Kimono exhibit to open in Canton

CANTON (AP) — An exhibit of kimonos considered to be artistic masterworks opens Sunday at the Canton Museum of Art.

“Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota,” includes 40 oversized kimono featuring patterns inspired by nature.

The show also includes a video presentation of the artist’s life and work. It runs until April 26.

Kubota spent a year creating each kimono. He had hoped to make 75 to form a tapestry of the garments, but he died in 2003 after completing 30 pieces. His family carries on his work.

The kimonos are coming to Canton because of a personal connection to W.R. Timken, a former ambassador to Germany and member of the founding family of the Timken Company, a Canton-based manufacturer of industrial products and steel. Timken visited Kubota’s museum in Japan in 2004 and met the artist’s son. Their acquaintance paved the way for the show in Canton.

Canton will also host KIMONOFest during the exhibit’s run, including Japanese tea ceremonies, calligraphy and martial arts demonstrations, a March 22 sumo wrestling demonstration and a children’s kite-flying festival.

Admission to the exhibit is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children 5-12.