In the center of the restaurant, a stage measuring approx. 5.4 m2 has been erected, its impressive backdrop painted in the style of the famous Kano school.
The restaurant interior also incorporates various elements of highly refined traditional performing arts that are Japan’s pride, creating a stylish and charming Japanese space.
The décor also features antiques from the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods, while cuisine is served in and on lacquerware, serving trays, and other delicate yet gorgeous tableware.
Forget the everyday and savor a time of relaxation in the Japanese space created by SUIGIAN’s décor.
Following the style of a Noh stage, SUIGIAN features a stage measuring approx. 5.4 m2, complete with a backdrop depicting an old pine tree. This panel was originally the backdrop to a stage located in Kyoto’s Muromachi-Ebisugawa district that has ties to the Katayama Family of the Kanze School of Noh drama as well as the Inoue School of Kyomai dance. The magnificent pine tree was painted in the style of the famous Kano school. Through fortunate circumstances, we were able to acquire this deeply historical panel for the SUIGIAN stage, where Noh drama and various other traditional Japanese performing arts are presented on a daily basis.
Many of the trays and dishes used for serving SUIGIAN’s cuisine were acquired from Fukiro, a long-established traditional Japanese restaurant on the tranquil grounds of a shrine in faraway Nagasaki. Having been established some hundred or so years ago, Fukiro boasts a long, deep history. It is said that the restaurant was even visited by Prince Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first Prime Minister. Having provided hospitality to many guests over many years, FUKIRO sadly closed its doors in 2017. However, the service of numerous FUKIRO dishes and utensils—imbued with some 100 years of heartfelt hospitality—is being continued at SUIGIAN.
In 2017, the Osaka Nohgaku Kaikan Hall regrettably lowered the curtain on about 60 years of history as a beloved base for Nohgaku performances in Osaka. To this hall had been donated for display eighty-four (miniature) Noh masks created by the Nijo Ningyo Kobo (Nijo Doll/Puppet Workshop), which boasts a history of some 80 years handcrafting Noh dolls/puppets. SUIGIAN has acquired these eight-four Noh masks and is displaying them around the restaurant/lounge. Having watched over the history of the Osaka Nohgaku Kaikan Hall, these richly individualistic masks will now be watching over the history of SUIGIAN.
At SUIGIAN, we have transformed the corridor from the entrance to the seating area into an art gallery featuring ukiyoe woodblock and woodcut prints produced in the Edo (1603-1868), Meiji (1868-1912), and Taisho (1912-1926) periods. This collection includes a wide variety of ukiyoe woodblock and woodcut prints, including The 53 Stations of the Tokaido (running script version), One Hundred Noh Dramas (which depicts scenes from Noh performances), and Graphic. Depiction of Mitsui, Surugacho Tokyo (which depicts scenes of the Nihonbashi-Muromachi district of Tokyo in days gone by).
The displays will be alternated regularly, enabling visitors to enjoy different works each time they visit SUIGIAN.
Long-established Incense Company
Shoyeido Incense Co.
A long-established incense maker, Shoyeido Incense Co. was founded in Kyoto around 300 years ago. The materials supporting the creation of traditional scents are precious natural incense transported from countries in Southeast Asia and throughout the world. With their finely honed senses, incense makers draw out the very best fragrances from these materials, creating incense with practiced hands. At the same time, cutting-edge technologies have also been incorporated into the manufacturing process as the company also eagerly undertakes the creation of items that match the lifestyles of modern people.
Through fragrance, Shoyeido Incense Co. presents the blessings of nature. Delicate Japanese scents are beloved by people throughout Japan and the world as a soothing balm for the hearts of modern people.
Kimono Artisan Kyoto
Kimono Artisan Kyoto brings together artisans involved in the production of Kyoyuzen dyed textiles, Surigata-yuzen dyed textiles, Kyoshu embroidery, Kyo-Kanoko Shibori dyed textiles, and Nishijin-ori woven textiles—traditional crafts that have molded the uniquely Japanese traditional mode of dress. Leading the next generation of cultural industries about which Japan can boast to the world, artisans sprinkled around the Kyoto and ancient Kyoto areas weave together wisdom and practiced skill to provide lifestyles infused with kimono that color the everyday with rich individuality for each person, undertaking kimono-making that responds to the needs of the times. The Japanese apparel worn by Hidetomo Kimura, Suigian’s producer, and the bowties worn by Suigian staff are also created by Kimono Artisan Kyoto. In future, we will be incorporating Kimono Artisan Kyoto kimonos into various scenes at Suigian, so please look forward to this.
