Park Hotel Tokyo will hold an art exhibition entitled "Stylish Japanese Women", featuring ukiyoe and other portrait styles of fashionable women from the past and present, on its 25th-floor atrium from December 9, 2013, to February 23, 2014.

During the eighth event of the seasonal ART Colours exhibitions, savory dishes, desserts and cocktails inspired by the artworks will be served at the hotel's restaurants and bar. In addition, visitors can enjoy projections depicting the artworks on the hotel's grand 30-meter-high wall in the evening.

Themed on Japanese women, the upcoming exhibition will feature hand-painted ukiyoe of the Edo Period and portraits of stylish Japanese women by modern-day artists.

"Sharenomesu," a phrase used in Edo Period meaning to be extremely stylish or become fashionable in one's own way, is the key word of the event. Fashion leaders in Japan during Edo Period were geisha and oiran, high-class courtesans. The courtesans of Yoshiwara, the famous red-light district in Edo, were especially known for gorgeously dressing and showcasing fashion techniques and items, including ways to align patterns of fabrics for kimono, makeup and hair accessories. They were therefore adored by the people of Edo who were extremely keen on fashion.

One of the modern-day artists featured in the exhibition is Kiyoko Abe, who portrays women from a contemporary perspective, amid her own daily challenges as a mother and woman.

Maiko, an apprentice geisha, painted by Masayoshi Nakamura (1924-1977), a renowned artist of Showa Period, will also be exhibited.

The hotel looks forward to welcoming guests and introducing them to flamboyant but self-assured urban women across different eras in painted form. Please enjoy the festive winter mood in the atrium while refreshing the body and mind in stylish surroundings.

The Park Hotel Tokyo is recognized abroad as a Design Hotels brand member and over 60% of its guests are foreigners. The hotel holds exhibitions themed on Japanese aesthetics four times a year as part of efforts to show foreign and Japanese guests the aesthetic appeal of Japan's four seasons.

Outline of the "Stylish Japanese Women" exhibition *Free Admission

[Opening period] Dec. 9 (Mon), 2013 ~ Feb. 23 (Sun), 2014

[Hours] 11.30 ~ 22:00

*Projection Mapping begins after dark

*Open every day during the period. Time restrictions may apply due to unscheduled events.

[Venue] The 25th-floor atrium, the Park Hotel Tokyo

[Artworks] Hand-painted ukiyoe, paintings by Kiyoko Abe, Masayoshi Nakamura

[Co-operation] Hagurodo (http://www.hagurodo.jp)

[Production] creative unit moon (http://www.moooon.jp)

[Visual production] antymark (http://antymark.jp)

[ART Colours project]

A series of projects to provide traditional Japanese-style hospitality "Omotenashi" to visitors in the areas of ''ART'' -- Atrium, Restaurant and Travel, which are considered pillars of the Park Hotel's services -- that enable people to appreciate the aesthetic appeal of the four seasons and experience aesthetic lifestyle. Since March 2012, the hotel has been holding various events including art exhibitions and services, such as original menus and special accommodation offers, associated with each of the four seasons to provide uniquely memorable moments for visitors to the Park Hotel Tokyo as part of its global promotion efforts.

Artist Profile

Kiyoko Abe

Painter  Born in 1970 in Tokyo

Abe is known for sumi ink portraits using people's states of mind as the motif. Portraits of women that look unstable but hold powerful eyes, are particularly highly regarded. Her strong but fragile appearance and non-talkative personality are reflected on her artworks.

Masayoshi Nakamura

1924-1977  Born in Aichi Prefecture

Nakamura created the Sea Battle between the Genji and Heike, a series of paintings, for the film "Kwaidan" directed by Masaki Kobayashi. His notable contributions to the Japanese art industry include his research on Japanese artist Sharaku, promotion of art auction, research on mixtures of paint, promotion of mass production of art frames, creating of exhibition entitled Tokyoten, and forming the group Hitohitokai. He is also known for leaving the Nitten, a prestigious art organization in Japan, after becoming its judge for its exhibition.