An event titled “Fairy tale in Aquarium ～Mizu to Gensou no Sekai～” produced by artist Asami Kiyokawa will be held at Sumida Aquarium from September 29th to November 19th. Kiyokawa is an embrodiery artist known for using a needle and thread to create designs over photographs. She has released many popular works, including her picture book “Night on the Galactic Road.” Her event is set to turn Sumida Aquarium into a gorgeous world reminiscent of illustrations in a book.
The event will plunge both children and adults alike into a beautiful world of displays themed around poet and author Kenji Miyazawa’s fairy tales, whose rich stories stimulate children’s imaginations. Autumn is an important season in Japanese literature, making this the perfect event to attend as we exit summer.
▶Comment from Asami Kiyokawa
“The interior space will be beautiful and there will be cute living creatures with personalities. You’ll discover something new every time in whichever water tank you look at. I wanted to try expressing as well as see the magical space of nature together with the creative descriptions that Kenji Miyazawa wrote with his words.”
Inside the “Jellyfish Kaleidoscope Tunnel,” the walls slope down the tunnel 50m and the ceiling has around 5,000 mirrors attached to it. There will be projections of jellyfish and the galactic road to simulate the Milky Way as you walk and get sucked into a fantastical world of bright, sparkling lights. The entrance will also be home to an original display of Asami Kiyokawa’s recreation of Kenji Miyazawa’s world in “Yamanashi” that stands almost 7m high.
The tunnel will enable you to experience walking a “Night on the Galactic Road.” Asami Kiyokawa creates the spectacular sights described by Kenji Miyazawa in his stories: a river bed of crystals and topaz, the wind with an apple and rose scent, bright and burning corn on the horizon, and more.
There will also be an original menu at the Penguin Cafe where you can get a “Fairy tale Soda” designed around a jellyfish floating through the bright Milky Way, the “Milky Way Sweets Plate,” and more.
Fall down the rabbit hole of Japan’s beautiful fairy tales and enjoy a fantastic visual story right before your very eyes.
■Information
Sumida Aquarium
Address: Tokyo Skytree Solomachi 5F & 6F, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo
Open: 9:00-21:00
※Entry reception is open until 1 hour before the building’s closing time
※Subject to seasonal changes
Open all year round. *may close temporarily for maintenance and events.
Official Homepage: http://www.sumida-aquarium.com
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