31 Jan 2008

Cranes in Japanese Culture



Konbanwa!

I have been a bit sick since last weekend so that I was not able to update my blog as often as before.
I am not a person who can not stick to anything for very long. (It is called as "Mikka-Bouzu")

Today, I am going to talk about cranes as you can see a beautiful cranes on a kimono above.
It is called "Tsuru" in Japanese.
The tsuru has been long regarded as auspicious Japanese birds and a popular symbol of longevity, as attested by saying "The tsuru can live for a thousand years and the kame (tortoise) for ten thousands".So we use the symbol of the tsuru for anything in which is occasional and cultural such as family crest, confections, trademarks and particularly a motif of kimono.


Moreover, there is a body of "crane wife" legends, more less a fairytale, that a captive crane, in return for being freed by a youth, turns into a maiden and marries him.
To marry her, there was a strong promise that he would never see what she was doing in her room at any night. it was the only promise.
Then He promised it with her.One day, the husband wondered how she could make such a beautiful kimono with a weaver at night.Because, her kimonos were absolutely beautiful and many people wanted it.

Another day, he was just trying to glance at how she made it even though it was prohibited.

Surprisingly, what he saw was that "she is a crane and using her own feathers in order to weave those beautiful kimonos."

26 Jan 2008

Ceramic Ware

Konbanwa!

Today, I am going to talk about "Japanese ceramic".This is the fact that Japans prehistoric periods such as the Jomon or Yayoi period, are referred to by the name of the earthenware of the time as it can be seen that Japan has such a tradition of making ceramics.
In the fifth and sixth centuries, Japanese artistic ceramics ware was hugely influenced by the introduction of techniques from China and Korea and by visits of skilled craftsmen from those countries. After this period of foreign influence had ended up, the art began to follow its own unique path of development and popularization.

While ceramic ware is referred to as "china" in English, it is referred to as setomono in Japan. This is because the area around Seto city in Aichi prefecture is famous for this ceramic ware. This region has been making fine ceramic ware since the thirteenth century at the Kamakura era.Then, it came to the Muromachi era, dishes, basins and bowls had become popular products its Northern area, Mino city.Other representative artistic pottery of the present day is shown such as Kyoyaki, Rakuyaki, Shinoyaki, Satsumayaki and Oribeyaki. Actually, my hometown "Tokamachi" is a place where one of the oldest earthenware has recently been found.

Typical porcelain include Aritayaki, Kiyomizuyaki and Kutaniyaki.There is plentiful supply of the right materials, and highly skilled ceramists at the traditional kilns in each district create countless beautiful pieces.The photo above shows that one of our local ceramists "Setsuzan Hosaka" made.It is an excellent and beautiful work.


Link

  • Japanese pottery and porcelain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_pottery_and_porcelain

25 Jan 2008

Japanese Tea Ceremony

"Drinking Japanese green tea " is an art form in which it has taken a simple and everyday activitiy.

It is so called "Cha no yu" or preferably "Sado", the cult is the traditional Japanese way of drinking green tea in accordance with set rules of etiquette and a tea ceremony room.

Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness in using variety of tea ceremony items during the ceremony. The cult was completed by Rikyu Sen who was the considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on the Japanese tea ceremony, especially the tradition of wabi-cha in the Azuchi-Momoyama era in the latter half of the sixteenth century.

In the tea ceremony, green tea is made by putting powdered tea leaves with tea spoon so called "Cha-syaku" from a powdered tea container so called "Natsume" into a tea bowl so called "Cha-ki" then pouring hot water by a dipper so called "Hisyaku". It is then stirred till foamy with a whisk so call "Cha-sen" and served, eventually drunk up.

The taste of green tea for the tea ceremony is slightly bitter than other Japanese tea. However, it does a good match with a Japanese sweet in which is served during the ceremony.

The etiquette of the tea ceremony concerns the manner in which the host usually serves the guests fine aromatic tea in a traditional tea bowl, is made of ceramics, of exquisite beauty, and the manner in which guests show their appreciation.

How the guests do is that they lift up the tea bowl after drinking it then bowing their thanks to the host in the way they accept the tea.

The tea ceremony etiquette has been influenced by the etiquette observed by the "Samurai" classes as well as by the one of classical Japanese art forms of "noh" dances. In turn, the tea cult has greatly influenced traditional Japanese customs and manners. Inner sprit is considered more important than the ritual form in the tea cult, and the heart of the tea ceremony lies in the selfless manners in which the host serves green tea to the guests.

In inviting the guests to a tea ceremony, the host always takes utmost care in the preparation of his / her tea ceremony room, the adjacent Japanese-style garden, tea utensils and the provision of simple dishes for the guests in the tea ceremony room. Although a person who invited to a tea ceremony for the first time is well advised to acquire some knowledge about the cult beforehand, till he should remember that the most important thing is the way guests express their sense of gratitude for the hospitality shown them by the host.

Links

  • Rikyu Sen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sen_no_Riky%C5%AB

  • Japanese Tea Ceremony

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony


24 Jan 2008

Japanese exhibition in Scotland




Hello.

This is my first blog and I am going to write about the Japanese exhibition, has been running in the UK at the moment. (I am on the photograph above)

As I am one of main contributors for this cultural event, so called "A Glimpse of the floating world" showing Japanese art of the 19th century.

I provide an antique kimono, over 100 years ago in the Meiji era just after the Japanese Restration in 1867 in which you can find more detail below as well as Japanese tea ceremony items in following blogs coming up shortly.


The kimono on display at this museum was worn as part of the Japanese wedding celebration and was designed for the bride to wear on her way home from the wedding ceremony. The style and the colour of the kimono ensured that everyone who saw the new bride in this garment would understand the special occasion.”

Link

  • Meiji Restration
  • kimono

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono

  • Perth Museum and Art Gallery

http://www.pkc.gov.uk/Education+and+learning/Museums+and+galleries/Perth+Museum+and+Art+Gallery/

Please accept that my English may not be understandable for you.

(I try to improve it!! )