Virtual Passage: Ito Meikyu – A Labyrinth Inspired by Japanese Art History

Ito Meikyū invites you into a fascinating virtual reality labyrinth, drawing inspiration from Japanese art and literature.

Produced by Sacrebleu Productions, Les Films Fauves, and Parangon, with the creative vision of Boris Labbé at the helm, Ito Meikyū transports you into a VR experience that echoes the essence of The Fukinuki Yatai, The Tale of Genji, and The Pillow Book. This immersive journey unfolds like a vibrant, sensory mural, rich in emotion. You have the chance to wander through an animated world filled with intricate fractal designs, lush vegetation, diverse characters, elaborate motifs, and elegant calligraphy.

As Boris Labbé eloquently describes, “The virtual wandering space allows us to access different scenes based on the randomness of our choices: a kind of hide-and-seek game with the universe at the center of which we are the omniscient spectator.” This statement beautifully captures the essence of the experience.

I had the pleasure of exploring Ito Meikyū at the NewImages Festival 2025. This 20-minute session on the Quest 3 was part of the XR Market showcase. Since Quest 3 lacks eye-tracking capabilities, navigating through this ethereal world involves aiming your headset towards white circles to progress. It doesn’t require controllers or hand-tracking, but hitting the target can be tricky, especially with distant circles.

Visually, the VR world is nothing short of captivating, yet I found the movement mechanics a bit cumbersome at times. Twice, I struggled to find the white circles needed to advance, breaking the immersive spell and requiring me to navigate awkwardly. An update improving this aspect would be a welcome addition, and having eye-tracking available on platforms like Apple Vision Pro or Quest Pro would surely enhance the experience.