Going through a recent paper craft exhibition in Tokyo, simply called ‘Castle on the Ocean’ exhibition, one thing that couldn’t escape an attendee’s attention is a piece of work by a Japanese paper craft genius going by the name Wataru Itou. From the piece of work – a complete city, with all the trappings like a electrical lights and even a train one would be forgiven for thinking the creator is someone who has been in paper craft for decades.
Yet as it turns out, Itou is but ‘just’ a student of art at one of Tokyo’s university. Obviously, there lies a very promising student. Words alone cannot exactly capture the intensity of Itou’s creation. But looking at it, one is left wondering whether paper craft could ever get any better, or whether Itou’s work isn’t really as good as it can get; in other words ‘the ultimate.’ Thanks to Robert Svard.
The name for the exhibition, where Itou can be seen in action, that is ‘castle in the ocean’ is not one reached by guesswork. Turns out that the location of the exhibition ‘Omihotaru’ is one of the top tourist traps in Tokyo: this being a place reclaimed right out of the ocean, a fact you cannot guess from the bustle of activity on top of it. By reclaimed, the implication is not that the place was filled up, dug up or anything. It is a part of Tokyo city, built right on top of the ocean. Talk of the modern wonders of the world! Source .
