　It’s been more than 30 years since I first sent my work to the UNESCO art exhibition. Time flies! That was in 1969 or 1970, when the exhibition was at such a high-level that only well-known artists could exhibit their work. I painted just as a hobby and so thought the exhibition was out of my reach. This is understandable since it has a brilliant history. The first exhibition was held at the Tokyu Toyoko Department Store where about 20 Meguro artists exhibited their work. They

included Masahiko Katori (a living national treasure), Yoshizumi Yokoe, Satoshi Ogawa, Morisuke Komoda, Takeaki Tsukuda, Chikara Haga, Kyoichi Mochizuki, Kizan Itaka (the First), Yoshiaki Yasuhara, Shigeo Okabe, Hiroshi Itaka (later changed to Kizan) and others. Later, the Japan UNESCO Art Exhibition was held at the home store of Mitsukoshi Department Store, organised jointly with Kyoto UNESCO Association. Why was progress so great? It was because the group members who were professional artists, asked themselves how they could use their art to contribute to UNESCO movements. Their efforts have assumed the shape of the UNESCO ART Exhibition.

I was so lucky to join, thanks to the recommendation by the late Satoru Ogawa, then leader of the UNESCO Art Club and art teacher for Meisei Metropolitan High School. He taught me drawing and many other things at the UNESCO art school. Ms. Isako Kato (the mother of the current president), then president, opened the art exhibition to all members and consequently joint exhibitions of professional and non-professional artists came to be held. I associated myself with the cause and have been doing my poor best, with collaboration from the current president Ms. Reiko Kato, director Mr. Segawa, director Ms. Hamada, and others.

Various people, irrespective of age and sex, sent their work to this year’s exhibition. Articles on the exhibition included a photograph by the mayor of Meguro City Mr. Yakushiji, pictures by grade school pupils, work by American school students, ceramic work by professional artists like Mr. Kizan Itaka and so many others.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for being able to select at liberty from numerous works exhibited for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American School. I also thank Mr. Ki Nimori for contributing the article carried separately.