JAPAN CULTURE NEWS

Art of Japanes sweets

Although many of us have heard of sushi, not much has been introduced about the Japanese sweets.  A blend of Chinese sweets from Tang Dynasty, Spanish and Portuguese sweets that were brought by missionaries in the 16th Century, and European confectionaries in the 19th Century was further molded into a unique Japanese style by confectionery artisans in Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) between the 17th and 19yh Century.  Red beans, ingredient often used for Wagashi, are rich in polyphenol and minerals as well as protein, vitamins, calcium, etc. Wagashi, or Japanese sweets, evoke a seasonal image and each piece of genuine Wagashi is hand-made using only finger tips and bamboo spatula. In spring, artisans may be aspired by cherry blossoms, in summer, a river stream, in autumn, coloring leaves, and in winter camellia, snow, and the like. The naming of Wagashi has own pedigree from flowers, birds, the Moon, the four seasons, waka and haiku, history, and so forth.  Doll Festival on March 3 and Boy’s Festival on May 5, praying for healthy growth of their sons and daughters as healthcare in old days were not as optimistic as now are celebrated with different Wagashi for each occasion.  For Doll Festival, diamond shaped rice cakes, or hishimochi, accompany a set of dolls dressed in 12 layers of kimono costumes that were worn in the royal court during Heian Period about 1,100 years ago, drawers, lamps, painted with lacquer, and white sake.  Three layers of hishimochi in pink, green, and white represent health, charm against evil and sanctitude, and express from the snow of white cake, young leaves of green rice cake will grow to form peach branch of pink rice cake.  On Children’s Day, or Boy’s Festival, special rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves are eaten, families fly carp streamers outdoors, and armor is displayed.  Characteristics of oak that old leaves do not fall until new leaves sprout symbolized a wish to be gifted with children. Nowadays, automated machineries pursue effectiveness of mass production.  As an integral part of the traditional tea ceremony, the art of Wagashi represents another side of Japan. 

ChildFund Japan holds Peace Charity Concert at Opera City

Ms. Sumine Hayashibara, an internationally known violinist, will be playing in 2nd Peace Charity Concert organized by ChildFund Japan, a grassroots driven international development NGO, at Ohmigaku Hall, Opera City, on Saturday April 12, 2008, in auspicious of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and the Welfare Council of Suginami Ward.  Proceeds of the concert will be contributed to the poverty stricken children in Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka through programs extended by ChildFund Japan, a member of ChildFund Alliance.  The most popular small pieces composed for violin by Elgar, Kreisler, Sarasate, Bach, and Ms. Kiku Hayashibara will be played, accompanied by a pianist, Ms. Yumiko Honda. For more information or tickets, please call 03-3399-8123 (9:30-17:30 Mon.-Fri. Ono/Isogai, ChildFund Japan).   

Time & Date:  19:00 (open from 18:30 - ), Saturday, April 12, 2008
Location: Ohmigaku Hall, Tokyo Opera City 3F (1 minute on foot from Hatsudai St., Keio Line)
Fee:  4,000 Yen

Takemitsu Society celebrates tenth anniversary!

This year, 2007, marks the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Takemitsu Society in London. It was on 23 November 2007, thanks to the generous support of Daiwa Foundation Japan House, that the Society was launched with a screening of the Masaki Kobayashi film Kwaidan, with music by Japanese composer Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996). Since then the Society has arranged regular concerts, film shows, lectures, two one-day seminars, a newsletter and even a concert in Tokyo to promote the music of the most famous of all Japanese composers. At one memorable Christmas party we even attempted to realise some of his own recipes (verdict: edible!)

To commemorate these first ten years of the Society’s existence, and once again thanks to the help of the Daiwa Foundation, the Society is shortly to hold two special events at the Foundation’s beautiful premises facing London’s Regent’s Park. On Friday 28 September 2007, as part of an Open Day at Japan House, members of the Society have been invited to set up a stall to inform the public about our activities and, perhaps, play some music (11:00-15:00). The real anniversary celebrations take place on Monday 26 November, though, with no less than two Society events on one day: a lunchtime concert featuring the composer’s music, and a less formal evening celebration looking back over the ten years of the Society’s existence. All events are open to the general public, and will be held Daiwa Foundation Japan House, 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1. If you’d like to know more details about either event, or about the Society’s activities, then contact our website at www.geocities.com/takemitsu_soc – and if you feel like joining us in helping to promote Takemitsu’s music, you’ll be very welcome!

                                                                          By Dr. Peter Burt, Co-founder of Takemitsu Society

Sony releases personal field speaker

Sony announced that it will release on October 20 the totally new concept of personal speakers, “PFR-V1,” which is mounted like headphones.  By putting small cubic speakers diagonally forward to the ears will allow clear sound to stretch out in front of the listener, and the newly developed “Extended Bass Reflex Duct” that outshoot from the speaker to touch directly the ear canals will provide dramatic bass sound.  Other than music, the innovative listening style for the home movie and games is proposed.  PFR-V1 pursued small and light body for easier mount and high quality sound; high quality materials are adopted in many parts.  Lastly, by minimizing the size and adopting a cubic shape for speaker cabinets, high quality sound with reduced noise is realized.   

