Zenbird Editorial TeamCultural tourism facility ATAKA TERRACE in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, has installed a new monument titled the Mirror of Kanjincho in its outdoor area. The monument acts as a symbol for the region’s rich historical narrative and its natural landscape.
The Mirror of Kanjincho is a mirror-finished installation designed in the shape of a traditional scroll. It is inspired by the famous Kabuki play Kanjincho and the Noh play Ataka, both of which are set at the historic Ataka-no-seki barrier. Depending on the viewer’s position and the angle of photography, the monument reflects the Sea of Japan, the horizon, the sky, and the surrounding pine forests. This interactive design allows visitors to capture the shifting beauty of the coastal environment while becoming part of the scenery themselves.
The unique monument is born from the high level of regional craftsmanship found in Ishikawa. Maki Yokoyama, a Komatsu-based designer known for creating the city’s official character Kabukky, handled the planning and design. Yokoyama conceptualised the monument as a modern interpretation of the blank scroll used by the character Benkei in the Kanjincho story.
Daiei Co., Ltd., a precision sheet metal processing firm established in 1948 in Komatsu, handled the manufacturing. The company used its expertise in thin-plate metalwork and long-length bending to create the monument’s distinctive curved form. The mirror finish requires significant technical skill to ensure a clear reflection that withstands the harsh coastal environment.
The rear of the monument features inscriptions detailing the story of Kanjincho, where Benkei protects his lord Yoshitsune by reciting from a blank scroll. It also provides information regarding the position of the sunset over the Sea of Japan throughout the seasons. The mirror now functions as a new focal point for regional revitalisation.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
