The sacred heights are known as the land of the crying red ogre, who made friends with the villagers by protecting them from a fake attack by his friend the blue ogre.

Sacred Heights (聖天)

“Only our actions define the future we set for our children.”

The Kabuki theatre is at the center of the entertainment in the floating world in Edo, as it is the heart at the origins of passions and dreams. The representation is usually organized around the story of three characters: the male hero, the female hero, and the villain, all played by male actors. Kyūjū plays the male hero, and he is from the Sacred-Heights.

Kyūjū of Sacred-Heights (聖天の久寿)

The dormant lake is the theatre of the legend of Sono, who got her hair cut as a service to her husband, so that she would remain faithful to him during his absence.

The Dormant Lake (眠れる湖)

“All these lines of connections, yet I don’t see a better way than the Kabuki theatre to help connect with each other”

The Kabuki theatre is at the center of the entertainment in the floating world in Edo, as it is the heart at the origins of passions and dreams. The representation is usually organized around the story of three characters: the male hero, the female hero, and the villain, all played by male actors. Saki plays the female hero, and he is from the Dormant Lake.

Saki of the Dormant Lake (眠れる湖の紗希)

The Dawn Lagoon is known for being the land of residence of the Nabeshima vampire-cat. The creature drinks the blood of ladies, in order to take their appearance and to seduce their pretendant.

The Dawn Lagoon (夜明けの湖沼)

“People come to the theater to dream, and a dream is what I give them.”

The Kabuki theatre is at the center of the entertainment in the floating world in Edo, as it is the heart at the origins of passions and dreams. The representation is usually organized around the story of three characters: the male hero, the female hero, and the villain, all played by male actors. Kyūjū plays the male hero, and he is from the Dawn Lagoon.

Katsuwaka of the Dawn Lagoon (夜明けの湖沼の勝川)

The Shadow village is famous for its neighbour querels. A couple’s dog once found a treasure in the ground. Their neighbour tried to use the dog as well, and killed it when they realized that it wouldn’t help them. A strange shadow floats over the village eversince.

The Shadow Village (幻の村)

“Electricity will change the shape of Japan, and I will be the one shaping it.”

Okuni is the creator of the Kabuki theatre, which is the main attraction in Ukiyo. She grasped the power electricity could have at a very early stage, allowing her to gain a large influence over the floating world. She comes from the Shadow Village.

Okuni of the Shadow Village (幻の村の阿国)

Some say that Fuji, the ancient goddess of fire, trained on the floating world before creating in one day the volcano that would make her famous amongst all humans.

The Mist Volcano ((霧がかかった火山)

“My silver microphone will be heard from all over the country, only then will they all know who IAM."

Kamio is a renowned singer, made famous after using the silver microphone to add some lyrics to the traditional instrumental music of Ukiyo. He suffered many criticism, before being accepted by a younger generation. He comes from the region of the Mist Volcano.

Kamio of the Mist Volcano (霧がかかった火山の信)

Namazu is a giant catfish who lives in the mud near the bay. He is known for being held prisonner attached a rock. Whenever its keepers aren’t watching, he tries to escape, causing violent earthquakes.

Catfish bay (鯰の湾)

“The latest advancements at the service of the greatest entertaiments. I couldn’t see any better application.”

Chieko is the most famous musician of Ukiyo. She is known for playing the biwa, which she amplified after hearing one of the many possible applications of electricity. She was raised on the Catfish bay.

Chieko of the Catfish Bay (ナマズの海岸の千枝子)

Some say that they have seen Inari, the fox divinity of agriculture, climbing the lonely mountain. Since then, many farmers have settled there.

The Lonely Mountain (孤独な山)

"Another promise that will change the lives of a few lucky highborns.”

San works in a silk manufacture. For generations, his family has seen different innavations make their way into the Japanese society, without ever improving their quality of life. His property is located on the western side of the Lonely Mountain.

San of the Lonely Mountain (孤独な山のサン)

The Memories Glacier earnt its name from the legend of the Mirror. It is said that one that travels there might see the faces of his lost relatives through the ice.

Memories Glacier (思い出の氷河)

“This new magic will anihilate society as we know it. Don’t expect me to take part in it."

Since his youngest age, Hayao has been training and following the precepts of his mighty stables master, in order to make his way into the Sumo world. He hasn’t been defeated for as long as anyone can remember. He was born in the Memories Glacier region.

Hayao of the Memories Glacier (思い出の氷河の駿)

The region of the Two Passes is known as the place where the bravest of all mothers live. This legend follows the tale of Hara, and his mother who gave her life to allow her son to die as a vaillant samuraï.

The Two Passes (二つの峠)

"I see nothing natural in these changes, and how good is it if it doesn’t sustain the cycle of all things ?"

Ken is one of the few remaining samuraï masters. He dedicates his life to maintaining the equilibrium between all things, and follows the way of the warrior. He has always lived hidden, in exile, due to adversarial governmental policies. His village is situated in the Two Passes

Ken of the Two Passes (二つの峠の謙)

The region of the High red Pines is known as the shelter of the fountain of youth. This fountain allows anyone who tastes it to counter the power of aging.

High Red Pines (背の高い赤松)

"These abstract notions will never overthrow the art of making candles."

Bulma is a Geisha, a part of the population that participate in the entertainment of the floating world by performing different types of artistic activities. Bulma is especially famous for her talents in sculpting candles. She comes from a region recognizable by its abundance of High Red Pines.

Bulma of the High Red Pines (背の高い赤松 の ブルマ)

The Dry Harbour was once wet, and its deepness were inhabited by the Dragon King. After a brave diver stole a magnificent pearl from him, he cursed the region which has been dry eversince.

The Dry Harbour (無味乾燥な港)

"This all seemed a bit disturbing in the beginning, but I haven’t noticed any change in peoples’ appetence for partying"

Eikichi is one of the pillars of the floating world. He makes sure that everyone enjoys his travels in Ukiyo by providing some Shōchū to anyone showing sign of thirst. He comes from the Dry Harbour and he swore never to return there

Eikichi of the Dry Harbour (無味乾燥な港の英吉)

PHYSICAL

Electric Dreams of Ukiyo draws a parallel between the arrival of AI in our world and the introduction of electricity in traditional Japan. Each artwork is generated using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) on hundreads of thousands of japanese prints. Each character embodies a specific stance towards innovation while each landscape is rooted in a fictional legend. Through this fusion, the series reimagines the floating world of Ukiyo as a world caught between tradition and transformation.

Electric Dreams of Ukiyo

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