White Tiger by Ki-Yan
— The Guardian Spirit of Kyoto’s West
White Tiger artwork brings life to the hotel lobby.
Kyoto has long been regarded as a land protected by the Four Guardians — Seiryu (Azure Dragon), Byakko (White Tiger), Suzaku (Vermilion Bird), and Genbu (Black Tortoise). Byakko, the guardian of the west, watches over the western districts including Nijo and Arashiyama, and has a special connection with the location of Agora Place Kyoto Nijo.
This piece, created by Ki-Yan, a contemporary Japanese painter (Eshi), depicts the White Tiger descending into the hotel and revealing its majestic presence in the lobby. The tail painted at the entrance guides its presence through the hotel, culminating in the powerful form in the lobby, silently watching over all who enter. The overall space expresses the “flow of energy” and the “symbol of protection” of the White Tiger, blending Kyoto’s traditional Four Guardians concept with the dynamic expression of a modern Eshi.
