In the outskirts of Otsunomiya, Japan, I’m Takashi Kuribayashi, challenging the boundaries between modern art and personal wellness. For my latest permanent installation, Oya Genkiro No.6, I invite visitors to immerse themselves in billowing clouds of aromatic herbal steam and become an integral part of the artwork itself.
Initially, Genkiro appears to be the remnants of a grand old tree, standing tall at 59 feet, crafted from native hinoki wood planks. As you approach, a slender passageway adorned with mirrors becomes visible. Advancing further, a multistory core wrapped in glass unfolds, filling the space with thick clouds of aromatic herbal steam, immersing visitors in a sensory experience.
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The senses of heat, smell, and feel in the air prompt an introspective state, transforming actions into a mindful practice. The artist describes it as more than just a sauna; it’s an ‘immersive art experience’. On their website, they explain that while swimsuits, towels, and sandals are welcome (similar to a spa), the main goal is to stimulate intellectual, sensory, and cognitive interaction with the local environment, history, and one’s own body.
The name Genkiro combines the words for “nuclear reactor” (genshiro) and “healthy” (genki), symbolizing both a reminder of the Fukushima disaster’s somber past and its healing potential. Steam, which could indicate an impending nuclear catastrophe in one setting, is here emphasized by Kuribayashi for its restorative qualities instead. Genkiro isn’t just experienced but embodied, creating a borderless space where comfort and disorientation, reflection, and renewal intertwine.
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Right now, Oya Genkiro No. 6 is welcoming visitors! For further details about the exhibit and to make a reservation, please visit their official website.
Oya Genkiro No. 6
909-11 Oya-cho,
Utsunomiya City,
Tochigi Prefecture
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2025-03-26 20:26