Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store is hosting the "Wonder Mask Art Museum" throughout the entire store, from August 27th, the start of the fall shopping season, through September 9th. Masks are featured throughout the store, showcasing new fall fashions. Noh masks and ethnic masks are on display in the central hall on the first floor of the main building (until September 2nd), and even a lion statue "disguised" in a mask is on display. Under the theme "Meet the New You in Autumn," the store focuses on masks as a way to approach fall fashion, symbolizing "transformation" and "changing your usual self." The aim is to convey the autumn season to shoppers with surprise and delight by showcasing a wide variety of mask art in store decorations and events. On the fashion floor, approximately 400 mannequins wear masks designed by designers and sales staff from each shop, showcasing this season's new styling alongside the masks. A giant mask gate has been installed at the entrance (Lion Gate) on the first floor of the main building, and the Mitsukoshi lion statue there is disguised in a gold mask like those used at masquerade balls to welcome shoppers. A "Mask Bar" has also been set up at the entrance, where shoppers can wear their favorite masks and take photos, attracting a lively crowd of shoppers. The central hall on the first floor of the main building features exhibits including works by Noh mask maker Tatsuya Arai, a rare mask collection from Asia, Europe, and America by Fuji Masaku, a private mask collector and director of the Mobile Museum, and original masks designed by stage costume designer Keiko Shibata. A store PR representative commented, "Masks and masks appear in rituals and games that allow humans to feel a connection with the mystical. Just as masks have been used since ancient times to switch between the ordinary and the extraordinary, we hope you will enjoy new autumn fashions and change your mood." During the event, the store will be cooperating with the Mitsui Memorial Museum of Art's "Noh Masks and Costumes Exhibition" (running until September 21st) to hold a talk show by Arai Tatsuya and a curator from the Mitsui Bunko (August 30th, from 1pm) in the central hall on the first floor of the museum. There will also be performances by the Gagaku Doyukai, sponsored by Ryoo (August 30th, from 12:30pm and 3:30pm).