Jakuchu’s swallows flying home after 160 years

  Kotohiragu Shrine will exhibit cultural heritage of the mural and fusuma arts from October 1, 2007, following the exhibition in Tokyo.  Epoch-making exhibition with 130 paintings by leading artists, Okyo, Jakuchu, and Gantai, in the late part of Edo Period will recreate magnificent interior space in traditional Japanese style.  Jakuchu Ito（1716-1800）established an unique convention through fusion of extraordinary composition and the color pattern based on realistic description from nature observation and powerful imagination.
Kotohiragu Shrine announced that five pieces of swallow drawings by Jakuchu shall return to its original home after 160 years.  Other than his existing “Hundred Flower Drawing,” produced in 1764, the entire house of Okushoin was decorated by Jakuchu’s paintings, according to the record.  After 80 years in 1844, Jakuchu’s paintings were replaced by Gantai except for the Hundred Flower Drawing.  On this occasion, the mural painting, the “Bowing Willow Drawing” with five swallows had managed to escape of being disposed and five pieces of swallow drawings were cut out to be kept at a temple.

Japanese art

Flower eating birds of Shosoin

Nara National Museum will open the 59th Shosoin Exhibition between October 27 and November 12.  Shosoin which is under the custody of the Imperial Agency of Japan with approximately 9,000 treasures shows us a glimpse of Tenpyo Culture of Nara Period (710-794).  Among 70 treasures to be exhibited for this year, 17 are appearing the public for the first time.  Painted treasures and those with exquisite patterned motif expression, items that belonged to Emperor and Empress, and stationeries of Tenpyo era are featured． 
In the jet-black world of the octangular mirror, golden and silver flower eating birds, based on Tang motif loved by royalty and aristocracy of Sessanian Persia, namely phoenix, cranes, and long-tailed birds, flowers, and butterflies float.  It is interesting to note that this black lacquer mirror had been stolen several times according to the record in 1039, 1230, 1328, and 1610.  It was on October 27, 1230, when eight mirrors were stolen and a thief who was caught a month later had broken the octangular mirror into 14 pieces and hidden them in Todaiji, the main temple of  Buddhism Kegon sect in Nara, because the thief could not find the buyer.  Todaiji had been holding onto those 14 pieces and kept the record for over 600 years until Meiji Period.  In the mid-Meiji Period, the remains of 14 pieces were complemented by two pieces of silver to be restored into its original shape and condition.  Flower eating birds did not always live in tranquility.   

Japanese art

MoMA museum shop opens in Tokyo

On November 2, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, will open its first museum shop, “MoMA Design Store,” in Omotesando, Tokyo with 1,800 exclusive items for sale.  MoMA first started an online store in 2004 for the Japanese market with Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., and will also open a wedding gift salon that was much in demand online.  Its interior will be designed by The Gluckman Mayner Architects with a different approach from that of New York while inheriting the design concept of exterior of the GYRE Building that resembles rotated blocks.  The shop will handle permanent collections, exclusive items, furniture and interior goods, kitchen goods, jewelries, watches, travel goods, books, posters, and other design goods.  In addition, updates on MoMA will be provided and various events to be launched.  Channel, Bulgari, and a wine bistro, Le Pre Verre are on other floors of the building owned by Takenaka Corporation.    

Cleanse away the West Hongwanji Temple of Kyoto with plum vinegar

The main temple of Shin Buddhism Otani sect, the West Hongwanji in Kyoto will use one ton of plum vinegar to cleanse away approximately 9,000 clasps inside the Grand Mausoleum of Shinran Shonin (1173-1262) who is the founder of Shin Buddhism.  As a result of exhaustive tests using chemicals, it has turned out that the ancient method that has been passed down for many generations of craftsmen to use plum vinegar was the best way.  The operation will start from August 28. 
Since the 1st Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa in Edo Period had donated a piece of land to the 12th shonin in 1602, the West Hongwanji  has remained at the current location.  The Grand Mausoleum, the largest wooden architecture in the world, was re-built in Meiji era between 1880 and 1895 after experiencing four fire during Edo Period.    　
Plum vinegar is acidic juice produced when a stone is put to weight on salted Japanese apricots, pickled plums “umeboshi.”  There has been a concern over high salt content to cause rust, however, it has turned out the traditional method was scientifically proved right and the use of chemicals has harmful effect on the art crafts except for those on the ceiling.      

Hokusai’s folding screen painting found after 65 years

After 65 years, the “Farming of Four Seasons” painted on folding screens by Katsuhika Hokusai which was once owned by an English architect from London, Josiah Conder (1852 – 1920), was confirmed of its existence.  Following the auction in Denmark in 1942, the work was reported missing, but an art dealer in Tokyo has purchased the folding screen which was then examined by an university art professor who confirmed the folding screen is authentic.  Also, the painting matched that on Condor’s art catalogue auctioned in June 1942.  Condor who was invited to teach at the University of Tokyo became a pupil of a renowned painter, Kyosai Kawanabe, and painted in a Japanese style under the name of kyoei.  After Condor’s death, most of his collection of Japanese arts was sold.
The work represents unusual aspect of Hokusai as the master rarely painted rural villages.  “There are less than ten folding screen paintings by Hokusai existing, and there is only one other painting of rural village known to us, so this is a rare discovery for our future research on Hokusai,” said Professor Kobayashi of Gakushuin University.  Four seasons are tactfully depicted in a six panel screen (107cm x 292cm), from the celebration of the New Year, preparation for the rice cultivation, rice planting, and to harvesting. 

Ancient jewelries and accessories

Simple but tranquility surrounds the archeological finds from Jomon era (2600 B.C.-300 B.C.) that are exhibited in a style of jewelry store in Saitama, just outskirt of Tokyo.　　Next to jade beads decorated by flowers and objects, a necklace made of shell sits quietly.  Approximately 200 pieces of Jomon ware and jewelries excavated from more than 40 archeological sties in Saitama are exhibited sponsored by Saitama Archeological Research Foundation.  Large jade beads, a pendant made of green stones, a pair of clay-made earrings, shell necklaces, and many others are hanged on stands with price tags where each site name is indicated.