Stewart Lane Japanese Myth Mural

Stewart Lane Japanese Mural (15 February 2014)


Stewart Lane in George Town has a new set of murals. This is the work of Japanese artist Takayuki Miyazono, who is presently busy creating the mural depicting a Japanese myth from Okinawa. The myth is about a Japanese elf, known as Kigimuna, who are said to inhabit large trees such as the banyan.

When I met 33-year-old Miyazono, he was busy working on one of his murals. There are four in total, placed in a row, though interupted by another mural by a different artist in the middle. Nevertheless all five murals are painted to appear more or less the same. According to Miyazono, he began painting the murals on 2 December 2013, about two months ago, and will still be in Penang for another month.

Takayuki Miyazono working on the shisa mural (15 February 2014)


Miyazono works as a truck driver back in Okinawa. He was backpacking in Penang when he came across the city's love affair with street art. This made him decide to add his own mural to George Town, providing the people of Penang a glimpse into Okinawan culture. In addition to the Kigimuna, Miyazono also painted a lion-dog called Shisa. The Shisa is a mythical beast said to protect homes from evil spirits.

The intense heat of the George Town weather does not seem to deter Miyazono from doing his painting. Asked if the heat bothered him, he said that he was fine, as he has a shade over his work place.

Takayuki Miyazono painting a kigimuna (15 February 2014)


The wall on which Miyazono is painting is the back wall of Hutchings School. It is near a corner as the backlane continues to connect with Argus Lane.

Getting there

The Stewart Lane Japanese Mural is located on a backlane off Stewart Lane. This backlane emerges on Pitt Street in front of The Star Pitt Street. The nearest bus stop is on Pitt Street, next to St George's Anglican Church. It is served by Rapid Penang bus CAT.

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