Karakusa, or arabesque patterns, have long traveled across East and West as a symbol of vitality—evoking the steady, graceful growth of plants. Shiseido’s first president, Shinzo Fukuhara, believed that the elegance of karakusa patterns mirrored the poise of women, making it a fitting motif for cosmetics. Since then, karakusa has become an essential part of Shiseido’s design identity—evolving with the spirit of each era while remaining rooted in its legacy.

This project revisits the history of Shiseido’s karakusa while reinterpreting it as a symbol of ongoing growth and future vision. The project unfolds across two zones: the street-facing window and the interior entrance space. The window art, themed around “curves,” draws inspiration from the work of Ayao Yamana (1897–1980), a key illustrator and designer who laid the foundation for Shiseido’s visual language. Ribbons trace the elegant curves of karakusa, mimicking Yamana’s brushwork in motion. Three flowing lines, each with its own rhythm, never repeat the same movement. As they intersect and overlap, they create fleeting moments of harmony—suggesting an endlessly evolving karakusa. Inside, the entrance installation focuses on “straight lines.” Drawing from the original inlaid karakusa motif embedded in the building’s floor, the pattern is brought to life as if extending upward, sprouting branches and leaves into the space. The resulting sculptural fixture evokes a sense of organic vitality, immersing visitors as if stepping into the karakusa itself.

On top of the organically shaped display tables, heritage Shiseido products adorned with historical karakusa motifs are exhibited alongside interactive elements, inviting visitors to connect the pattern like a puzzle—an opportunity to engage with the legacy of Shiseido firsthand. The piano wires used in the window art were specially bent and engineered to incorporate sudden accelerations, generating complex and unpredictable movements beyond human capability. The backdrop and base were crafted to be as thin as paper, evoking the sensation that various patterns are being drawn onto the surface in real time. In the entrance installation, when viewed from the upper atrium, floating lines intersect with lines along the floor, creating an immersive experience where two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements blend seamlessly.

As part of our sustainability efforts, low-halogen materials were used for the mesh ribbons in the window display, reflecting an environmentally conscious selection of materials. Additionally, all joints and screws in the entrance display fixtures were concealed within the structures, and the fixtures were designed to be easily disassembled and relocated during events. This approach not only reduces waste but also considers the possibility of reinstallation in other venues and the reuse of materials.