Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Hosts “Staying Cool in Summer –
Japanese Wisdom and Beauty” Cultural Exhibition

TOKYO -The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo(KPH), one of Japan’s most prestigious international hotels located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will host a cultural exhibition entitled “Staying Cool in Summer - Japanese Wisdom and Beauty” from August 8 (Thursday) to September 25 (Wednesday), 2019 to display how Japanese use their wisdom and aesthetic sense of beauty to stay cool during the hot summer months. Ornate yukatas (Casual kimonos), fans, wind chimes, hand towels, goldfish art, “Edo Kiriko” cut glass and other items that are closely associated with summer and nature, these items will be displayed to demonstrate summer lifestyles of various periods in Japanese history.

We will display the intangible cultural property “Nagaitachugata” yukatas using indigo-dye. Also our yukata experience service is available for guests to try on throughout the year. Yukata reservation could be made online through the Hotel’s website. The refreshing power of a cool summer breeze is represented in rounded uchiwa fans and folding sensu fans. The Ibasen Co., Ltd., established in 1590, will provide various fans printed with “Ukiyo-e” Japanese color prints. And the Hataman Toen Ltd. maker of highly prized Imari Nabeshima style ceramics will provide wind chimes for display. Mr. Yuzo Eto will display his “lacquer art” depicting swimming goldfish, and Todaya Shouten Co., Ltd., established in 1872 and carrying on the traditional “Rien Zome” dye that depicts the stylishness of Edo (Old Tokyo), will display its artistic hand towels. “Edo Kiriko” cut glass tableware is widely recognized for their artistic value as one of Japan’s traditional crafts.

A special lecture and luncheon event entitled “Enjoying Japanese Summer Culture and a Special Lunch” will be held on September 4 (Wednesday), 2019. President Nobuo Yoshida of Ibasen Co., Ltd. is invited to give a lecture about how Japanese developed a special culture of various customs and products, including fans printed with Ukiyo-e paintings and traditional Japanese patterns representing the Japanese sense of aesthetic beauty, to elegantly deal with the summer heat. After the lecture, a lunch specially prepared by our Chef Daisuke Yagisawa will be served at the “Kagari” Japanese cuisine restaurant for the enjoyment of guests.

Overseas visitors from over 100 different countries account for about 75% of all guests staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. Consequently, we have created a program of various Japanese cultural events as a means of allowing our guests to enjoy highly unique and rare experiences in Japanese culture. And in the upcoming event, our Hotel will provide guests with an opportunity to experience how Japanese have traditionally dealt with the hot summer season through its culture and arts.

Dates: August 8 (Thursday) to September 25 (Wednesday), 2019
Venue: 3rd Floor Art Lobby, and other locations
Admission: Complimentary
Cooperation: Nobuo Matsubara, Ibasen Co., Ltd., Todaya Shouten Co., Ltd., Hanasho, Hataman Toen Ltd., Yuzo Eto, Japan Botanical Art Association, Minatoya Co., Ltd., Shoyo Shimada

Information and Reservations: +81-3-3344-0111 (Restaurant Reservation)

• Special Lecture and Lunch Event “Enjoying Japanese Summer Culture and a Special Lunch” (Reservations Required)
  Date: September 4 (Thursday), 2019 Times: Lecture from 12:00p.m. (Reception starts from 11:30a.m.) Venue: Upper Floor Banquet Room Lunch: From 1:30p.m. at 2nd Floor “Kagari” Japanese Restaurant Charge: JPY8,000, includes lecture, lunch, service charges and taxes Lecturer: President Nobuo Yoshida of Ibasen Co., Ltd.

Lecture and Lunch Event Information and Reservations:
+81-3344-0111 (Restaurant Reservations Desk)