GK Kyoto GK Kyoto revives the ancient performing art of Gigaku in modern times. Masks revived using cutting-edge technology and design are unveiled for the first time in Asuka Village.

【GK Kyoto】 GK Kyoto revives the ancient performing art of Gigaku in modern times. Masks reborn using cutting-edge technology and design debut in Asuka Village ​
GK Kyoto Press Release: October 25, 2025 GK Kyoto revives the ancient performing art of Gigaku in modern times. Masks reborn using cutting-edge technology and design debut in Asuka Village. GK Kyoto Co., Ltd. (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; President and CEO: Fuuji Asada) supported the production of masks for the “GIGAKU” procession, a project held on September 27, 2025, in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, to revive the ancient masked theater “Gigaku” for the first time in approximately 1,400 years. Image
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The four masks produced this time—”Karura,” “Konron,” “Chido,” and “Shishi”—were created through a collaboration between Eno-design, Okamura Studio, and GK Kyoto. Based on sketches by dancer Kaiji Moriyama, who is the general director of GIGAKU, the masks were digitized in 3D using AI technology. Using this data as a base, GK Kyoto meticulously refined the shapes and refined the design down to the smallest detail, pursuing functionality that could withstand weather resistance and intense movement. Furthermore, the parts printed by the 3D printer were painted using the coloring techniques of GK Kyoto’s designers and modern paint technology, creating a lightweight mask that exudes a sense of weight and history. In this way, a new mask was born, fusing modern technology with the spirit of ancient performing arts. This is not simply a restoration project; it is also a design project that attempts to “reinterpret ancient performing arts.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71578/47/71578-47-7dabba1d42e6c2591890958a87284bc9-2989×1570.jpg In addition to the four masks mentioned above, we also created two other masks: the “Taishimen” (Prince Prince Mask) and the “Fusakumen” (Cloth Mask). The “Taishimen” is a mask that serves as a base for children participating in the procession to freely draw their faces during the workshop. Made from resin using vacuum molding, the mask is lightweight and easy for children to wear, making it an ideal entry point for the next generation to participate in the culture. “Nunosakura Masks” are made from cloth and come in two types: masks that support the progression and direction of the procession, and masks that symbolize the people of the time. They have become new expressive elements that help expand the story, and play an important role in “reviving Gigaku as a local culture.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71578/47/71578-47-1009696b3521b7f84dc35322319167a6-2753×641.jpg The “Gyodo” procession held on September 27th, featuring masked people parading through the village, evoked both the spirit of ancient times and modern creativity in visitors, truly creating a “festival that transcends time and space.” The revival of Gigaku is not merely a reproduction of historical materials; it is an attempt to reconstruct it using modern expressions and technology. Through this project, GK Kyoto interpreted cultural assets from a modern perspective and presented a design approach that preserves them for the future. GK Kyoto will continue to combine tradition with cutting-edge technology to challenge itself to create new culture.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/71578/47/71578-47-740e0d968d978b0abfa1a54ac74ecef2-3488×1962.jpg 【Gigaku and the GIGAKU Project】 Gigaku is a masked theater that is said to have been introduced from the continent during the Asuka period and is also known as Japan’s oldest masked performing art. Dances and stories were performed using vibrant costumes and a variety of masks, but records of this art form ceased with the Kamakura period, and only the masks and a few records remain. Its true nature has led to it being referred to as a “phantom performing art.” The GIGAKU project does not simply recreate this lost art form; it is an attempt by contemporary artists, designers, musicians, and local residents to revive it in a new form, transcending various boundaries, such as genre and era. Using a comprehensive, interdisciplinary artistic approach, we see great significance in preserving the ancient spirit while reconstructing it as a cultural experience open to the future, and we intend to continue expanding this project into the future. – GIGAKU Project Executive Committee Website:
https://www.gigaku-asuka.jp/ GK Kyoto Co., Ltd. A “compass-type design firm” that thinks and creates the future together GK Kyoto aims to be a design firm that uses the power of design in a broad sense to serve as a compass for clients and society’s challenges. During the concept stage, we visualize our thought processes and ideas, deepening our thinking together with our clients. By imaginatively depicting a relatable future, we clarify our goals and unleash the energy to make them a reality. During the implementation phase, we utilize our extensive design expertise, experience in various industries, and design management skills that allow us to freely combine the essence of these elements. We transform complex design solutions into simple, harmonious, and powerful solutions. Established in 1972. URL: https://www.gk-kyoto.com For more information about this release