stu Produces Illumination for Ryujin Suspension Bridge in Ibaraki, Inspired by Traditional Japanese Poetic Month Names
stu, a company with the mission to “reinvent entertainment,” has designed, planned, and implemented the landscape lighting for the main towers of the Ryujin Suspension Bridge in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The lighting design, inspired by traditional Japanese moon names, changes monthly to reflect the four seasons. Energy-efficient LED fixtures have been adopted to balance beauty and energy conservation. The lighting ceremony was held on April 27, 2024, with daily illuminations after sunset during the Golden Week holiday period until May 5. Visitors can enjoy a new aspect of Japan’s longest suspension bridge.
stu Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan; CEO: Takayasu Kuroda) combines cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, XR, and AI with creative fields like visual experiences and experience design. The company develops entertainment content in collaboration with private enterprises and government bodies.
For this project, stu has undertaken the entire process from planning and design to installation of the landscape lighting for the main towers of the “Ryujin Suspension Bridge” in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Lighting Design Inspired by Traditional Japanese Poetic Month Names
Considering the beautiful natural scenery of Hitachiota City and the large number of visitors from Chinese-speaking regions, stu devised a lighting concept incorporating unique Japanese culture. The design is based on “wafū getsumei” (和風月名, traditional Japanese poetic month names), with lighting scenarios changing according to the seasons.
The Ryujin Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in Japan, will shine with different expressions depending on the visiting season.
Note: Wafū getsumei are poetic Japanese names for each month that evoke seasonal imagery. For example, January is Mutsuki (睦月, “Month of Affection”), April is Uzuki (卯月, “Month of the Deutzia flowers”), and September is Nagatsuki (長月, “Long Month”).
stu has prepared 12 unique monthly lighting programs, each inspired by the scenery and nature of Hitachiota corresponding to these traditional poetic month names. The company has also implemented an automatic operation program to smoothly transition between these monthly themes.
Dynamic Color Changes Over Time
The lighting design expresses the subtle changes of seasons through gradual color transitions. Achieving such delicate color changes is considered challenging in landscape lighting, but stu has successfully implemented a system that shifts lighting colors over time to represent the beauty of each season.
Achieved with 1/5 of Conventional Power Consumption
By selecting RGB full-color LED lighting fixtures, stu has made it possible to create color schemes that harmonize with the natural environment. The main towers of the suspension bridge, shaped to resemble a dragon in reference to the Ryujin Gorge, will now illuminate the night sky of Hitachiota City.
In addition to the beautiful lighting effects, the new system operates at about 1/5 of the power consumption of the previous lighting, achieving both energy efficiency and dynamic expression while being considerate of the natural environment in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
About stu Inc.
stu is a cutting-edge creative technology company on a mission to reinvent entertainment. Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, and led by CEO Takayasu Kuroda, stu stands at the intersection of advanced tech and immersive experiences, blending 5G, XR, and AI with innovative visual and experiential design. Our borderless creative team pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, developing next-generation entertainment content that captivates audiences.
From our edge tech initiatives in the metaverse to our content development featuring world-class production workflows like writers’ rooms and pre-visualization, stu is pioneering the future of entertainment. We collaborate with industry leaders and government bodies to bring visionary ideas to life, setting new standards in the digital age.
Founded in 2017, stu continues to grow rapidly, attracting top talent and partnering with global brands to create unforgettable experiences. Our work spans virtual productions, live events, interactive installations, and cutting-edge digital platforms, always with an eye toward innovation and audience engagement.
Join us as we shape the next era of entertainment.
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