Where the Tiles Took Me

Programs

Exhibition

展覽

磁磚帶我走

Aug 23 -
Aug 24
8月23 - 8月24

Boulevard Pavilion
12:00pm - 6:00pm

About the Program

Kenji HORIGOME has travelled the world collecting ceramic tiles, even searching across Taiwan for pieces originating from around the globe. To protect these delicate treasures from damage during transport, he often carried them close to his body on flights back home. Driven by a desire to preserve patterns that are slowly being forgotten with time, he frequently ventured into construction sites, digging through rubble to unearth hidden gems.

This exhibition features 14 selected sets from Kenji’s extensive tile collection, showcasing designs that reflect a blend of cultural influences. It also shares the personal stories behind his relationship with each of these pieces, offering Canadian audiences a glimpse into a world of beauty, memory, and craftsmanship.

Kenji Horigome

Kenji HORIGOME was born in Japan in 1947. He holds a Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Tokyo and is a certified first-class architect in Japan. He has lived in Taiwan for nearly 40 years. Deeply interested in Taiwan’s architecture, urban landscapes, and local lifestyles, he conducted extensive research and published the book “Taiwan Towns and Life” in Japan in 1980.

Horigome has also taught at National Taiwan University, Tamkang University, and Chung Yuan Christian University, offering courses on architecture, urban landscapes, cultural heritage preservation, and even feng shui. He has a keen eye for topics that are often overlooked by others, from which he discovers new subjects to explore. Among these, he has devoted considerable time to the study of tiles. His research culminated in the 2024 publication of “The Genealogy of Tiles in Taiwan” (Yuan-Liou Publishing).

Kenji Horigome Hope Talk 堀込憲二希望講堂

From the Curating Team

節目介紹

堀込憲二走訪世界各地蒐集磁磚，也在臺灣各處尋找來自世界各地的磁磚。為了避免藏品在運送過程中破裂受損，他常將磁磚貼身背在身上搭機返國；為了保留那些逐漸被新時代遺忘的紋樣，他也經常出入工地、在瓦礫堆中挖掘寶藏。

本次展覽精選憲二老師豐富藏品中的14組磁磚，向加拿大觀眾介紹這些融合各地文化風格的磁磚作品，以及他與這些收藏之間的故事。

堀込憲二

堀込憲二1947年日本出生，東京大學工學博士、日本一級建築士，在台灣生活已近40年。他對台灣的建築、城市以及台灣人的生活方式感興趣並進行了研究，於1980年在日本出版了「台灣城鎮及生活」一書。

堀込憲二也曾於台灣大學、淡江大學、中原大學教授建築與城市景觀、文化資產保存、風水等課程。他對別人不關注的事物感興趣，並能從中發現新的主題，進行各種研究，其中花了比較多時間研究磁磚。成果總結於2024年出版的《臺灣磁磚系譜學》（遠流出版社）。

Kenji Horigome Hope Talk 堀込憲二希望講堂

策展團隊的話

Gallery

Mid-17th century, Netherlands

17世紀中期、荷蘭

Dutch-made Delft Tiles. Characterized by their iconic blue and white color scheme. The center often features the tulip, a national symbol of the Netherlands, and the four corners are adorned with fleur-de-lis patterns—hallmarks of 17th-century Dutch tiles.

荷蘭製「台夫特磁磚 (Delft Tile)」。荷蘭磁磚的特徵是藍白色彩，磁磚中央描繪荷蘭代表花的「鬱金香」。四個角落的百合花紋是17世紀荷蘭磁磚的特色。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Square tile with inner square rotated 45 degrees. This tile is not intended for use as a single piece. It was designed for full wall coverage, creating a cohesive pattern when assembled. The repeating plant motif is revealed when installed alongside white square tiles of the same size.

方形磁磚內正方形旋轉45度的設計。基本上，磁磚不是單片使用，需要全牆面貼滿時呈現的效果。這塊磁磚貼滿時出現的植物圖案與同一大小的白色正方形磁磚

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Chinese Lady Pattern. Believed to have originally been used on furniture surfaces. Some design examples feature circular illustrations within square tiles, including figures and landscape scenes.

中國仕女圖案。推察、原來使用傢俱類上面。有一些設計範例在方形磁磚裡使用圓形圖案、包括人物和風景畫等。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Tile with Image of Indian Deity. Originally manufactured for export to India, this type of tile was typically used in Indian palaces and mansions, but some were imported to Taiwan.

This particular image is of Krishna, with Sanskrit written below. In addition to Krishna, other depictions such as Ganesha and Saraswati were also used in Taiwanese homes.

印度神祇圖案磁磚。原本是為了行銷到印度而製造的產品。通常使用在印度的宮殿或宅邸，但有一部分進口到台灣。

這圖案是「黑天 (Krishna)」，下面有印度教梵文。台灣民宅有使用案例，黑天以外「象頭神」、「辯才天女」等圖案。

Late 19th century, United Kingdom

19世紀末期、英國

Though it features Islamic geometric designs, this tile was made in Britain. The star-shaped center and border are filled with floral and foliage patterns.

