Hotel Gajoen Tokyo to Hold Tours of Historic Hundred Stairs

12.November.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

The historic Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, will offer a tour of the Hyakudan Kaidan (Hundred Stairs) from December 3 until December 25, 2022. This Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo is an incredible sight, and those with an interest in Showa-era architecture won’t want to miss it.

 

In 1988, part of the old Gajoen structure was torn down to make way for new structures along the Meguro River basin,  and the hotel underwent a large-scale renovation over a period of three years. The Hundred Stairs were originally built in 1935 and designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2009.

Over the years, the Gajoen has served as a restaurant and gathering place for visitors from both the Showa-era and Heisei-era. Filled with traditional Japanese aesthetics, the location is now filled with art and pieces of cultural significance. A number of special exhibitions are held throughout the year. 

 

Why not come enjoy this tour of a piece of Japanese history?

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    Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki – Sojo Henjo / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.

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    First Public Viewing of the Jodan-no-ma in the Joraku-den

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    See Spectacular Paintings when Entering the Tsugi-no-ma Room

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    [Ninomaru Garden Special Viewing] 

    ~Witness a Never-Before-Seen Feudal Lord’s Garden through a Spacial Presentation~

    Scenography for this unique show was provided by the creative label PERIMETRON. In order to show another side of the Ninomaru Garden at night, the company focused on light’s characteristics, from reflection and transmission to refraction and absorption. Light and shadow intertwine in various ways, and guests will be transfixed by this curious showing.

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    Grapevine, Hiromasa Togami.

    Atelier (Image courtesy of Toho)

     

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    Shohaku Art Museum in Nara will be exhibiting works by Uemura Shoen, Shoko, and Atsushi from September 6 until November 27. This will include sketches and rare works by these classical Japanese artists, many of which will be shown for the first time in two years.

     

    Hanagatami. Uemura Shoen, 1915

    Hanagatami (Rough Sketch) Uemura Shoen, 1915

    Yang Guifei. Uemura Shoen, 1922

    Tsudumi no Oto. Uemura Shoen, 1940

    Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons. Atsushi Uemura, 2010. 

     

    The museum has a large number of valuable materials in its collection, including drafts, miniatures, and drawings by Shoen and Shoko. Even the drafts by Shoen are meticulously crafted, down to each and every crease in the kimonos. By viewing the original sketches with the final paintings, guests can feel the emotion that went into them. The exhibition also provides a glimpse of how Shoko and Atsushi deepened their understanding of their subjects through sketching. Fans of Japanese artwork shouldn’t miss this valuable exhibition!

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    04.August.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, is celebrating summer in the spookiest way possible. From July 2 until September 25, guests can enjoy the ‘Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2022 ~Light and Shadow: 100 Stories~’ event, inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in summer to send a chill down your spine. Since opening, over 10,000 visitors have come to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. 

     

    Each of the seven exhibition areas is connected to the stairway, and each has its own theme pulled from the overarching theme of light and darkness. From Light of Passion to Midnight Light, guests will be surrounded on all sides. As you ascend the stairs, a festive atmosphere transforms into a more frightening one. Although the ghosts are out to play, guests are welcome to enjoy the many art pieces and crafts on display. 

     

    Sokyu Room / Lights of Passion

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    Still Water Room / Inverted Light

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    Starlight Room / Midnight Light

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    Experience this immersive art experience that will delight all five senses through light and shadows while you can!

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    Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, is celebrating summer in the spookiest way possible. From July 2 until September 25, guests can enjoy the ‘Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2022 ~Light and Shadow: 100 Stories~’ event, inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in summer to send a chill down your spine. The art illumination exhibition promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Jounen no Akari (Lights of Passion)

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    An Immersive Light Art Space

    Odawara Wind Chimes at Dusk

    Luxurious Cherry Blossom Hairpins

    Glass Lamp, Iroshita Studio

    Flower Arrangement, Rikou Otsuka

     

    As you ascend the stairs, a festive atmosphere transforms into a more frightening one. Although the ghosts are out to play, guests are welcome to enjoy the many art pieces and crafts on display, from flower arrangements by master ikebana artist Rikou Otsuka and sculptures by some of Japan’s most influential traditional creators. 

     

    Enjoy Traditional Summer Ghost Stories with Light Art

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    Born from the Earth, Yasumaro Ozawa

    Byakko, Yuji Nishijima

    Inverted Light, Eros Nakazato

     

    Mysterious music will drift through the air, making guests feel as though they’ve been transported into another world. The eerie space is lit by Ghost Lanterns made by a 200-year-old company in Fukuoka, and the venue is decorated with art blending ukiyo-e with contemporary styles. 

