LOUNGE /
ART
October 20, 2015
ISETAN JAPAN SENSES Presents "KYOTO ORIGIN: The Elegance of Karacho" | ISETAN
ISETAN
Focusing on creations that transcend traditional crafts into the realm of art.
"KYOTO ORIGIN～The Elegance of Karacho" Held at Isetan Shinjuku
Since 2011, "JAPAN SENSES," a Mitsukoshi Isetan initiative held four times a year, has highlighted different regions, introducing a variety of items on each floor. This time, Isetan Shinjuku, with its focus on the "Kinki" region, presents the exhibition "KYOTO ORIGIN～The Elegance of Karacho" and"Kinki's Dyed Colors"starting October 21 (Wednesday). Until October 27 (Tuesday), "KYOTO ORIGIN～The Elegance of Karacho," featuring the brand "Kira Karacho" by the husband-and-wife duo Toto Akihiko and Aiko Senda, will be held on the 5th floor of the main building, in the Personal Room / Promotion space.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
Artistic Karacho Paper: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
Founded in 1624, "Karacho" boasts a long history as Japan's sole surviving Karacho paper workshop, still providing paper used in historical structures like the Katsura Imperial Villa and Nijo Castle.
The couple Toto Akihiko and Aiko Senda, who established "Kira Karacho" to carry on the Karacho legacy, are not only connecting the nearly 400-year-old tradition to the present and future but are also actively pursuing new forms of expression.
Book Signing Events to be Held on October 24th and 25th
From October 21 (Wednesday), "KYOTO ORIGIN～The Elegance of Karacho" at Isetan Shinjuku's main building 5th floor Personal Room / Promotion space will offer Isetan original stationery and envelopes made with Karacho paper, as well as lampshades and interior items.
Furthermore, on October 24th (Saturday) and 25th (Sunday), a talk show by Karacho artist Toto Akihiko, "The 400-Year History of Karacho" / Book Signing for "The Story of Japanese Patterns," will be held. On the days of the talk show and signing event, orders for panels and folding screens, usually only available at the Kyoto atelier, will also be accepted.
Talk Show
Karacho Artist Toto Akihiko Talk Show "The 400-Year History of Karacho" / Book Signing for "The Story of Japanese Patterns"
Date & Time | October 24 (Saturday) 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
October 25 (Sunday) 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Venue | Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 7th Floor Banquet Room
Reservation required. 20 participants per day. For inquiries, call 03-3352-1111 (Isetan Shinjuku Main Operator).
During the exhibition, purchasers of Toto Akihiko's book "The Story of Japanese Patterns" and Aiko Senda's book "Kyoto Time," released concurrently, will receive a signature from the respective author.
Kira Karacho (Toto Akihiko, Aiko Senda)
Toto Akihiko, a Karacho artist from the long-established Kyoto workshop "Karacho," and his wife Aiko Senda, the eldest daughter of Karacho's 11th-generation head Kenkichi Senda, are pursuing new possibilities for Karacho paper and presenting unique art pieces and design products such as Karacho cards under the name "Kira Karacho."
http://www.kirakaracho.jp/
ISETAN LIVING "JAPAN SENSES"
KYOTO ORIGIN～The Elegance of Karacho
Period | October 21 (Wednesday) - October 27 (Tuesday), 2015
Venue | Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 5F Personal Room / Promotion
3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo