Key Facts
• A 4m x 3.2m stained glass artwork will be installed at JR Kumamoto Station in October.
• Designed and supervised by Akemi Takatsu, a 77-year-old textile artist from Kumamoto City.
• The artwork, titled “Colors of Higo,” features Kumamoto’s iconic landmarks and cultural elements.
• Highlights include the Hosokawa clan’s Higo Six Flowers, Tsūjun Bridge, and traditional “Gara” and “Choku” sake vessels.
• Created as part of the Japan Traffic Culture Association’s public art initiative, marking its 562nd project.
• Takatsu, a long-time member of the Nitten Exhibition, has worked on art inspired by Aso’s nature for over 50 years.
• She previously designed a ceramic relief for Kumamoto Airport in 2012.
• Funding was secured through visits to over 30 local companies and crowdfunding, raising over 30 million yen.
• The stained glass will be unveiled on October 22, 2025.
Summary
A large stained glass artwork, designed by renowned textile artist Akemi Takatsu, will be unveiled at JR Kumamoto Station in October 2025. Measuring 4 meters by 3.2 meters, the piece, titled “Colors of Higo,” celebrates Kumamoto’s cultural heritage with depictions of iconic landmarks and traditional elements. This project, part of the Japan Traffic Culture Association’s public art initiative, is the 562nd of its kind. Takatsu, a veteran artist with over 50 years of experience, proposed the project and successfully raised over 30 million yen through local business support and crowdfunding. The stained glass will be displayed inside the station’s conventional train ticket gates, offering visitors a vibrant glimpse into Kumamoto’s rich history and artistry.
