Did you know the Tower of the Sun in Osaka was almost demolished? This incredible structure wasn’t always a beloved landmark. Standing before us is a testament to perseverance. A symbol of the 1970 Osaka Expo. It almost met the wrecking ball after the event concluded.
The Tower of the Sun is a 70-meter-tall masterpiece designed by the artist Taro Okamoto. It’s not just a pretty face either. Okamoto envisioned it as a vertical passageway between the underground and the sky. A passage between past present and future. Three faces adorn the tower. The belly of the sun represents the present. The golden face at the top represents the future. Finally the black sun on the back represents the past. Okamoto’s vision of humanity’s cyclical journey through time is brilliantly showcased.
Initially part of a theme pavilion for Expo ’70. The tower’s unique design surprised everyone. It broke through the roof of the space frame designed by architect Kenzo Tange. It was initially intended to be temporary. The public outcry to preserve it after the Expo was substantial. In 1975. The decision was made to keep it as a monument. Its doors were closed for decades. The interior was only opened to the public again in 2018 after extensive renovations. This included earthquake-proofing and the reconstruction of the missing ‘Underground Sun’.
Inside this giant structure lies a 41-meter-high Tree of Life. This installation is spectacular. It features 183 models of 33 living organisms. It illustrates the evolution of life from protozoa to humans. The original composition Hymn to Life composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi echoes within the tower. The sun bugs and sea lilies glow from within. The Tree of Life is more than just a display. Okamoto described it as the ‘bloodstream’ of the Tower of the Sun. The folds of the inner wall are the ‘folds of the brain’. The modern technology used in the restoration enhances the visitor experience.
The Tower of the Sun is more than just a structure. It is a symbol of hope. A symbol of resilience. It is an enduring piece of art. It poses a thought-provoking question about humanity’s progress. It asks if the future envisioned at Expo ’70 is truly here. The answer. Well that’s up to each of you. Let the Tower of the Sun inspire your own reflections on our shared journey.