February, 2017

Keio Plaza Hotel Press Release
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Hosts Mt. Fuji Exhibition,Featuring Itchiku Kubota’s Mt. Fuji Kimono Masterpieces

TOKYO - Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious international hotels located in
Shinjuku, Tokyo, will host its annual spring art exhibition based upon the 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 Tombodama ancient glass
bead art collection will be displayed. This exhibition will be held from March 28 to April 30, 2017
in the third floor Art Lobby and other locations in our hotel, and will be free of charge to all visitors.
Also, special meals with unique menu items commemorating this exhibition will be served at ourFrench and Italian, and Japanese restaurants in April.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the renowned kimono artist Itchiku Kubota(deceased in 2003 at the age of 85), who is well known for his artworks both in Japan and overseas.
After returning from imprisonment in Siberia after the end of World War II at the age of 31, Itchiku
discovered the Tsujigahana traditional technique of dyeing, which disappeared 400 years ago, used forJapanese kimonos and thereafter devoted his career to reviving this extinct dyeing technique. After 20years of diligently fine tuning his skills in Tsujigahana dyeing, he announced the official start of his own
style of Tsujigahana dyeing called “Itchiku Tsujigahana”. At the age of 77, he constructed an art
museum known as the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum in Kawaguchiko with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji
as a place to display his beautiful art items, and passed away in 2003. For our spring art exhibition, wehave chosen to display six Itchiku Tusjigahana art items that depict Mt. Fuji, which was one of
Itchiku’s most favorite themes in his artwork, and two other items in the “Yuzen” dyeing style art
items which Itchiku pursued early in his career. The exhibition will also display 14 Tombodama
glass bead art items that are said to be one of the most ancient art forms and were collected byItchiku on his travels along the Silk Road. In addition, calligraphy art brushes and ink stones used
by Itchiku will also be displayed.
The Keio Plaza Hotel hosts a wide variety of cultural events on a seasonal basis as part of a wide
range of hospitality services provided to our hotel guests, 75% of whom are overseas visitors fromover 100 different countries. Shinjuku, where our hotel is located, is the starting point of journeys
from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, and our annual events celebrating the magnificence of this beautiful andsymbolic mountain held every year since 2013 have become extremely popular amongst all hotel
guests and visitors. This year, we are proud to host an exhibition of “Itchiku Tsujigahana” artwork
as representations of the profound influence that Mt. Fuji has had on Japanese art and culture.
Itchiku Kubota has become widely recognized both in Japan and overseas for his beautiful artwork
representing Japan’s traditional art techniques and the seasonal beauty of its nature.

穏（おん）“On”: Mt. Fuji and its Forest
Cloaked in Fog (Created in 1989)
The first work in a series depicting Mt. Fuji
and its forest as seen from a hotel inFujiyoshida City, this work is the most likean actual photograph of all Itchiku’s artworks.

檃（おん）“On”: Green Tress of the Mt. Fuji
Forest in Spring (Created 1995)
Colorful forest and flowers in full bloom during
spring, representative of the bountiful dreams thatinspired Itchiku’s art work.

“Tombodama” Ancient Glass Bead Art

Special Exhibition of Itchiku Kubota’s Mt. Fuji Kimono■ Special Exhibition
Date: March 28 (Tuesday) to April 30 (Sunday), 2017
Location: 3rd Floor Art Lobby, 2nd Floor Restaurant Floors*admission free
Held in Cooperation with the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum“Captivating Art Work of Itchiku Depicting Mt. Fuji”
Six art items from “Itchiku Tujigahana” style of dyeing that depict Mt. Fuji and represent thelifelong work of Itchiku Kubota will be displayed. In addition, two art items from his original
artwork in the style of Yuzen dyeing artwork, along with calligraphy paint brushes, ink stones, andother various art utensils used by Itchiku will also be displayed.
“Itchiku Kubota Art Museum “Tombodama” Ancient Glass Bead Gallery”
Itchiku Kubota was also a well-known collector of “Tombodama Ancient Glass Bead” art and 14
items from his collection, which were made in Europe over 2,000 years ago and are said to beamongst the oldest art craft made, will be displayed. Itchiku has been fascinated with
“Taomodama Ancient Glass Bead” art from a young age, and the items on display will givevisitors to the exhibitions insight to how he developed his aesthetic eye for art.
*Tonbodama glass bead art accessories will be sold in the Lobby Gallery on April 21 -29

Held in Cooperation with the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art“Mt. Fuji and Flower Photographic Exhibition”
Approximately 20 photographs depicting the theme of Mt. Fuji and flowers selected from thewinners of the “Mt. Fuji Photograph Contest” held by the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art will also bedisplayed.
■ Restaurant Fair
Special meals with unique menu items commemorating this exhibition will be served at our 3
restaurants.
Date: April 1 (Saturday) to 30 (Sunday)
Restaurants:“Duo Fourchettes” French and Italian Cuisine Restaurant“Kagari” Japanese Cuisine Restaurant“Soujuan” Kaiseki Cuisine Restaurant

About the Keio Plaza Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (KPH), located in Shinjuku at the very heart of the nation’s capitalTokyo, is one of Japan’s leading international hotels. Our hotel boasts of over 20 restaurants andbars, and we host a wide range of local and international guests who visit us for our welcoming
facilities, warm hospitality and unique services that allow them to experience Japanese culture,including our Hello Kitty themed rooms, wedding kimono fitting experience, tea ceremony
and many others. For more information about our facilities and services, please visit
our website, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.

Contacts: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Public Relations Manager
Sunaho Nakatani,+81-3-5322-8010

s-nakatani@keioplaza.co.jp