KIMONO AS ART: the life-long passion of Itchiku Kubota Itchiku Kubota was born in Kanda, Tokyo, Japan in 1917. He was apprenticed at the age of 14, learning the art and craft of Japanese kimono at the studio of a master of the yuzen dyeing technique, Kiyoshi Kobayashi. During these early years, he studied a variety of traditional forms & techniques and eventually entered art school. In 1937, during a visit to the Tokyo National Museum, Kubota first became intrigued with the mysterious, centuries-old technique known as Tsujigahana.
Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota features forty oversized kimono created by Master Kubota. Kimono will tour the United States for six months with only two stops: San Diego, California and Canton, Ohio.
The centerpiece of the display is his 30-piece landscape kimono panorama, “Symphony of Light.” An homage to nature and the passing of seasons, “Symphony of Light” consists of fifteen kimono depicting autumn and fifteen depicting winter. The ten additional kimono in the exhibit celebrate Kubota’s reverence for the natural world of Japan.
Get a sneak peak of the exhibit, view the reaction to the exhibit as it opened in at the San Diego Museum of Art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZjbPh2vDc
Visit www.KimonoExhibit.com for full details of Itchiku Kubota’s life and his beautiful creations Kimono Schedule of Events Welcome the exhibit to Canton or participate in some of the incredible events planned for January through April of 2009!
Key Kimono Events – A Deeper Look
CLUB NEW FUKASUKI • SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009
The Massillon Museum lobby will be turned into a Japanese nightclub! Wear your interpretation of Japanese street fashion and enjoy cocktails and appetizers while dancing to live music by Canton band Bloodline.
JAPANESE TEA CEREMONIES • FEB. 8, 14 | MAR. 7, 21, 22 | APRIL 11, 12, 25
The KIMONO AS ART tea ceremonies will be held in a replica of a Japanese Tea House in the enclosed Wilkof Courtyard of the Canton Museum of Art. Ceremonies are held on the half hour during each two-hour block. Reservations will be taken by the Canton Museum of Art on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are $20 for the formal participation ceremony inside the tea house for up to 10 guests, and $5 for up to 18 guests to observe on benches outside of the tea house. All guests will receive tea and a sweet, the formal session participants will receive a ceramic tea bowl to take home. In keeping with Japanese tradition, formal ceremony participants must be physically able to sit on the floor for 20 to 30 minutes. Please contact Lynn at the Canton Museum of Art at 330-453-7666 ext. 104 or lynn@cantonart.com for reservations.
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY THE PALACE THEATRE • FEBRUARY 12-15, 2009
Join us at the Palace Theatre for sub-titled films from Japan. Thursday there will be an opening reception, complete with origami demonstration at 6:30 pm and the film will begin at 7:30pm. On Friday and Saturday, the films will be shown at 7:30pm & midnight, with the addition of a 1:30 matinee on Saturday. Sunday afternoon will feature short subjects, including anime, at 1:30 at an off-site location to be announced. Sunday evening will feature the closing film at the Palace Theatre at 7:30, followed by tea and cookies. Admission price is $5 per film. Film titles will be announced at a later date on the Palace Theatre website: www.cantonpalacetheatre.org.
JAPANESE COOKING CLASSES • FEB.- APRIL 2009
Fishers Foods’ Loretta Paganini Cooking School in North Canton will hold classes exploring Japanese cooking, methods, traditions and specialty dishes. Feb. 4 offers Noodles & One Bowl Meals, explore Sake and Yakitori on Feb. 9, learn Japanese Steakhouse cuisine on Feb. 20 and a Sushi Primer will be held Mar. 11. For registration and further details, visit the Fishers Foods’ Loretta Paganini Cooking School www.lpscinc.com/fishersclasses.asp
KIMONOFEST
Japanese inspired performers, artisans, entertainers, visual artists, displays and hands-on activities will take place during the 12 weekends that KIMONO is in Canton from February though April of 2009. Musicians, dancers, artists and teachers will be on hand to disperse the flavor of Japan throughout the Cultural Center. Events such as Ikabana (flower) and Bonsai displays, martial arts exhibitions and musical performances will highlight the Japanese culture. Japanese art demonstrations, experiences and workshops such as calligraphy, embroidery, painting, origami and kite making will be free and open to all.
KIMONO EXHIBIT SPONSORS
Ichi Level ($50,000 and up): Timken Foundation of Canton and The Timken Company
San Level ($10,000 to $24,999): Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd., NKC-Nakanishi Metals Works Co., Ltd., Seibu Jido Kiki Co., Ltd.
Shi Level ($5,000 to $9,999): Diebold & Daido Japan
Go Level ($2,000 to $4,999): Kotani Corporation, Kuribayashi Seisakusyo, Louisville Forge and Gears, Mizuho Co., Ltd., Nissin Machine Works, Ltd., Showa Seiko Co., Ltd., Toyo Advanced Technologies Co., Ltd., Toyota Tsusho, Yagi Industries Co., Ltd.
Masukomi Sponsors (Media Sponsors): News Channel 5, The Repository, Time Warner Cable, Ohio Magazine, Western Reserve Public Media, WHBC, 89.7 WKSU and The Karcher Group.
Kimono as Art is made possible with the support of Ohio Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.
