This is a treasure box of Kinutani’s memories from the Showa era. The artist comments, “War is finished, time has passed, and Peko-chan in overalls and I am happy.” Kinutani was born in a high-class Japanese restaurant that ran its business until the early Showa era. Politicians, writers and artists gathered at the restaurant to engage in heated discussions about culture and enjoy the performances by the geishas. France’s minister of cultural affairs, André Malraux, was amongst the visitors of this restaurant. Growing up in such an environment, the young Kinutani searched for a place where he could feel comfortable, and eventually found a toy that became the healer of his childhood loneliness.
Commentary
This is a treasure box of Kinutani’s memories from the Showa era. The artist comments, “War is finished, time has passed, and Peko-chan in overalls and I am happy.” Kinutani was born in a high-class Japanese restaurant that ran its business until the early Showa era. Politicians, writers and artists gathered at the restaurant to engage in heated discussions about culture and enjoy the performances by the geishas. France’s minister of cultural affairs, André Malraux, was amongst the visitors of this restaurant. Growing up in such an environment, the young Kinutani searched for a place where he could feel comfortable, and eventually found a toy that became the healer of his childhood loneliness.