[TOGE.BY.JYUNGIN – PART 2]
Latest mural project with an Okkaido themed izakaya in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. The project consists of two murals. One at the entrance of the restaurant while the other is located within the main sitting area. Since the restaurant has an Okkaido origin, instead of depicting a typical Japanese theme mural, I decided to investigate further into the heritage of Hokkaido, and paid more attention to its indigenous locals and their cultures.
“The Guardians” is the main mural of this project, depicting a bear, a wolf, yellow pheasant’s eye and a snowy mountain landscape. Each of the elements play a significant role in the Ainu culture. Ainu has a religious belief that the Gods rest in everything, both living and non living things. Bear and wolf were two of the most sacred animals in the Ainu religion. In Ainu culture there is little reference to flowers, as the fact that few flowers were of economic importance or utility. However the brilliant golden flower of pheasant eye is an exception and it’s given prominent mention in Yukar, or folk tale. The mural aims to depict the importance of cherishing and protecting local cultures and heritage, and respecting its history and local wisdoms.
