A Longing for the Historic

I have always harbored a strong admiration for things of history and tradition. Whether it's architecture, art, cars, or clothing, I find myself drawn to objects that have been passed down through generations, shaped by many hands and much time. It's an attraction that transcends logic. For instance, when faced with a choice between a product made with the latest technology and one that has weathered the years, I would invariably choose the latter.

LOUIS XIII, a blend of eaux-de-vie aged for 50 to 100 years, matured in oak barrels crafted from trees around 100 years old, holds a particular fascination for me. Last year, I produced an Art Aquarium project to commemorate the "100th anniversary" of the Nihonbashi bridge's construction. When I received the offer to become an ambassador, I encountered the number "100" again, a unit of historical measure. Beyond my admiration for history and tradition, I felt a sense of destiny.

Empathy and Respect for Steadfastness

This might seem contradictory to my previous statement about being drawn to historical things, but my work involves creating and pioneering a completely new genre: "Art Aquarium." What I find common between this and the spirit of LOUIS XIII's production is their "steadfastness." When forging a new path without precedent, there are countless temptations. Because there is no established model, and because every action one takes shapes the field, it is crucial to maintain a strong, deliberate core, resisting fleeting allure and hasty commitments.

The production of LOUIS XIII, involving an extraordinary amount of effort and time, must surely be the result of an unwavering, resolute conviction. All historical entities, in their time, were once "new." Only those that endure through time, are passed down, and are widely accepted truly attain value. While I may not match the scale or the years, I feel empathy and respect for LOUIS XIII's unwavering stance, and aspire to bring my own work closer to that level.

A Presence That Demands the Center

I consider brandy to be the spirit that best suits my constitution. While I'm not a heavy drinker, brandy is what I consume most often, and it never leaves me with a hangover. It was also the first spirit I learned to appreciate. I primarily drink it when I'm out. For example, after a large dinner, as we move from place to place, the group gradually narrows down to a few close friends... and we often end up savoring it at a bar.

Among them, LOUIS XIII is a spirit I would recommend to "important people." Its rich aroma gently permeates the throat. I find it to be a superb spirit with exquisite balance. It's delicious beyond explanation, a spirit one naturally wants to share. Many of the people I respect possess a keen eye for discerning true value. I want to share this spirit with those who can appreciate its worth, not just its price, and who recognize quality that justifies the cost. I intend to bring many such cherished individuals here before this limited-time Maison at "Maduro" concludes.

As someone involved in design, the bottle's form is an indispensable factor in appreciating LOUIS XIII. From any angle, it possesses a divine presence. It has a powerful individuality, a presence that, when sharing a toast with like-minded people, commands the center of attention rather than being relegated to the side. From the perspective of "water," "space," and "art," which are central to my work, I am eager to collaborate with it. Imagine fish swimming within a bottle-shaped structure, or a wall adorned with bottles... While "water" often evokes the color blue, I would love to leverage this amber hue to create a space unbound by conventional notions.

For the past few years, I've been producing "Sky Aquarium" at the Tokyo City View observation deck of Roppongi Hills during the summer. It was a novel attempt to present aquariums as art. Last summer, at the "Art Aquarium Exhibition" held at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, we enhanced the experience by offering it as an art exhibition utilizing aquariums during the day, and as a museum lounge to be enjoyed with a drink in the evening. This year's exhibition in Nihonbashi runs from August 17th to September 26th. We are also planning an event in Osaka during the winter holiday season, from Christmas to New Year. My ambition is to create unique spaces that invigorate Tokyo in the summer and Osaka in the winter. How wonderful it would be to realize a collaboration with LOUIS XIII, a spirit as unique as these endeavors, in the future.

Hidetomo KIMURA
CEO of Aquarium Creators Office Srl., Representative Director of HID International Interarctica Inc. Born in Tokyo in 1972. He established the unique field of "Art Aquarium," which fuses aquariums with art, design, and interior decor. He handles everything from aquarium design to water quality management and creature care, garnering international attention as the sole entity presenting paid exhibitions of "art using aquariums." For his exhibitions, he personally designs and oversees the interior, lighting, music, and spatial composition. He has now relocated the headquarters of his Art Creators Office to Milan, Italy, and is actively working to promote the genre he created, "Art Aquarium," to the world. He is also vigorously involved in marine environmental conservation activities.