Wakon Yōsai : “Japanese Spirit, Western Learning”; 19th Century’s Meiji Restoration opens Japan to Western technology and thought, transforming culture profoundly. Japanese tradition functions as counterweight to maintain a cultural identity during rapid technological developments. Many innovations can be traced to this balancing of inner and outer pressure. The “Nihonga” art style develops as return to classical Japanese painting with western techniques, depicting traditions and narratives of everyday Japan. Onsen bathing culture is a popular theme, enjoying new expressions, variation, evolution.
The Tower of Temporal Beasts attempts a similar metamorphosis of hot-spring-baths developing from the pressure of traditional historical trajectories and digital sensibilities and innovation.