Events

   From December 3rd through December 7th, the Aikobo Group and the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations co-hosted an art exhibition in the North Lobby of the UN Secretariat Building.

   Aikobo is a welfare organization in Japan for persons with disabilities. Currently, 68 people work for the organization to create indigo-dyed fabrics and braided cord, two traditional Japanese crafts. For this exhibit, Aikobo displayed eight large tapestries, two embroidered works and one sashiko.

   To mark the opening of this exhibit, an opening reception was held in the North Lobby on December 3rd, in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This reception opened with a demonstration of how to make braided cord by Ms. Mika Hirako, who lives with a mental disability.  Ambassador Yoshikawa and Ms. Mutsuko Takenouchi, Aikobo’s Founder, then gave welcoming remarks, which were followed with a toast by Mr. Kiyomi Mikuni, Owner/Chef of Hotel De Mikuni in Tokyo.

   More than 100 people were in attendance at the reception, including H.E. Mr. John W. Ashe, President of 68th Session of the General Assembly. Many guests left the reception with a greater appreciation for the Aikobo Group. The reception was widely covered by the Japanese media.

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View of the Ehxibition

View of the Ehxibition

Demonstration of Braiding Process

Ambassador Yoshikawa makes his opening remarks

Ms. Takeuchi, President of Aikobo, makes her speech at the opening ceremony

Wide View of Opening Reception