Symbolism and white space

HANAKIKYO is a long-established wagashi (Japanese confectionery) brand specializing in the delicate Japanese bean paste sweet, agari yokan. The plan for the new store in Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, began with a vacant lot. The first concept that came to mind was to envelop the space in white plaster, to enhance the subtle image of agari yokan. We minimized the number of openings in the building to create a pure, protective space that is unusual in such an environment. In this blank space, we decided to place a symbolic noren curtain, a traditional symbol of business, with the logo of HANAKIKYO. The proportions of the noren (4250 mm high) are deliberately exaggerated to match the elongated store entrance (6050 mm high x 1800 mm wide) , making a strong impression. Bands of white noren hang from the ceiling, symbolizing the layers of memories held in the brand’s history. Inside the store entrance, water droplets cascade gently over a silver metal form, expressing the ephemeral change of nature. It is a homage to the subtle differences we see each day in somethinguniversal, and to the way we continue to consider wagashi. When we were first asked to design the store, we were told, “Design a wagashi store for ten years from now.” The reason we simplified the entire space with white was to clear away memories of the past and to represent the quiet determination to start from here through the “white space.”