The shallow relief adds a three-dimensional effect due to variations in glaze thickness and surface texture.

雖然它帶有伊斯蘭圖案，但卻是英國製磁磚。星形圖案中及邊緣也佈滿了草花文圖案。

由於是淺浮雕，表面的凹凸使得釉藥的濃淡現出明暗對比，使其更具立體感。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Tile with Indian Script “Devanagari.”

Originally used in the Indian region, this tile has made its way across the ocean and is now found in Taiwanese homes.

印度文字「天城體 (Devanagri)」的磁磚。本來印度區域使用東西，飄洋過海現在台灣民宅裡。

19th century, United Kingdom

19世紀、英國

British-made “Encaustic Tile.” Unlike surface-painted tiles, encaustic tiles have patterns embedded with colored clay, so the design does not wear off with use. Ideal for floor decoration and heavy-traffic areas.

The back is stamped with MINTON & Co PATENT and STOKE upon TRENT.

英國製「鑲嵌磁磚 (Encaustic Tile)」。有別於表面描繪上色者，這種磁磚不因磨損而讓紋樣消失，適合應用在地板的鋪設及裝飾上。

背面有MINTON $ Co PATENT及STOKE upon TRENT的文字。

Early 20th century, Taiwan (Beitou)

20世紀初、台灣・北投

Locally called “Shísān Gōu” (13 grooves) in Taiwan. Widely used in modern architecture during the Japanese colonial period.

This L-shaped tile was specially designed for corner applications. It was used in buildings at National Taiwan University, completed in 1929.

這種磁磚在台灣俗稱「十三溝」。在日治時期，它們在近代建築中被廣泛使用。

這塊磁磚曾用於國立台灣大學的建築 (1929年完工)，是一種用於轉角的特殊L型磁磚。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Peony Relief Tile. This relief tile featuring peonies was used in India.

Such patterns are popular among Chinese communities, especially in Taiwan and throughout Southeast Asia. Commonly found on the roofs and walls of traditional Taiwanese homes.

牡丹花浮雕磁磚。這個磁磚在印度曾被使用過。

這種圖案在華人中非常受歡迎，尤其是在台灣，在東南亞也常見。他常用台灣傳統民宅的屋頂和牆壁上。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Flower Basket and Auspicious Symbol Relief Tile. This tile features a Chinese-style basket of flowers and other auspicious symbols. Butterflies are also visible in the lower left and right corners.

Often used on the roofs of traditional Taiwanese homes.

花籠和各種花之中國吉祥圖案之浮雕磁磚。左右下角落也看到蝴蝶。

常使用在台灣傳統民宅的屋頂等。

19th century, France

19世紀、法國

French-made “Faience Tile.” This hand-painted, repeating pattern is typical of French Faience tiles.

法國製「法恩斯磁磚 (Faience Tile)」。像這樣的手繪連續圖案在法國之法恩斯磁磚上經常可見。

Early 20th century, Japanese-made tile with Taiwanese painting

20世紀初期、日本製磁磚、台灣製

Taiwan-made Tile Painting. A 6-inch square white tile painted by a Taiwanese artist, featuring two phoenixes and flowers. Originally used on the walls of traditional Taiwanese homes.

台灣製磁磚畫。6吋見方白色磁磚上台灣的畫家畫兩隻鳳凰及花。原來使用在台灣傳統民宅牆壁上。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Rose Motif Tile. The rose motif was popular in Britain and other European countries, commonly used in various decorative arts such as coats of arms, ceramics, and furniture.

This tile is part of a set of four, with roses placed inside a Ruyi-shaped frame, surrounded by geometric Islamic-style repeating patterns.

玫瑰圖案在英國和其他歐洲國家普遍流行，並被廣泛應用於各種裝飾，如徽章、陶器、家具等。

這塊磁磚一套四塊，圖案以如意框裡配置玫瑰花，再被幾何形的伊斯蘭式連續圖案包圍。

Early 20th century, Japan

20世紀初期、日本

Coastal Landscape Tile Set. This is a set of four tiles depicting a coastal scene featuring Mount Fuji, black pine forests, and boats. The name “K. Saji” in the lower right corner refers to the Saji Tile Company.

These landscape tiles were commonly used in the dado (lower wall panel) of traditional Taiwanese homes.

這是一組四塊的海岸風景畫磁磚。描繪了富士山、黑松林、船隻。右下角的「K。Saji」是佐治磁磚公司代表的名字。

這種風景磁磚常見於台灣傳統民宅的裙堵 (腰壁)。

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TAIWANfest Toronto is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, that is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered here, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples of this land while we engage in meaningful conversations of culture and reconciliation.

Exhibition

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