The French trunkmaker teams up with legendary Japanese artist Kazumasa Nagai to mark a generational moment in Kabuki.
Kabuki stands as one of Japan’s most revered performing arts. Defined by elaborate costumes, highly stylized movement, and music-driven storytelling, it is both a visual spectacle and a cultural cornerstone. First appearing in the early 17th century, Kabuki has continued to evolve while preserving its core traditions, earning recognition from UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Within this world, few names carry as much weight as Onoe Kikugorō. Since the 18th century, the name has been passed down through generations, each successor inheriting not only a title but a responsibility to uphold and advance the art form. With the recent succession of the eighth-generation Onoe Kikugorō, the family enters a new chapter, one that balances innovation with deep respect for tradition.
To mark this milestone, Moynat partnered with Kazumasa Nagai, one of Japan’s most influential graphic designers, to create a ceremonial theatre curtain honoring the Kikunosuke lineage. The collaboration brings together a historic French maison and a master of Japanese visual culture, united by a shared belief in craftsmanship, symbolism, and cultural continuity.
The curtain’s imagery draws from Renjishi (The Dual Lions), one of Kabuki’s most iconic dance performances, often associated with themes of inheritance, strength, and transformation. Alongside it appears Mount Fuji, reinterpreted through Moynat’s signature “M” motif. The result is a careful dialogue between Kabuki iconography and the brand’s visual language, neither overpowering the other.
The curtain was unveiled at Kyoto’s Minamiza Theatre on Shijō Street, one of Kabuki’s most historic venues. Rather than serving as a purely decorative element, it becomes part of the theatrical ritual itself, setting the tone before the performance begins.
More than a one-off design gesture, the project reflects a shared approach to heritage. Like Kabuki, Moynat’s history is rooted in tradition, but sustained through adaptation. By working with Kazumasa Nagai, the Maison underscores the idea that cultural legacy isn’t preserved by standing still, but by finding thoughtful ways to carry it forward.
About the Author
