SOU・SOU Zaifu is a spot in Kyoto where you can experience the traditional atmosphere of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) in a contemporary setting. Zaifu’ s modern Japanese interior features fabric products by SOU・SOU-a Kyoto-based brand producing unique fashion pieces and footwear. Ki-Yan’s mural ‘Water Land’ was originally painted in 2009 for SOU・SOU’s men’s apparel store Kei-i, but became part of the patio leading to Zaifu following renovations and the removal of the ceiling. Originally appearing on the fusuma sliding doors in Shõren-in Temple, these water based motifs, including motifs of lotus flowers, water lilies and frogs – can also be found on a number of SOU・SOU products made in collaboration with Ki-Yan, such as the brand’s signature jika-tabi (split-toe shoes).
Gontaro prides itself in its dashi-a homemade soup stock made of carefully selected kombu and mackerel flakes prepared freshly every morning. Enjoy the umami taste of this dashi in the Famous Gontaro Hot Pot, udon noodle soup or soba buckwheat noodle soup. This main branch of Gontaro is located in Kyoto’s busy shopping area in a modern building with an authentic sukiya-zukuri (an architectural style based on tea house aesthetics) style interior. The restaurant features both table seating as well as Japanese style tatami rooms. You can find Ki-Yan’s paintings of buckwheat flowers on the walls and the sliding doors on the third floor. These paintings are based on sketches Ki-Yan drew while in Gontaro’s own buckwheat fields. You can also find the motif of a praying mantis sitting on a buckwheat flower. While thinking about the composition of the paintings for Gontaro, a praying mantis jumped into Ki-Yan’s house, and he spontaneously decided to feature the insect as well.
Home to Ki-Yan’s dynamic mural ‘The Kings of Beasts and Flowers’ , Wine Kura Shiori is a dining bar serving over 90 types of wine alongside inventive international and Japanese inspired dishes. Located in a renovated kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse), the bar provides a variety of seating styles, including the popular horigotatsu seating style (seating at a table over a sunken floor) in the private room. Ki-Yan’s paintings of red lions and peonies that dominate the staircase walls represent the artist’s signature style of ‘painting without boundaries’. Don’t forget to check out Ki-Yan’s ‘Grape Terrace’ on the second floor-a blue mural on the white walls surrounding a miniature Japanese rock garden.
