The Beauty of Shadows - A Japanese Aesthetic

TOTO Presents The Beauty of Shadows at HIX - the Hotel interiors show in London

TOTO will showcase its world famous WASHLET within a specially designed 45 sq metre stand created by world class architects Squire & Partners. Incorporated into the design, is a foyer reception, a sensory zone and Tea House. The experiential area takes you on a journey into a shadowy space illuminated only by the glow of the WASHLET.

The exhibition is inspired by the essay In Praise of Shadows published in 1933 and written by Junichirō Tanizaki. Over 90 years since its original publication and many reprints later this book has become standard reading for many architects.

The book champions the restrained and often minimal aesthetics of traditional Japanese interiors—wooden surfaces, paper screens (shoji), and natural materials that absorb and reflect light in muted ways. This simplicity and sensitivity to materials have influenced many architects. The result is a classic description of the collision between the shadows of traditional Japanese interiors and the dazzling light of the modern age.

Tanizaki’s work focusses attention on the importance of natural light and its relationship to architecture. He praises the way traditional Japanese spaces allow light to filter in softly, diffused through shoji screens or reflected off opaque and textured surfaces, creating a nuanced and dynamic atmosphere. This understanding of how natural light changes throughout the day and affects the mood of a space is fundamental to architectural design, especially in modern projects that emphasise sustainability and environmental harmony. This is why Tanizaki is sometimes referred to as an ecological prophet.

The respected British philosopher AC Grayling said that In Praise of Shadows was “an exercise in mindfulness” and a "hymn to nuance”. The work has been praised for its insight and relevance to modern life and culture. Indeed the much revered architect Kengo Kuma has written the latest introduction to the book in the 2017 edition. The Japan Times wrote, "Tanizaki, in Gregory Starr’s new and highly accomplished translation, samples a number of instances where the use and perception of light differs from the West, noting that, where Western paper reflects light, traditional Japanese paper absorbs it."

The NEOREST WX and WASHLET RW play a significant role in TOTO’s stand at HIX. These stars of the show and their surroundings emphasise the beauty of nature and the importance of wellbeing in our everyday lives as Tanizaki references in his book. They are also an indispensable part of this compelling visual story of design appreciation and sophistication. It is the clever use of light and shadow across the stand that puts the spotlight on our most luxurious products to date - creating the perfect ambiance for showcasing our world class designs to hotel designers.

MEET THE STAND DESIGNERS FROM SQUIRE & PARTNERS

Beth Mills, Associate Partner – Head of Modelshop

Tim Gledstone, Senior Partner

How difficult was it to interpret the ideas of this highly regarded book, In Praise Of Shadows, which forms the basis of the stand design?

The book is incredibly descriptive and gives us a clear guide of the perfect toilet. Tanizaki writes, ‘There are certain prerequisites: a degree of dimness, absolute cleanliness and quiet so complete one can hear the hum of a mosquito.’ Lighting and sound were very important. He says, ‘The Japanese toilet truly is a place of spiritual repose … it always stands apart from the main building … no words can describe the sensation as one sits in the dim light, basking in the faint glow reflected from the Shoji, lost in meditation or gazing out at the garden.’ We had the ambitious aim to recreate this ‘place of spiritual repose’ in TOTO’s stand design, with a single toilet on display lit by the ‘moonlight’, positioned away from the Tea House.

How do the principles differ between designing for a temporary structure and a permanent one?

Importing tonnes of gravel and large rocks to create a Japanese garden was not feasible, given the weight restrictions of the venue and the time limitation on the install. We therefore considered ways of suggesting the raked gravel whilst putting a contemporary spin on it, by carving patterns into the flooring using a CNC machine.

The tea house uses a modular scaffold system, which is easy to transport and erect on site. Although exhibited temporarily, the tea house and garden were designed to be permanent through their modularity; the tea house has already travelled from its first home at the TOTO gallery and will return there after HIX before continuing its travels.

What materials did you use to enhance the stand’s design?

The design and production of the installation’s framework has provided the opportunity to collaborate with Takenaka – a 400-year-old Japanese construction company who have built timber temples throughout Japan and who also designed TOTO’s Clerkenwell showroom.

Moving through the installation, the CNC-carved stained plywood flooring gives the impression of raked gravel in traditional Japanese gardens, and the use of dark panelling and spotlights enhances the shadows. We suggested displaying a single toilet as the only product on the stand, presented midway in the zen garden and lit by the ‘moonlight’, in order to celebrate the culture and craftsmanship behind the product, rather than the product alone. The timber and plywood zen garden is enhanced with stepping stones and crafted rocks utilize offcuts of Belgian Blue stone, sourced from The Stonemasonry Company’s Stamford yard.

