Here's a look at the production process of "The Wavering Sea Dyed Curtain," created by students of Kyoto City University of Arts.

"Jellyfish, Umbrellas, and Wind Chimes," a summer tradition at Kyoto Aquarium, will feature a new addition from July 1st (Wednesday): "A Dyed Curtain of the Swaying Sea," created by students of the Textile Design Department at Kyoto City University of Arts.
This time, we'll show you the process of creating the dyed noren (curtain) and the exhibition "Jellyfish, Umbrellas, and Wind Chimes."

■ Making a Noren (traditional Japanese curtain) with animals motifs

Our annual summer event, "Jellyfish, Umbrellas, and Wind Chimes," is back! This year, in addition to the wind chimes and Kyoto-style umbrellas, we've added a new exhibit: dyed noren (traditional Japanese curtains).

From April 2026, second-year students in the Textile Design department at Kyoto City University of Arts sketched the animals and atmosphere of the Kyoto Aquarium, developing ideas for what they would paint on the noren (traditional Japanese curtains).

Some focused on their favorite animals, others picked out patterns and shapes of fish, and still others tried to express the atmosphere of the aquarium, such as the lighting and how light enters the building. Everyone developed their ideas for the noren (traditional Japanese curtain) from various perspectives.

Printing began in May. Various dyes were mixed together to get closer to the ideal color. People expressed their favorite colors, reproduced the delicate colors of animals, and finished the prints in their own unique colors. Once the colors had set, they were hung outside to dry and awaited completion.

A row of curtains depicting a variety of animals , such as jellyfish, giant salamanders, fish from the " The Sea of Kyoto" large tank, and fish from "Communication Hall ," are lined up.

■The exhibit has started at Kyoto Aquarium!

On Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the "Swaying Sea Dyed Curtain" exhibition began in the "The Countryside of Kyoto" area, which recreates the original landscape of Kyoto. The curtains, depicting delicately rendered animals, sway in the breeze, creating a refreshing summer scene and becoming a popular spot for relaxation and enjoyment.

This time, we collaborated with 13 second-year students from the Textile and Dyeing Department at Kyoto City University of Arts to complete the "Dyed Curtain of the Swaying Sea."
When we spoke to the students, we learned that they expressed the Kyoto Aquarium in their own unique ways, with comments such as, "The differences in patterns of each animals are interesting," "I focused on the way the fish swim," and "I also tried to capture how the light enters the tanks." After viewing the noren (curtain), please enjoy observing the animals as you try to find where they are located within the aquarium.

The "Dyed Curtain of the Swaying Sea" exhibition, along with "Jellyfish, Umbrellas, and Wind Chimes," will be on display until September 30th. Please enjoy both exhibitions and experience the coolness of Kyoto.

★The production process is also being shared on the official Instagram account of the Textile and Dyeing Department at Kyoto City University of Arts!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbar_K6mWlV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==