Naoki Nomura Original KIMONO Exhibition “Female Poet – Sei Shonagon”

This year, The Nippon Gallery will again host an Original Kimono Exhibition by Naoki Nomura, one of the living masters of the Kyo Yuzen style of kimono design, based on a dyeing technique perfected in Kyoto around the middle of Japan’s Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1867.  Nomura uses traditional dying methods that result in a sedate tone.  At the same time he injects a bright liveliness by exquisitely depicting scenery or flowers on the fabric.  His original works lend a traditional element of grace and beauty to women who live in the present age.

Mr. Nomura believes that a kimono should enhance the charm and beauty of the person who wears it and that his creations only truly become “kimono” when they are worn. He hopes that this display of his works will help more people understand the richness of kimono design and their creation.

The exhibition showcases 16 original Kimonos and obis depicting the scenes from “The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon”, which is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the eleventh century, by reference to “the life of Sei Shonagon”. Written over 1,000 years ago, her book is the rare and precious record of a highly sophisticated woman living a privileged and protected life at the Japanese Imperial Court. Sei Shōnagon was lady-in-waiting to the Empress Teishi. Her ‘Pillow Book’ is a mixture of diary, gossip, poetic musing and observations about daily life in the Heian period (from 794 to 1185) in Japan.

Nomura expresses daily lives at the imperial court and beautiful four seasons’ scenery in the ancient capital, Kyoto, by using various colors he himself created, combined with colors being called “colors of the Heian period”. Nomura’s Kimonos embrace both the traditional and elegant with a flair for the modern.  We invite you to experience the beauty of Nomura’s kimonos as they travel from Kyoto to New York. Please don’t miss this opportunity.

Period:             May 3 (Wed) – 9 (Tue), 2017
Hours:              Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday Closed
*The exhibition will be closed at 4:00 pm on May 9, 2017
Venue:              The Nippon Gallery at The Nippon Club
Contact:           Tel: 212-581-2223 Fax: 212-581-3332
E-mail: info@nipponclub.org
Admission Free