2/26, 2016,　at the International House of Japan, Iwasaki Koyata Hall

Time has gone so quickly. On February 8 last year, Chairman Mr.Ekuan passed away. At Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall of International House of Japan on February 26, 2016, the gathering for the memory of late Mr. Ekuan was held. Started in the midst of past war burnt out ruins, Chairman, as a self-claimed young designer, had kept running in the way he carved. All gathered offered flowers at the altar, having late Chairman’s portrait put up, in the hall into where warm spring early sunlight shining. Mr.Ekuan’s photo looked like pouring his constant smile all over the venue.

The address of Mr. Tetsuo Matsumoto, representative of Kenmochi Design Associates and the promoter of the meeting, followed the first image projection commemorating Mr. Ekuan. Mr. Matsumoto, same age with Mr.Ekuan, eagerly talked his cherishing rich memories of the student days with Kenji. Mr. Kazuo Kimura, the former president of Japan Industrial Designers’ Association (JIDA), addressed of the toast to the memory of Mr. Ekuan after introduced all out the effort of international design movement with him.

More than a hundred fifty people attended the meeting were exchanging nostalgic talks with late Mr. Ekuan’s eighty-five years for the development of design world. After appealed for the effort of succeeding Mr. Ekuan’s thoughts and spirit that he handed to us, Mr. Kazuo Tanaka, president of JIDA, noticed the closure of the event with thanks for the attendance. With the pamphlet and sweets given away for the memory of late Mr. Kenji Ekuan, the people made their way home in knots. The trees in the garden of the memorial hall, started stretching a long shadow like “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.”

Time: 15:00 – 17:00, Friday, February 26, 2016
Venue: Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall, International House of Japan (Roppongi, Tokyo)
Organizer: Organizing Committee for Reception in Memory of the late Kenji Ekuan
Collaborators: Japan Industrial Designers’ Association (JIDA), GK Design Group