How to harmonize with the townscape of Kanazawa

How to breathe the history and culture of this town

"Make this bus appear more beautiful in four seasons."

The design is really chic, isn't it?

"I chose wine red for the base color of the bus because I think this color is elegant, not too insistent, but has presence. So I chose this color, not red, not brown. I had the intention of representing the changing of the seasons! in Kanazawa with a color scheme that reminds us of red leaves or sunlight. I wanted to make this bus appear more beautiful in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Also, I chose white to combine with wine red. White is the color of the moon. I wanted to express light and shadow gracefully through the contrast of these two colors."

"Make all passengers feel Kanazawa during the bus trip."

The bus matches the brand image of Kanazawa.

"I wanted to create a bus that is impressive and that everyone can remember at first sight. However, if it is tool colorful, it would disturb the scene of the town and I would never want to do that. Not too colorful, not too subdued. I was wondering how a bus could best match the townscape of Kanazawa. When I designed the bus, I imagined it! running through the slope around Kenroku-en Garden and stopping in front of the 21st Century Museum ofl Contemporary Art. I was also conscious of Kanazawa for the interior of the bus. I didn't want to make the interior too different from! Kanazawa's taste. I wanted to make all passengers feel Kanazawa during the bus trip. For example, the color of the seat expresses "Kaga-Gosai“ (Kaga five colors) and "Hyakko - Hishou” (Art works collected by the Kaga-Maeda clan, the lord of the Kaga domain in the Edo period) which are loved by Kanazawa people. Also passengers may imagine "Kaga Yuzen” as they see the color of the curtains."

"The process of thinking is the same as the creative activity."

A product designer would not use such a color scheme.

"This color scheme is definitely distinctive and the process of the design would be different from general product design. It is like kneading and turning as you make a work of ceramic art. I thought of each part and selected the parts to assemble. When choosing the fabric of the interior, I actually examined various samples."

It was like the creative activity of ceramic arts.

"Creation of a bus and a tea cup is the same. The difference is simply between “micro" and "macro.' When I make a teacup. I think of the person who will use it. When I make a bus, I thoroughly think about the passengers. Moreover, I think of people who will see the bus in town. The process of thinking is the same as the creative activity of ceramic arts. This may be a clear difference from product design. In my work experience, my design had a different nuance compared to that designed by an interior designer. I would like everyone to appreciate the difference."

"Use a motif that was simple, strong and meaningful."

By the way. I found an impressive line on the back of the bus.

"The line means "One* in Kanji (Chinese character). I wrote it with a calligraphy brush. I wanted to use a motif that! was simple, strong and meaningful. "One" means "Beginning" in the East and West. It expresses the beginning of al day, that is to say, sunrise is expressed by this design. I used the color of gold to represent morning sunshine, and! I am also conscious of "Kinpaku" (gold leaf) of which Kanazawa people are so proud."

"Kanazawa is a wonderful town because it has contradictions."

The idea is totally different from ordinary bus design.

"I do not mean to be eccentric. I think of meanings and make meanings. As a result, design is generated. I said earlier that the thinking process is the same in making a bus as in making a teacup. However, it was the first attempt for me to design a bus and it was a good chance to try something new. I often use the word "On-shin-chi-ko" (HT %10 FR) which I originally created based on one of the Japanese four character idiomatic compounds, "On-ko-chi-shin" (AZ ATJ), which means "try to discover new things by studying the past." The meaning is that if you try to do something new, you will also naturally learn old things, such as history, tradition, Classics, and so on. This time. I had the chance to think deeply about the town of Kanazawa. The design of this bus is a result of what I got through this process. "

Finally, what do you think of the town of Kanazawa?

"Everyone knows Kanazawa has a rich history and its own culture. However, I don't think that is all. "What is the originality of this town?I think Kanazawa is a wonderful town because it has contradictions. It is said that Kanazawa people respect Kyoto and honor Edo (Tokyo) at the same time, but Kanazawa has always retained its own unique character. Kanazawa people have been able to be proud of themselves because they have been trying new things! Kanazawa people continue to try new things and prize old things at the same time. This is exactly "On-shin-chi-ko"! I think the attractiveness of Kanazawa is based on such contradictions." One more thing, I often say. “The Kanazawa dialect is an apologizing language." Kanazawa people say to others by way of a greeting: "Sorry (for doing something) in your busy time." This is proof that Kanazawa people have been living modestly. Kanazawa people are modest but confident, then finally they honor others. In the background, there may be the spirit of "Sado" (Japanese tea ceremony) and also the influence of Neo-Confucianism, which was advocated by the Maeda clan.
With the increase in tourism, Kanazawa residents continue to work to entertain and serve others just as they have traditionally done in the past."