KINUTANI Art Place Hiroo Educational Program 002:
Creating the Twenty-First Room——A Workshop on Making and Appreciating Koji Kinutani’s Arabesque
Arabesque is a series of 20 fresco murals created by Koji Kinutani. Installed in 1985 at the entrance of the National Children’s Castle theater on Aoyama-dori in Shibuya, it has been cherished by many over the years. This workshop is an invitation to immerse yourself in the dreamlike world of the work—a realm transcending time and space—while connecting historical expressions from 1985 to the present day through new creative efforts.
Geometric “rooms” appear repeatedly throughout Arabesque. Although framed within identical structural outlines, each of the 20 scenes unveils an entirely distinct world. Focusing on these iconic frames, participants will create their own “21st Room.” Feel free to give form to whatever comes to mind—whether it be a landscape in your heart, an imaginary world, or things you love right now.
After completing your piece, we will gather all the created “rooms” for a group appreciation session. By putting your creative thoughts and choices into words and viewing each other’s works, you will experience the core magic of Arabesque: how completely different worlds can emerge from the exact same frame.
This workshop is a wonderful opportunity for people of all generations to share the joy of seeing, feeling, and expressing. Come discover the rich variety of perspectives and artistic sensibilities that expand with every individual.
We welcome children, families, and adults attending on their own.
Past Workshop Photos
Event Overview
Event Title
KINUTANI Art Place Hiroo Educational Program 002:
Creating the Twenty-First Room——A Workshop on Making and Appreciating Koji Kinutani’s Arabesque
Date & Time
Sunday, November 22, 2026
1:00 PM–4:30 PM (scheduled)
Schedule
1:00 PM Registration opens (You may arrive anytime before 1:30 PM. After checking in, please feel free to view the exhibition at your leisure.)
1:30 PM–2:00 PM Gallery talk by the curator
2:00 PM–2:15 PM Projection mapping viewing
2:15 PM–3:30 PM Creative workshop session
3:30 PM–4:00 PM Artwork presentation and appreciation session (Viewing everyone’s completed “rooms”)
4:00 PM–4:30 PM Framing (Staff will frame your artwork) *While waiting, please feel free to view the exhibition and projection mapping.
Eligibility
Elementary school students and above
*Adults are also welcome to participate.
Participation Fee
¥1,500 (includes museum admission)
*Please pay on the day of the event. The following payment methods are accepted: cash, credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover), PayPay, au PAY, QUICPay, iD, and transportation IC cards.
Workshop Content
Participants will create their artwork on drawing paper pre-printed with only the frame of a “room,” using materials such as pastels, watercolor pencils, crayons, and Posca markers.
Completed works will be framed and may be taken home. A frame is yours to keep—our gift to you!
*You are welcome to bring your own paper materials or cutouts to create a collage. However, please note that certain materials may be difficult to use, and adding overly three-dimensional items may prevent the artwork from being framed (collage materials are not provided on-site).
What to Bring
Nothing required.
*Paint will not be used; however, if you are concerned about getting dirty, please bring an apron or wear clothing that can get messy.
Capacity
16 participants (first-come, first-served)
How to Apply
Reservation is required for this event. Please apply using the form below.
*Applications will close once capacity is reached.
Application Guidelines
- Each group may apply for a maximum of 4 participants. Although the registration system allows selecting more than 4, please limit your application to 4 people or fewer per booking.
- Due to space limitations, accompanying non-participants (such as parents, guardians, or siblings) cannot be accommodated in the venue. If someone wishes to accompany you, please register them as an active participant.
Elementary school children must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian (at least one participating adult per group).
If you require an assistant or caregiver to accompany you, please inform us when applying. Assistants may enter free of charge. However, if the assistant wishes to participate in creating an artwork, the participation fee will apply. - After submitting the form, an automated reply email will be sent to your registered email address. Please note that your application is not complete at this stage.
As reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, we may unfortunately have to decline applications once capacity is reached. - We will notify you of your registration status via email within 3 business days (excluding weekends and national holidays). Your reservation is official only upon receipt of the “Confirmation Email.” Please be sure to check your inbox.
*If you do not receive an email from us after 3 business days and it is not in your spam folder, please contact us by email or phone.
**If you have set up spam filters or domain-specific email reception, please ensure you can receive emails from our domain:@kinutani-art.or.jp.
Important Information for Participants (Please Read)
- The museum cannot accept responsibility for any injuries, accidents, or personal trouble that may occur during the workshop.
- As materials are prepared specifically for registered participants, we kindly ask that you avoid cancellations whenever possible. If a cancellation is unavoidable, please notify us by email by 10:00 AM on the day of the event.
- During the event, staff will take photos and videos of the workshop activity and completed artworks for documentation, public relations (website, SNS, printed materials, etc.), and activity reports.
Photos or videos that do not identify individuals (such as shots of hands or from behind) may be published. We will never publish photos where personal faces or names are clearly identifiable without your explicit permission. - When taking photos during the event, please be mindful not to disturb other participants. If you post photos on social media, please ensure the privacy of others is protected by avoiding showing their faces.
- Although an elevator is available, there are stairs leading up to it that cannot be navigated by wheelchair. Please note that our facility is not fully barrier-free. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- For artwork preservation purposes, strollers/prams are not permitted in the 5th-floor exhibition room, and storage space is not available. We appreciate your understanding.
Venue
KINUTANI Art Place Hiroo
5F Takara Building, 5-25-4 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access
- 7 minutes on foot from Exit 1 or 2 of Hiroo Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- About 13 minutes by Toei Bus from Bus Stop No. 58 at the East Exit of Shibuya Station (JR), bound for Shimbashi-ekimae or Akabanebashi-ekimae; get off at Hiroo-Gochōme (Hiroo 5), then a 1-minute walk
Contact
Email: office［at］kinutani-art.or.jp
Organizer
Koji Kinutani Art Foundation
Cooperation
Palette Children’s Art Studio