The Okura Tokyo’s Opening Ceremony

The Historic Moment In Images

September, 2019

Four years after the announcement of Hotel Okura’s Main Wing closure, the new adjacent towers under the consolidated title The Okura Tokyo were unveiled in an Opening Ceremony with special honorary guest HIH Princess Takamado, Architect Yoshio Taniguchi and Okura Executives. After an official ribbon cut, the ceremony continued with a noh Performance in the Main Lounge, led by Noh Master Kiyokazu Kanze (the 36th Grand Master of the Kanze School) in a poignant and reflective performance. The moment seemed to symbolise a progression yet an ongoing preservation of Japan’s traditions that continue to shape past, present and future of a cultural identity. Photographer Vien Tran documents the monumental event with Champ Editor In Chief Joanna Kawecki.

Entrance | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

Entrance | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | © Vien Tran

Preparations | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | © Vien Tran

Architect Yoshio Taniguchi Looks On | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike arrives | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

Honoured Guest Princess Takamado | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | © Vien Tran

Making It Official: The Ribbon Cut | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Ribbon Cut | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

From Left; President Hotel Okura Tokyo Masaharu Naruse, Architect Yoshio Taniguchi, Director Taisei Corporation Takashi Yamauchi, Chairman Hotel Okura Yoshihiko Okura, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, President Hotel Okura Yoshihiro Ogita, President Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Yasuhiko Imaizumi, Chairman Hotel Okura Tokyo Masaki Ikeda, General Manager Hotel Okura Tokyo Shinji Uehara | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

Hotel Okura Tokyo President Masaharu Naruse with Architech Yoshio Taniguchi | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | © Vien Tran

The First Guest Through The Doors, HIH Princess Takamado | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

NOH Performers from the Kanze School | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

NOH Master Kiyokazu Kanze | The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | Photo: © Vien Tran (2019)

The Okura Tokyo | Opening Ceremony | © Vien Tran

The Okura Tokyo
Opening Ceremony
12.09.2019

Photography: Vien Tran
Words: Joanna Kawecki

September, 2019

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The Okura Tokyo’s Opening Ceremony

The Historic Moment In Images