Official Film Released for “KIWA” – The Tea Room of Light at NIWA, Kyoto Station Building

[Top row from left:] Masatake Wakana (President, Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd.), Seiji Kawajiri (Donor of “KIWA”), Ryotaro Muramatsu (Creator of “KIWA”), Koji Matsui (Mayor of Kyoto), Masao Yokoi (Cultural Strategy Officer and Policy Divisi

About “Tea Ceremony of Tradition and Innovation” Presented by Seiji Kawajiri

[From left:] Takatoshi Nishiwaki (Governor of Kyoto), Seiji Kawajiri, Koji Matsui (Mayor of Kyoto)

TOKYO, SHIBUYA-KU, JAPAN, May 19, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- “Tea Ceremony of Tradition and Innovation” Held by Seiji Kawajiri, Donor of the Artwork

Seiji Kawajiri, founder of the public interest incorporated foundation KAWAJIRI FOUNDATION, is pleased to announce the release of the official film of “KIWA”, the Tea Room of Light he donated to the City of Kyoto. This innovative installation was created by the creative company NAKED, INC., renowned for their immersive art, and is housed within “NIWA,” the newly opened cultural space on the 7th floor East Plaza of Kyoto Station Building.

https://youtu.be/IYVWjjEcwcw

・About “KIWA” and “NIWA”
“KIWA” and “NIWA,” are art spaces created in collaboration with the Urasenke school of tea, Ikenobo school of ikebana, Sogetsu school of ikebana, and the renowned Kyoto landscape studio Ueji. In "KIWA," the host's tea-serving gestures are rendered into trails of light, visually expressing the deep spirit of hospitality and aesthetics that Japan has long cherished. As Kawajiri states, "The essence of Japanese sensibility, spatial rhythm, and hospitality is made visible and elevated into art."

・About “Tea Ceremony of Tradition and Innovation” Presented by Seiji Kawajiri
On March 3, 2025, the tea ceremony “Tea Ceremony of Tradition and Innovation presented by Seiji Kawajiri” was held to unveil “KIWA”. Attendees included Mayor Koji Matsui of Kyoto, President Masatake Wakana of Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd., and Masao Yokoi from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The ceremony featured a special tea preparation by Sokyu Nara of Urasenke Konnichian, offering an immersive cultural experience.

Later that day, Kawajiri also gave remarks at the opening ceremony for “KIWA”.

＜Message from Seiji Kawajiri＞
“I have had the privilege of working around the world, yet Kyoto has always held a special place in my heart. Here, tradition is part of everyday life, sustained by the passion of those who preserve and pass it on. With deep respect for Japanese culture, I hoped to contribute something meaningful to Kyoto—and through a special connection, this project was made possible.

When Mr. Muramatsu first shared his vision for the Tea Room of Light, I was deeply moved. It was not merely a display of light, but a space where the host's movements—rooted in the spirit of tea—become trails of light, transformed into art. These movements embody Japan's refined sense of beauty, timing, and hospitality. To see them expressed through light and sound in such a delicate and elegant way was profoundly meaningful.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Urasenke, Ikenobo, Sogetsu, and Ueji, whose contributions made 'KIWA' and 'NIWA' possible.”

About Seiji Kawajiri
Founder of the KAWAJIRI FOUNDATION, a public interest incorporated association, which offers scholarships to support university students who excel academically but have difficulty affording tuition. Kawajiri also supports the DANDELION PROJECT, an art initiative that connects locations and people around world, and has contributed to the establishment of THE GALLERY HARAJUKU. As an active new-generation gallerist, he supports artists who are leading the latest trends in the arts and culture. Guided by the principle of “making the world a better place,” he is active in the fields such as education, arts & culture, food, and more. Written works include the book “GLOBAL CITIZEN: 7 Rules to Fulfill Your Dreams in Your Own Global-Scale Standards.”

Seiji Kawajiri Official Website: https://www.kawajiriseiji.com/

Recent Activities of Seiji Kawajiri (Japanese Only)
Premiered the global participatory art piece “DANDELION PROJECT” at the UAE's most prestigious international art festival.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000133148.html

In 2023, the global participatory art “DANDELION PROJECT” is actively expanding with installations in 15 locations worldwide.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000133148.html

Global-scale participatory art initiative DANDELION PROJECT to be exhibited at Japanese national treasure Hikone Castle - Installation on display during the nighttime event "NAKED Hikone Festival 2024: Sakura" from March 22 through March 31, 2024.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000005.000133148.html

Supporting the “NAKED Sakura Festival 2024 at World Heritage Site Nijo Castle“ as a next-generation gallerist.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000006.000133148.html

Global “Edible Art Experience” course, supported by Seiji Kawajiri, reimagined and relaunched.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000133148.html

First book by next-generation gallerist Seiji Kawajiri to be published by Fusosha on Wednesday, March 27.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000008.000133148.html

DANDELION PROJECT Art Exhibition at the World Heritage Site Enryakuji, Connecting the World with Prayers for Peace
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000012.000133148.html

Participatory Art “DANDELION PROJECT” on Display at Natadera Temple, Praying for the Reconstruction of Noto
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000013.000133148.html

“DANDELION PROJECT” on Display at Hieizan Sakamoto and Hiyoshi Taisha, Supported by Seiji Kawajiri
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000015.000133148.html

Seiji Kawajiri, founder of KAWAJIRI FOUNDATION and new generation gallerist, pays a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Kyoto City.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000016.000133148.html

Fusion of History and Art: Seiji Kawajiri Supports Premium Autumn Dining Experience at Nijo-jo Castle
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000133148.html

Seiji Kawajiri, Founder of the KAWAJIRI FOUNDATION and Next-Generation Gallerist, Supported “NAKED's Garden of Japanese Lights at Heian Jingu Shrine” A Special Winter Event Illuminating Kyoto with Enchanting Digital Art Held at Heian Jingu Shrine's East and Middle Gardens Until January 13, 2025
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000018.000133148.html

Seiji Kawajiri Donates Public Art to Kyoto Station’s East Plaza, Creating a “Garden” to Experience Kyoto Light Tea Room “KIWA” to Open in “NIWA”, a New Establishment Launching in March 2025
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000019.000133148.html

KAWAJIRI FOUNDATION Opens 2025 Scholarship Program – Nurturing Future Social Contributors
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000020.000133148.html

Installation and Restaurant Information: Tea Room of Light “KIWA” and “NIWA”
Title: Tea Room of Light “KIWA”
* “KIWA” is a permanent installation located inside the restaurant “NIWA.” Guests dining at “NIWA” during regular business hours are welcome to experience “KIWA.”
Address：Kyoto Station Building, 7th Floor, East Square
(〒600-8216 901 Higashi-Shiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan)
Business Hours：11:00～23:00（L.O. 22:30）
Closed：Irregular closing days
Official site：https://niwa.naked.works/kyoto/
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/niwa_kyoto/

Public Relations Office
SK FINANCIAL GROUP HOLDINGS
email us here

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.