This exhibition provides an introduction to the work of graphic designer Ikko Tanaka (1930-2002), who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2020. Born in Nara, Tanaka played a key role in the evolution of postwar Japanese design, elevating the aesthetic sensibilities seen in rinpa and traditional performing art to the realm of modern design. Tanaka's work is varied. The exhibition features 271 pieces, comprised primarily of posters and graphic art exemplary of Tanaka's attitude, eloquence and creative energy with which he has communicated Japanese culture through design.

Issey Miyake's relationship with Tanaka began in the 1960s with the publication of his first anthology, 'ISSEY MIYAKE: East meets West' (1978), which Tanaka both proposed and led. Their long-lasting relationship based in mutual admiration and respect also resulted in many of the posters for the Miyake collections and exhibitions.

In addition to Tanaka’s works "NIHON BUYO" and "The 200th Anniversary of SHARAKU", this exhibition includes two haori coats with motifs from those works. The coats were created as part of the "IKKO TANAKA ISSEY MIYAKE" project that began in 2016 and expresses Tanaka's art through the medium of clothes. Also on display are posters for Miyake exhibitions designed by Tanaka.

Items by Issey Miyake on display:
"NIHON BUYO" IKKO TANAKA ISSEY MIYAKE, 2016
"SHARAKU" IKKO TANAKA ISSEY MIYAKE, 2016

Posters by TANAKA related to ISSEY MIYAKE on display:
From collection of the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art
"NIHON BUYO" 1981
"The 200th Anniversary of SHARAKU" 1995

From collection of DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion
Poster of "ISSEY MIYAKE A ŪN" exhibition, 1988 Poster of "ISSEY MIYAKE: PLEATS PLEASE" exhibition, 1990 Poster of "ISSEY MIYAKE: TEN SEN MEN" exhibition, 1990