"Living Strata" is a groundbreaking window art project showcased at the Shiseido Parlour Ginza flagship store in honor of the 150th anniversary of Shiseido's founding.

Inspired by the phrase "Praise the virtues of the Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth significant values" from Yi Jing, the Book of Changes, a Chinese classic text from which the name “Shiseido” originates, we sought to create a window art display that reflects the grandeur of Shiseido's history while promoting sustainability and connecting people to nature.

To bring this vision to life, we selected strata as the motif, drawing inspiration from the fact that strata is the embodiment of the time the earth has lived and an expression of its life force. Using real strata as our primary material, we employed the "setsujo-hakuri" technique, traditionally used by museums in Japan , to carefully peel off a layer of strata and incorporate the true essence of the earth into our display.

Our team then treated the strata with a special chemical and fiberglass to enhance its durability. This process allowed us to preserve the surface texture and cracks of the original strata as a thin material that could be processed into complex shapes. The resulting strata, with layers shaped by the passage of time spanning hundreds of thousands of years, is breathtakingly beautiful.

To further showcase the power of nature and the changing expressions of the earth, we scanned the location where the strata were collected in 3D and incorporated the terrain created by the erosion of rivers and rain over vast periods of time into the design of the display.

The strata rotates within the window at a speed of one full rotation per day, creating a mesmerizing display that captures the shifting light and shadow of a day on Earth and expresses the magnificence of nature.

The juxtaposition of strata formed over hundreds of thousands of years in the modern cityscape of Ginza, Tokyo is a powerful reminder on the power of nature and our impact on the environment.

In recent years, the balance of nature has been disrupted due to climate change, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena. The impact of these phenomena are physically visible in the surface cracks and texture of the strata on the display and the strata is a living example of the the environment and its history.

We hope that the window display inspires people passing through the city to reconsider their appreciation for the earth, the impact of their actions and their relationship with nature.

The strata material used in the project has not been discarded after its use as window art. Instead, it has been donated to museums such as the National Museum of Nature and Science, where it will continue to be used as museum exhibits and geological research materials, contributing to a better understanding of the earth's history and promoting sustainability for future generations.

Creative Director: Youji Nobutou (Shiseido Creative)
Art Director: Yukihiro Kaneuchi (Shiseido Creative)
Chief Designer: Misato Nunokawa (Hakuten)
Designer: Ema Fujiwara / Koji Nakae / Yousuke Nakazato / Aki Ito/Kei Suzuki / Riho Moroto (Hakuten)
Producer: Seishiro Tate (Hakuten)
Technical Director: Kohei Kumazaki (Hakuten)
Construction: Kaiki Shingu Chiawen Lin (Hakuten)
Pastry Chef: Mineko Kato (Faro)
Photography: Masayuki Hayashi
Movie: Ponsuke Kojima (Saturation)