A Tower of Four Seasons

The welcome tower features motifs of Yugawara’s famous specialties—red and white plum blossoms and mandarin oranges—along with the clear waters of the Chitose and Niizaki Rivers. The benches installed in the plaza are inspired by the ridgeline of Mount Maku, expressing the abundant nature of Yugawara. Both were created using ceramics, a traditional Japanese material. The highlights include the powerful forms, reaching a maximum thickness of 45 centimeters, and the deep, rich glazes. The sculptural design is simple and strong, while the finish achieves a unique expression using approximately ten types of glazes, combining traditional bases with impactful, contemporary colors. Since these ceramics were fired at a high temperature of 1,230°C, their colors will practically never fade.
This tower was donated to Yugawara Town by the Yugawara Rotary Club as part of their 50th anniversary commemorative project. It is our hope that, as a new symbol of Yugawara, this artwork will be cherished by many for years to come.