Ibis and Iris

In January 2024, the Noto Peninsula was struck by a powerful earthquake. From that darkness arose a prayer for renewal — that light would return, and happiness once again descend upon Noto like a toki, the crested ibis, gliding over the river at dawn. The ibis, symbol of Noto, is rendered with minute dotted engraving filled with urushi lacquer, then colored in gold, platinum, and a touch of red pigment to express grace and life. The kakitsubata iris, whose message is “Happiness will surely come,” blooms beside it in gold, silver alloy, and purple pigment.

The water surface, created through the chinkin technique, combines layers of red and black urushi, burnished into a single glow — a quiet testament to resilience and hope reborn.