Magoko, Mitsukoshi

A monumental figure encountered at Mitsukoshi, Tokyo. What interested me here was the contrast: the calm face of the figure against the busy, commercial art-déco setting around it. Photographed in 2024.

Mitsukoshi

Mitsukoshi is bright, controlled, almost theatrical—perfect to observe how a work like this holds a room.

Magokoro

Magokoro (sincerity) is a 11 meters towering, jewel-studded tennyo (heavenly maiden), carved from hinoki cypress and finished with mineral pigments.
Up close, the work becomes texture: wood grain, reflective points of light, and details that only appear when you slow down.

Details & notes

Location: Mitsukoshi, Tokyo
Year photographed: 2024
What to look for: surface / reflections / scale cues
Light: indoor, high-contrast highlights (jewels) + soft shadows
Approach: wide shot for presence, tight frames for texture