Traditional Japanese Art Exhibition Commemorating 50 years of Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi’s Career as a Painter
2019/9/12
From August 22 to September 8, the Embassy hosted an art exhibition in honour of Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi’s 50-year career as a painter and an ikebana artist. He has contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture by producing Japanese-style paintings as well as teaching ikebana to people in Canada over many years. A total of 54 paintings were exhibited, including ones produced both early in his career and more recent works. Along with his paintings, a variety of materials which were used to produce his artworks were also displayed to visitors.
Mr. Kikuchi was born in Hokkaido, Japan, and moved to Ottawa in the 1960s. He has been producing various types of works such as sumi-e (Japanese ink brush paintings), nihon-ga (traditional Japanese painting), water colour, and oil paintings ever since. He has created a number of works using motifs of flora and fauna that are bright and shining, along with Japanese and Canadian landscapes. Even though 50 years have passed since he started his artistic career, he actively continues to produce many fine-textured and delicate works as well as paintings that express reverence for life. While he has been working actively as a professional painter, he has also contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture by teaching ikebana to people in Canada.
At the opening ceremony on August 22, Ambassador Ishikane delivered opening remarks, expressing a heartfelt message of congratulations to Mr. Kikuchi who has played an active and important role in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Canada through his artistic activities. The event was attended by many guests including people who are involved in art, local Japanese-Canadians, as well as Mr. Kikuchi’s longtime friends and ikebana enthusiasts who he met through his practice.
On August 26, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado also visited the exhibition to admire his works during her visit to Canada.
Mr. Kikuchi was born in Hokkaido, Japan, and moved to Ottawa in the 1960s. He has been producing various types of works such as sumi-e (Japanese ink brush paintings), nihon-ga (traditional Japanese painting), water colour, and oil paintings ever since. He has created a number of works using motifs of flora and fauna that are bright and shining, along with Japanese and Canadian landscapes. Even though 50 years have passed since he started his artistic career, he actively continues to produce many fine-textured and delicate works as well as paintings that express reverence for life. While he has been working actively as a professional painter, he has also contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture by teaching ikebana to people in Canada.
At the opening ceremony on August 22, Ambassador Ishikane delivered opening remarks, expressing a heartfelt message of congratulations to Mr. Kikuchi who has played an active and important role in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Canada through his artistic activities. The event was attended by many guests including people who are involved in art, local Japanese-Canadians, as well as Mr. Kikuchi’s longtime friends and ikebana enthusiasts who he met through his practice.
On August 26, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado also visited the exhibition to admire his works during her visit to Canada.
 |
 |
| Ambassador Ishikane delivering remarks | Dr. Brian Yamashita, President of the Ottawa Japanese Cultural Centre leads a toast to the audience |
 |
 |
| Guests toasting Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi | Mr. Mitsugu Kikuchi explaining his work to the Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane |
 |
 |
| Reception | Display of art materials |
 |
 |
| Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi’s works and Ikebana display by Marie-Eve Coupal-Place, President of the Ottawa Chapter of Ohara School of Ikebana | Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi and Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane |
 |
 |