A secondary focal point is the crafted tearoom set in the back of the garden, which we originally designed for TOTO’s showroom earlier this year. The tearoom is made from reusable blackened clamped scaffolding and woven copper and stainless-steel panels which we developed in collaboration with Cipango, who exist to promote ancient Japanese craft. These panels have been manufactured using ancient kimono silk weaving techniques.

How does this project vary from other projects you are working on currently

The nature of our work is incredibly varied. In this month alone, we are working on several small-scale architecture models; a community engagement project turning the drawings of local primary children into neon lights for the windows of both our studio and Southbank Centre; and designing a piece of furniture with Stone Federation Great Britain. We have really enjoyed the collaboration with TOTO and Takenaka to bring this project to life, and the back and forth required to ensure the outcome stays true to the original design intent, while accommodating the construction techniques and materials available to us to create a temporary structure.

Have you ever visited Japan - if so what was your impression; if not is your perception of Japan different since reading In Praise Of Shadows (or in general your idea about Japan).

Our Senior Partner Tim Gledstone, who has also been instrumental in this project and has lived in and visited Japan over the past 30 years, believes that the essence of In Praise Of Shadows is evident in the everyday details and joy of Japan, felt whether you have read the book or not – it manages to capture it in simple words.

Japan plays with scale, city and nature; new and old; analogue and digital. The book helps the reader to strip back the layers and enjoy the small, wonderful things amongst the big noise of modern life.

Personally, I’ve not visited Japan but would love to one day. What appeals most is its culture of striving for perfection over speed, appreciating the process and the moment. Our team were lucky to experience this phenomenon firsthand during a tea ceremony that TOTO held in the original Tea House we designed and built for its London showroom, as part of its 2024 Tradition Meets Technology exhibition.

In Praise of Shadows talks about east v west in terms of design - the west is bright and brash whereas Japan is more subtle, minimal and considered - how challenging was it to create a stand that appeals to a vast audience of hotel designers and hoteliers from around the world.

I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the stance that western design has to be bright and brash. I think good, considered design will appeal to all audiences. Pure, pared down aesthetics, with a focus on natural materials are beautiful to anyone.

Tim believes that the book teaches the Japanese essence of less is more. That in hotel design, it is essential that the essence of place, play and relaxation are highly considered, and that a pure crafted concept that resonates with the clear function and the place is better than having too many ideas.

Tell us a little about your process as a model shop director.

The process of creating the TOTO exhibit stand, as with other projects, involves me being in constant communication with the client to help realise their vision and bring the design intent to life. For this stand design, we built a scale model as the first physical iteration of the exhibit, and produced a number of samples as a benchmark for the install – led by Takenaka.

Have you a favourite Japanese item or experience (apart from TOTO, of course)?

Whilst at university, I learnt about the Ise Jingu Shrine. What has stuck with me about it is the tradition of periodic reconstruction, known as Shikinen Sengu. Every 20 years, an exact copy of the structure is rebuilt on the adjacent site, to serve two purposes: the first, to make the shrine eternal, and the second, to pass on the traditional skills of the craftspeople and carpenters. It is this dedication and respect for craftmanship, passing skills down through the generations, that you have to admire.

Tim’s favourite item is his handcrafted sake cup and tea bowl.

Music to accompany the TOTO experience

Tom Middleton is an award winning composer, sensory designer, and co-founder of White Mirror - a sensorywellness consultancy, studio and research lab. In this multi-sensory collaboration with TOTO and Squire & Partners, Tom has crafted a soundscape that seamlessly blends geophonic field recordings from traditional Japanese gardens with the elemental sounds of water and wind rustling through pine trees, enriched by the native biophonic calls of birds and
insects and delightfully therapeutic Koshi Wind Bells. Extensive research demonstrates that immersion in nature sounds, a core element of Shinrin-Yoku (the Japanese practice of forest bathing), positively impacts the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing mood, cognitive performance, and overall emotional wellbeing.

www.whitemirror.studio
@tommiddletonmusic

The sound is bought to life by Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Balance speaker that has room-filling, omnidirectional sound, designed with tactile materials and crafted to last. Beosound Balance is a sculptural statement with technology to match and an ideal companion to Tom Middleton’s music and TOTO’s stand design.

@BangOlufsenUK #BeosoundBalance