TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious international hotels located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will host its annual spring art exhibition in theme of “Mt. Fuji,” which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2013. This year, various kimono artwork of renowned artist Itchiku Kubota, who revived the Tsujigahana tie-dyeing technique of the Muromachi period (1338-1573), will be exhibited. In addition, items from his collection of ancient glass bead will be displayed. This exhibition, held from March 28 to April 30, will be free of charge to all visitors.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Itchiku Kubota, who is well known both in Japan and overseas for his beautiful kimono representing Japan’s traditional art techniques and the seasonal beauty of its nature. At the age of 31, Itchiku discovered the Tsujigahana traditional technique of dyeing, which disappeared 400 years ago, used for Japanese kimonos and thereafter devoted his career to reviving this extinct dyeing technique. After 20 years of diligently fine-tuning his skills, he announced the official start of his own style of “Itchiku Tsujigahana” dyeing. For the exhibition, we have chosen to display six Itchiku Tsujigahana kimono masterpieces that depict Mt. Fuji, one of his most favorite themes in his artwork, and two other items of “Yuzen” dyeing style kimono which he pursued early in his career. The exhibition will also display 14 glass bead art items that are said to be one of the most ancient art forms and were collected by Itchiku on his travels along the Silk Road.
The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo hosts a wide variety of cultural events on a seasonal basis as part of a wide range of hospitality services provided to our guests. Shinjuku is the starting point of journeys from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, and this event celebrating the magnificence of this beautiful and symbolic mountain held every year since 2013 has become extremely popular amongst all guests. This year, we are proud to host an exhibition of Itchiku artwork as representations of the profound influence that Mt. Fuji has had on Japanese art and culture.
