The Japan Traffic Culture Association (hereinafter referred to as "Japan Traffic Culture Association"), a public interest incorporated foundation, has received support from Seiko Group Corporation and the Metro Cultural Foundation, and in cooperation with Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., has produced a large ceramic relief with original drawings and supervision by world-renowned manga artist Otomo Katsuhiro. It will be installed near Exit B1 of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and will be open to the public from Monday, December 15, 2025.
Processing Spin
The title of the work is "Procession Spin." Existing artworks and structures, spiritual forms, and futuristic, creative expressions are densely arranged in a large wave. The work and its title express the continuity of the various art forms that humans have created since the Jomon period, continuing uninterruptedly into the present and beyond. The work also visualizes the time that has passed down, changing in form, the thoughts and prayers that humans have sought to express in each era.
This work, which embodies this multi-layered expression, is 2.4 meters high and 7.0 meters wide, and is made up of 164 ceramic pieces and 4 bronze pieces, for a total of 168 pieces. Its size and the sense of volume that only a three-dimensional ceramic relief can provide, along with its detailed modeling and rich color expression, give it an overwhelming presence and make a big impact on visitors to Ginza.
To color the ceramic relief, a combination of 290 different glazes was used. With the aim of recreating the diverse forms of art, including the feelings that people of the time put into their works, Otomo applied ingenuity and techniques in glazing and firing to create complex colors, while also focusing on creating an unprecedented level of texture. The Jomon period pottery on the right side of the composition has a textured finish created by refining rice paddy soil and mixing it with glazes. The Eleven-Faced Kannon statue in the center is decorated with gold leaf. Furthermore, the section leading into the future on the left is given a metallic feel by combining low-temperature glazes. The motorcycle sticker at the bottom left was colored by Otomo himself.
This work was planned as the 563rd public art piece by the Japan Traffic Culture Association. Based on the original drawing by Otomo, which took about three years to complete, seven artisans from Creare Atami Yugawara Studio (Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) spent about two years creating it.
[Ceramic relief overview]
Title of work: Procession Spin
Location: Near Exit B1 of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Dimensions: 2.4m high x 7.0m wide.
Original drawing and supervision: Katsuhiro Otomo Sponsored by: Seiko Group Corporation, Metro Cultural Foundation Cooperation: Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Ceramic relief production: Creare Atami Yugawara Studio Planning and production: Japan Traffic Culture Association
[Original artist profile]
Katsuhiro Otomo (Manga artist/Film director)
Born in Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture in 1954. Debuted in 1973 with "Junsei" in Manga Action (Futabasha).
In 1983, he released works such as "Domu" and "AKIRA," and in 1988 he served as animation director for the theatrical version of "AKIRA."
He subsequently produced films such as "MEMORIES" (1995) and "Steamboy" (2004).
In 2005, he was awarded the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
In 2012, his first exhibition of original drawings, "Katsuhiro Otomo GENGA Exhibition," was held, and he was inducted into the Eisner Comics Hall of Fame in the United States.
In the same year, the short film he directed, "Kayojin," won the Grand Prize in the Animation Division of the 16th Japan Media Arts Festival held by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ofuji Noburo Award at the 67th Mainichi Film Awards.
In 2013, he released the omnibus work "SHORT PEACE."
In the same year, he was awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal by the Japanese government.
In 2014, he received the Winsor McCay Award, a lifetime achievement award, at the Annie Awards in the United States, and was awarded the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
In 2015, he won the Grand Prix at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.
In the same year, he created his first public art piece, "Kinka Doji Crossing the Waves Accompanied by the Wind God and Thunder God," at Sendai Airport, and in 2020 he was the original artist and production supervisor for the ceramic relief "ELEMENTS OF FUTURE" at the Ookayama Campus of Tokyo University of Science.
Katsuhiro Otomo
[Ceramic relief production scene]
Creating ceramic reliefs requires a special clay that is different from that used in regular pottery. Using a unique blend based on high-quality soil from Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, we create clay that allows for bold and delicate expressions. The glazes that adorn the pottery have a "flavor" that is not found in so-called "pretty" colors, creating colors and textures that make you want to touch them. Creare Atami Yugawara Studio is also developing new glazes, and is now able to express 6,500 colors. We engage in repeated dialogue with artists to determine the type of shape and glaze to be applied, sharing the thoughts that are put into the work and creating tasteful pieces.
“Procession Spin” production scene
<Produced by Creare Atami Yugawara Studio>
Built in 1981 in Izumi, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, it was designed by architect Kengo Kuma. It houses a glaze research facility, a modeling studio, a stained glass studio, and a showroom. It primarily produces public art pieces using stained glass, ceramic reliefs, and ceramic panels. The first director was the late Belgian Louis Fransen, under whose guidance the institute established some of the world's most advanced production techniques. It manages 6,500 colors of glaze used for ceramic reliefs, and creates delicate and intricate Japanese designs for stained glass, which originated in Europe, amazing foreign visitors. As a creative hub, it collaborates with many artists, including foreigners.
Creare Atami Yugawara Studio
[Japan Traffic Culture Association] Press release
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