The Shibenkamon Wall

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The Decorations to Discover the Okura

2019.8.27

The Rebirth of the Shibenkamon and Nishikibari at The Okura Tokyo

The Shibenkamon Wall

The Orchid Flowers by Kenkichi Tomimoto will reappear on the Tatsumura Art Textile’s Tsuzure-Nishiki

Okura’s aesthetic sense can be found from the textile designs, which are carefully woven one by one using selected strings. One example is the Shibenkamon-Orinarikabe (Orchid Pattern Woven Wall), a posthumous craftwork by the living national treasure and master of ceramic arts, Kenkichi Tomimoto. Each Shibenka (Japanese native orchids) are hand woven on the Tsuzure-Nishiki (Pure Silk Tapestry) and set on the walls similar to Byobu (Folding Screens). The original production was done by the Tatsumura Art Textiles in Kyoto’s Nishijin area. The guests and visitors of the Okura have remembered the hotel with this Shibenka lightened by the Okura Lanterns. This year, the Shibenka will return to the Okura with Tomimoto’s original measurements and the production will be done by the same Tatsumura Art Textiles.

The Nishikibari is decorated by collaging with Nishiki The Nishikibari is decorated by collaging with Nishiki

The Nishikibari is decorated by collaging with Nishiki

Another craftwork which cannot be forgotten as the history of Okura is the Nishikibari placed on the walls of Heian Banquet Hall. This work was inspired by the Kin-Ginran-Donsu-To-Nuiawase-Doufuku (Gold and Silver Brocaded Satin Damask Patchwork Coat), a national treasure from the Muromachi Era, currently preserved at the Uesugi Shrine. The banquet hall’s Nishikibari uses about hundred varieties of restored fabrics including ones from 1300 years ago and Nishiki (Silk), Kinginran (Gold and Silver Brocade) and Donsu (Damask) from the 14th century to 16th century.


The elevator design originates from the Gokaibishi (Five-Layered Diamonds) which is the family emblem of the Okura Family. The diamond patterned Nishikibari is used to decorate the elevator. The elevator design originates from the Gokaibishi (Five-Layered Diamonds) which is the family emblem of the Okura Family. The diamond patterned Nishikibari is used to decorate the elevator.

The elevator design originates from the Gokaibishi (Five-Layered Diamonds) which is the family emblem of the Okura Family. The diamond patterned Nishikibari is used to decorate the elevator.

The decorations are designed with various colors, pattern combinations, bold lines and exquisite open spaces. Even the flat surfaces have vibrance and rich depth created from the collages. The guests and visitors of Okura have enjoyed the decorations full of Japanese abstract expressions also as artworks.

The Shibenkamon will be placed on the 5th Floor Lobby of the Okura Prestige Tower and the Nishikibari will be placed on the 5th Floor Lobby of  Okura Heritage Wing.

Text by Noriko Kawakami
Photography by © The Okura Tokyo

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