Stairway to Heaven

Hideki Kimura, known as “Ki-yan,” began his creative life in the world of rock and roll. A senior to the musician Kenji Sawada, he produced numerous rock festivals before making a sudden career shift at the age of sixty to become a painter. His works—born from ideas that boldly defy convention—never fail to astonish.
Along the staircase at AERO, which links the first through third floors, golden carp burst free from their recumbent state and rise upward, soaring toward the heavens and across the earth. The striking contrast of gold, vermilion, and indigo blue is quintessential Ki-yan—bold, vibrant, and unmistakably his.
Koinobori (carp streamers) are a uniquely Japanese tradition, displayed to pray for the healthy growth of children. This staircase is therefore affectionately known as the “Stairway of Soaring Carp” (Shōri no Kaidan), a name that also carries the meaning “Stairway to Victory.” Ki-yan himself refers to the carp as dragons.
We titled the work in English ”Stairway to Heaven”. No doubt some guests may hear Jimmy Page’s iconic guitar riff from Led Zeppelin’s masterpiece echoing in their minds as they ascend.