Remarks by Consul General Yoshi Kamo 

at the Lecture by Mr. Akihiko Izukura at UH Manoa

January 17, 2012

 Good Evening! Thank you for having me here and giving me a chance to speak at the outset of the lecture by Mr. Akihiko Izukura, visiting textile & dyeing artist from Japan. It is indeed great to see so many people are here with us in this auditorium. I have never seen this great turn out here for a lecture. This is a feat of publicity he won since he came to Honolulu. Media coverage of his art and exhibitions has been done very extensively and actually that is what he needs in order to make his month long exhibitions successful both at UH and the Lilikona Center.

 Obviously we are eager to listen to what the artist has to say on his art this evening. I have to tell you that you will enjoy his lecture very much. I have attended his lecture before when he held his exhibition in San Antonio several years ago. He impressed me with his words, first and foremost. I was enchanted by his talk because it revealed the very original philosophy he employed with in his quest of art, life, and harmony with nature. I really look forward to hearing his lecture once again and hope you will be both educated and entertained.

 I appreciate UH for providing us an opportunity to get to know the artist better and deeper by letting the artist speak his mind on his artistic beliefs and achievements. Let us enjoy his talk, as his words will best help us appreciate his works of art. Thank you.