Stroll through Harrods this June to be transported to Tokyo After Dark, an immersive ceramic installation in collaboration with Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky and Artist King Houndepinkou. The month-long installation will celebrate the launch of their 29-year-old Grand Yozakura, a rare whisky that celebrates the Sakura season, where Japanese cherry blossoms bloom and illuminate at nighttime.
The Tokyo After Dark Experience resides on Harrods’ fifth floor, spanning two spaces. An experimental ceramic piece inspired by the tradition of pouring into another’s cup will follow the length of the space. One side of the room features a large ceramic sculpture with draped midnight-blue fabric, illuminating the hand-made pink cherry blossom petals and twinkles of gold fabric. The fabric represents the Tokyo sky as it “pours” into the ceramic sculpture and tells the story of companions sharing a sacred moment.
King Hondepinkou merges tradition, spirituality and visceral creativity in his artistic expression. Inspired by the vessel shape, King blends clays, ashes, and powders from all continents to create his pieces. King is a Franco-Beninese ceramicist who discovered Japan’s six ancient pottery kilns in 2012, known as Roku Koyō. From that year, King made an effort to visit Bizen, Japan, each year to gain knowledge from the local potters. Their process emphasised the spiritual and ceremonial aspects of producing ceramic art, reminiscent of King’s heritage in Benin’s animist cult of Voodoo. Using his knowledge, King developed Terres Jumelles, a program that fosters a cross-cultural dialogue between pottery sites of Benin and Japan.
To further spread his knowledge, King invites visitors to sit and absorb the experience in the second adjacent space of the installation. Headphones and iPads are stationed throughout the room, allowing visitors to learn more about the space and collaboration. Additionally, a range of Glenfiddich whiskies is available, including limited edition bottles of 29 Year Old Grand Yozakura.
This 29-year-old whisky is inspired by Hanami, a festival celebrating the ephemeral nature of the sakura (cherry blossom) season. The Hanami festival is best experienced at night when the delicate sakura petals contrast the evening sky, representing a period of renewal and hope. Glenfiddich dubbed their new rarity Yozakura, meaning ‘night sakura’ to tie in with the seasonal celebration. The Grand Yozakura combines Scottish and Japanese distilling resulting in the first single malt Scotch whisky finished in rare ex-Awamori casks. This cask is unique because Awamori is the oldest distilled alcoholic drink in Japan, with its own geographic identity and niche manufacturing process, creating its signature sweet aroma.
Glenfiddich was founded in Dufftown, Scotland, by William Grant in 1887. Grant’s distilling success led to 130 years of business and the first single malt whisky to be promoted outside Scotland. The brand has remained family-owned and still manufactures in the same distillery Grant and his children built from the ground up.
Throughout the installation in June, Baccarat Bar will serve up Glenfiddich 29-Year-Old Grand Yozakura. Five exquisite Glenfiddich cocktails will also be available: Barley Cider with Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment, oxidated plum cordial and clarified apple juice, nutmeg and cardamom. Schleger Effect with Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old Solera Vat, Palo Cortado sherry, fermented honey, vanilla and mandarin. Copper Haze with Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva, mango, sudachi, brown sugar and wood smoke.
Additionally, Baccarat will allow guests to further indulge with a Glenfiddich Grand Series flight with a selection of paired sweet and savoury treats. The menu includes the Gran Reserva – a Passionfruit and coconut bonbon; Grand Cru – a Champagne caramel sorbet; Grand Couronne – an Iberico ham with grape-miso caramel and Grand Yozakura – Sour ice cream with caviar and sudachi dressing.
To discover more, visit: glenfiddich.com/tokyo-after-dark
All imagery courtesy of Glenfiddich.