greenery on the rooftop, symbolizing that “even after the earth splits apart, life and greenery can still sprout and flourish again through cracks in solid rock.” It embodies the unyielding spirit of the city of Kobe.

Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park: The damaged wharf has been preserved as it was after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, serving as a historical record and memorial.
Public art and sculptures: Several modern artworks are scattered throughout the park, including the “Fish Dance” sculpture designed by Philip Johnson.
Waterfront walks and coffee: It is very relaxing to stroll along the seawall promenade in the sea breeze or enjoy coffee at the nearby Starbucks.
Nearby facilities
Kobe Harborland: A large nearby commercial district with shopping malls, restaurants, and a Ferris wheel, where you can also shop and dine.

In Tadao Ando's architectural designs, the “spiral” is an important element, especially in the Circular Terrace at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art.
The spiral design of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Circular Terrace/spiral staircase: This is one of the museum's signature features, connecting the underground parking lot, the first-floor entrance hall, the gallery wing, and the second-floor outdoor space.
Spatial experience: This open spiral design is more than just a passageway; it is also an architectural statement. As visitors walk along the stairs, they can experience the rich spatial layers created by light and shadow changing over time and feel the connection between the architecture and the views of the sea and mountains.
Geometry, light, and shadow: Tadao Ando is skilled at using simple geometric forms, such as circles and squares, and exposed concrete, combining them with natural elements such as light, wind, and water to create a unique sense of space. The spiral staircase embodies fluidity and connectivity, blending form and function.
Other notable spiral designs
In addition to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Tadao Ando has also used spiral designs elsewhere:
He Art Museum (Shunde, China): The building is based on stacked circular discs, with a pair of double-helix staircases at its core resembling the structure of DNA. Natural light pours in through the central atrium, creating a sense of sacredness.
Through these spiral designs, Tadao Ando challenges the static geometry of traditional architecture, pursues dynamic balance, and creates rich, multilayered spatial experiences.

The architectural style of Meguro Catholic Church (St. Anselm's Church) is an outstanding example of postwar modernist architecture in Japan, and it was also selected as one of the “250 Selections of Modern Movement Architecture in Japan.” Its defining feature is its revolutionary use of materials and structure:
1. Folded-Plate Construction
This is the church’s most distinctive feature. Architect Antonin Raymond dispensed with traditional beams and columns, instead using nine pairs of exposed-concrete folded plates bent at 45-degree angles to support the roof and walls. This structure not only strengthens the building but also gives the interior a geometric rhythm resembling an accordion.

“The Wings of the Kirin at Nihonbashi” has significance on two main levels: first, the bronze kirin statue standing in the center of Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo; and second, the classic novel and film adaptation of the same name created by renowned Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashino, using this statue as a symbol.

Historical and Cultural Background

1. The starting point of Japan’s roads: During the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu designated Nihonbashi as the starting point of the “Five Routes” (including the Tokaido and Nakasendo). Today, the “Japan National Road Origin Marker” monument still stands at the bridge, symbolizing the starting point of Japan’s entire highway network.
2. Why does the kirin have wings?: The legendary kirin originally had no wings. However, when Nihonbashi was rebuilt as a stone bridge in 1911, the architect and sculptor specially added a pair of wings to the bronze kirin statues in the center of the bridge (strictly speaking, the design combines fins and wings), expressing the prosperous hope of “taking flight from the starting point of Japan’s roads and spreading throughout the country.”

The golden Western deity sculpture above the front main entrance (Lion Entrance) of the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store is a statue of **Mercury (Roman mythology)**, also known as **Hermes** in Greek mythology.
Below is a detailed explanation of its meaning and the background of its designer:
### 1. What does this statue represent?
* **Guardian deity of commerce and wealth:** In mythology, Mercury is the god who presides over **commerce, trade, travel, luck, and wealth**. As one of Japan’s premier temples of commerce, Mitsukoshi Department Store placed him above its main entrance primarily to pray for **“prosperous business” (commercial prosperity and thriving trade)**.
* **Depiction of mythological features:** If you look closely at the statue, you will notice that he has Mercury’s three classic attributes:
1. **Winged hat (Petasos):** He wears a round traveler’s hat with wings on his head.
2. **Winged sandals (Talaria):** The sandals on his ankles have golden wings, representing great speed.
3. **Caduceus:** In his left hand, he holds a winged staff entwined by two snakes, a symbol of commerce and peace.
### 2. Who designed it?
* **Original artist:** **Giovanni da Bologna (also known as Giambologna)**, a master court sculptor of the late Italian Renaissance (Mannerist period).
* **Origin of the statue:** This statue is an **official, finely crafted, full-scale replica** modeled after Bologna’s classic bronze Mercury statue created in **1598**, which is now housed in the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy.
* **Year installed:** In **1923 (Taisho 12)**, when construction and renovation of the Mitsukoshi Main Building was completed, the department store placed this iconic Western god of commerce above the front entrance. Together with the bronze lion statues on either side of the entrance, it became a classic landmark guarding Nihombashi Mitsukoshi.

When visiting Tottori, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a must. Located within the San'in Kaigan Geopark, the dunes stretch 2.4 kilometers from north to south and 16 kilometers from east to west, making them Japan's largest coastal sand dunes.
The beautiful wind patterns formed by the Sea of Japan winds and the dune sand are mesmerizing.
Like a staircase leading to the sky! Takahama Cafe, designed by Kengo Kuma at the Tottori Sand Dunes
Takahama Cafe was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Tottori Sand Dunes Kaikan. The building is angled at 17 degrees and resembles a wooden staircase leading to the sky. It also embodies master architect Kengo Kuma's three concepts of “negative architecture,” “stacking,” and “blending with the environment.” Locally sourced cedar was used and combined with earthquake- and fire-resistant cross-laminated timber (CLT) and reinforced concrete construction.
And from the small hill known as “Horse's Back,” you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Sea of Japan.

A peak example of the "shoin-zukuri" style from the early Edo period in Japan.

The Kano school sliding-door and wall paintings feature extensive gold-leaf landscapes, pine trees, and birds of prey on the interior walls and screens, expressing the authority and power of the Tokugawa family.

The classic view of the five-story pagoda standing alongside traditional wooden houses on the stone-paved slope is amazing. It feels like stepping into a parallel time and landing in the Edo period!
Even though there are always crowds, this is absolutely one of the best spots to soak up Kyoto’s atmosphere.

I loved all the lanterns donated by local Gion shops. The view gets even more charming after they’re lit up at night 🤩
It’s a great place for a slow walk 🚶♀️ and to just soak in the atmosphere.
And it’s right by the Gion shopping street too!

As soon as you arrive at Uji Station 🚉, the whole vibe feels super chill. It’s absolutely paradise for matcha lovers!
Walking along Uji Bridge, it almost feels like the whole city is filled with the aroma of matcha 🍵. It’s kind of amazing!
Byodoin, a World Heritage Site, is packed with visitors.
The architecture is gorgeous, and on a nice day, the reflections in photos look extra dreamy!
The glass-built Hoshokan Museum also has a super Zen atmosphere that makes you want to just relax and zone out.