Lights of Otaru Ironai Bank District / Former Otaru Branch of the Bank of Japan

[Jun's Light x Otaru Art Base x UNGAPLUS]

The Ironai Bank series is a collaboration between the Otaru Art Village, which promotes historical culture based on the bank buildings and stone warehouses that make up Otaru's historical landscape, and Otaru-based candle artist Jun's Light.The candle, "Lights of Otaru Ironai Bank District/Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch," was created in collaboration with the Otaru Art Village and Otaru-based candle artist Jun's Light. This candle is inspired by the former Otaru branch of the Bank of Japan, designed by Kingo Tatsuno, who laid the foundation for modern Japanese architecture. The impressive building features four domes and a four-story watchtower, and its beautiful patina-colored copper roof captivates onlookers. The candle recreates the traditional Japanese color patina, creating a striking and eye-catching candle with a beautiful color scheme. It will be delivered in this UNGAPLUS original box. Enjoy a relaxing time with the flickering candle flames as you contemplate the scenery that has been passed down through the ages.

"Lights of Otaru Ironai Bank District"

During the Meiji period, Otaru became a base for the development of Hokkaido. As people and goods flocked to the city from all over, financial institutions also moved in. Many banks lined Ironai Boulevard. Bank architecture, a symbol of Japan's modernization, carries on the history and memories of Otaru's past prosperity and is still carefully preserved as a cultural heritage that shapes the Otaru landscape. Jun's Light has skillfully embodied these beautiful bank buildings in candles. May the light convey the splendor of the time. This is the "Ironai Bank Town" series, a collaboration with Otaru Art Base. From the Meiji period onwards, Otaru flourished as a port town replacing Hakodate and a coal shipping port, becoming a base for the development of Hokkaido. People and goods gathered here from various regions, and financial institutions flourished from the Meiji period through to the early Showa period. The area around Ironai Odori, where banks were built one after another, later came to be known as "Ironai Banking District." This landscape, where bank buildings built around 100 years ago still stand in a narrow 500-meter radius, is unique in Japan. It can be said to be a symbol of the modernization of not only Hokkaido, but of Japan as a whole.

Her beautiful candles also look great as interior décor. While she has been involved in planning exhibitions at department stores and art museums, creating dazzling spaces, she also pursues her creative endeavors with the desire to "cherish the everyday." 18 years ago, she studied under American candle artist Claudia Symes, and began working full-time in 2007. She continues to inspire people by expressing her feelings at each moment through layered colors.