Daimaru: Then and Later and... 'Kimono'

Many Melburnians will be familiar with the Japanese department store chain of Daimaru. We had a Daimaru store in this city for quite a few years, located in the Melbourne Central development that was designed by famed 'Nakajin Capsule' architect Kisho Kurokawa (who, incidentally, died last year). At left is an image of some kimono being sold at one of the original Daimaru stores. This one's in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, which was founded in 1726.

The image at left is part of a new exhibition in town: Kimono: Osaka's Golden Age at the Immigration Museum. Many types of stunningly beautiful kimono are on display in an exhibition designed by, well, yours truly, in conjunction with the museum. We designed the 2D aspects within the show and a souvenir book.

Children's kimono, women's and men's kimono, accessories, drawings, paintings, and the star of the show for me, firemen's kimono, are on show (in Melbourne only) until September 14. The exhibition "highlights the wealth and prosperity enjoyed by the Japanese during the Edo and Meiji periods (1850-1900)". 'Kimono' celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Melbourne-Osaka Sister City relationship and the 10th anniversary of the museum. The kimono are so delicate and of such an age that the display has to be swapped round in two months time to avoid wear-and-tear and possible risk of fading (but they still look great after 150+ years to me).

Stand by for more on this exhibition. The kimono are quite breathtaking and the show really is a knock-out (even if I say so myself).

A couple of quick pics from the opening in the continuation...

One for the family album... the entry area references a Japanese Shinto shrine (yes, they really are bright orange).

'Kid-friendly' text has been included on all major information panels, at 'kid height'.

Colour coded zones to aid in wayfinding and to communicate what section you're in, as in: 'this is the Edo era section'.

Hey kids! wear a 'kid's kimono' and have a photo taken of yourself in front of (a photo of) Osaka Castle!

Comments

[Dan Hill]

Looks good. Is the Kurokawa building still standing?

[Andrew Haig]

I think it's still standing. But 'set to go'... poor maintenance and asbestos means it may not be around for long... but many are appealling for it to stay.

His Osaka Sony Tower came down recently too (a shame).

...and Melbourne Central is still standing... has Mr K's trademark conical roof