Fashion designer and producer Kansai Yamamoto’s bold and often outrageous designs are deeply inspired by the history and culture of Japan.

An excellent example of his work is David Bowie’s iconic Kabuki stage costume (right), which is most probably familiar to you.

Now you can discover with your own eyes how traditional Japanese design and Kansai’s work are intertwined.

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the Edo-Tokyo Museum starts a special exhibition today entitled Netsuki Shinten: Kansai Genki Shugi (Passionate Exhibit: The Energy Principle of Kansai).

Kansai Yamamoto himself collaborated on the production of this exhibition. It explores the impact of traditional culture and Japan’s unique aestheticism using Kansai Yamamoto designs as a starting point.

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is one of Tokyo’s, probably one of Japan’s, best museums, so this raises the expectations quite high.

Exhibition Period: April 15 – June 6, 2008.
More information: 「熱き心展～寛斎元気主義～」 (Japanese only).
Access: Edo-Tokyo Museum: Access (English).

Photo: “Kabuki” stage costume for David Bowie (1973). ©Masayoshi Sukita, David Bowie collection.