Photo= Long-established store's history is conveyed at the Chiso Exhibition with displays such as the masterpiece folding screen painting, "Hozugawa-zu Byobu," and other items (January 5, The Museum of Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto)

Prior to the opening of the exhibition "Chiso 460-nen no Rekishi: Kyoto Shinise no Bunkashi," or Chiso’s 460-year history: the cultural history of a long-established Kyoto store, which is sponsored by Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. and other organizations, a special appreciation event was held at the Museum of Kyoto in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto on January 5. It conveys the course of the long-established store, exhibiting historical materials, folding screens from the museum collections, short-sleeved kimonos and other items.

Chiso was founded by the first Chikiriya-yozaemon who started a clerical garment business during the Koji Era of the late Muromachi Period, and has also expanded into a "Yuzen" kimono business since the late Edo Period. During the Meiji Period in which the social environment changed significantly, Chiso paved an innovative way through the era, including interactions with artists in the Kyoto art world, the introduction of elaborate embroidery and velvet Yuzen kimonos, and so on.

"Chikidai," or a flower stand for rituals, which is the origin of the shop's name, the family tree, Todai-ji Temple's purveyor license and other items show its history. Furthermore, there are eye-catching, collected items such as the Important Cultural Properties "Hozugawa-zu Byobu," or folding screen paintings depicting the Hozu River, and "Shasei Zukan," or sketched pictorial scrolls, both of which were painted by Okyo Maruyama and handed down for the future of craftsmanship, and attractive short-sleeved kimonos.

The exhibition is from January 6 and February 11. There is an admission fee. From January 20, excellent pieces of work produced by Chiso in the Meiji Period will also be exhibited at the Chiso Gallery in Karasumanishi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, at no fee. Both exhibitions are closed on Mondays.