     

    Culture and Crafts from Around Japan

    Paper Lanterns from Ise

    Bamboo Lights, Akarinowa

    3D Knit Lights

    Paper Fireworks

     

    Summer fireworks have been recreated in colorful paper form by an artist in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, and materials found in a neglected bamboo grove in Shizuoka Prefecture were used to create the many iconic lights seen throughout the unique exhibition. Local craftsmen are at the heart of the event, with pieces brought in from areas all around Japan.

     

    Wa no Akari Room

    A concept room featuring gently flickering lights and lanterns is available to book for a limited time. Why not come spend your summer in this otherworldly atmosphere?

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    Kanda Myojin Shrine dates back over 1,270 years, making it one of the most well-known religious sites in Tokyo. Dai Nippon Printing is now making it possible for interested visitors to experience the site from anywhere in the world, unveiling the Kanda Myojin CG Space this week. Developed with approval from the shrine, the virtual space faithfully reproduces the structure and design of the location using 3D laser measurement technology and CG techniques developed by DNP over many years. The space will be open online to all audiences.

     

    A portion of the work from the Masayuki Kojo 10th Anniversary Exhibition currently behind held on-site at Kanda Myojin from June 4 until July 10 will also be available to view in the CG space. The space will also be linked to ‘Virtual Akihabara,’ developed by DNP in conjunction with the AKIBA Tourism Council. Using XR (Extended Reality), the company hopes to develop a wide variety of new communication styles.

     

    The Kanda Myojin CG Space was created by using DNP’s laser measurement technology to recreate three-dimensional objects. By using high-definition photography and photogrammetry technology, images of objects are taken from many angles, creating a realistic 3DCG space to explore. The structure of the shrine, which was rebuilt in 1934 after being damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, has been faithfully reproduced in every way.

    In conjunction with events held at the Kanda Myojin Museum, the Kanda Myojin CG Space will make the history of Kanda Myojin and its collection of materials, including rare ukiyo-e prints, available online for anyone to access. Through these exhibits, people both in Japan and abroad can experience Edo culture through their web browsers!

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    26.April.2022 | FASHION

    From April 21 until May 15, 2022, Startbahn is holding the ‘Made in Japan 3.0: Defining a New Phy-gital Reality’ exhibition at a pop-up venue in Hong Kong! A virtual showroom by VIRTRIX is also open for those who can’t attend in person.

     

    ‘Made in Japan 3.0: Defining a New Phy-gital Reality’ utilizes blockchain technology and NFTs to showcase cutting-edge Japanese creativity in the worlds of fashion, art, and crafts, bringing the physical and virtual worlds together. The lineup was brought together by Startbahn, a leader in blockchain and Web3 infrastructure in Japan. Participating artists include fashion stars Tomo Koizumi and Anrealage, ceramic artist Takahiro Koga, and Yumi Kishi, known for creating digital portraits using artificial intelligence. The latter has appeared in Vogue and worked with Nike.

     

     

    Participating Fashion Brands / Designers, Artists

    Fashion Brands / Designers
    ANREALAGE
    HIRUME
    Masaya Kushino
    TOMO KOIZUMI
    YUIMA NAKAZATO

    Ceramist
    B-OWND / Takahiro Koga

    Artist
    Yuma Kishi

    SBINFT Market Artists:
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    NauGhtEd
    AURORA
    NY_
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    Haioka
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  • Taisho Romanticism Exhibition to Open at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

    16.April.2022 | SPOT

    Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, will hold a Taisho Romanticism exhibition from April 16 to June 12, 2022. The event will take place at the famous Hyakudan Staircase, a tangible cultural property designated by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

     

    Selection of Exhibited Works 

    [Minatoya Edo-period Illustrated Storybook Shop] Woodblock Print (Partial)

    Matsuo Hiromi –  Cosmetics Department from  ‘Department Store Waltz’

    Kimono from Shochiku Costume

     

    Taisho Romanticism Tea Room

     

    Online-only Special Ticket

    Includes a Set of Reprinted Retro Postcards (Limited Quantity)

    Taisho Maiden Memo Set (Limited Quantity)

    Camellia Accessory (Limited Quantity)

    Special Tour with Gallery Discussion (Limited Capacity, Date to be Determined)

    Main Hall ©Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

    First Staircase ©Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

    Large Guest Room ©Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

     

    This year’s exhibition will feature collaborative exhibits with works by Yumeji Takehisa, a leading painter of the Taisho period, and popular illustrator Hiromi Matsuo’s famed piece Department Store Waltz. Coordinated displays of kimono and modern girl’s outfits based on the concept of Taisho Romanticism by Shochiku Costume will also appear, and guests can visit a modern coffee shop with retro stained glass windows by an artist belonging to the Stained Glass Artists Association.

     

    After the Meiji Period when Japan was opening to the outside world, a new blend of cultures never seen before blossomed into the world of Taisho Romanticism. Come enjoy this unique atmosphere and learn more about this time period while you can!

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