TsukuBlog

Putting oneself through physical and/or mental hardship as a way of achieving spiritual growth has long been connected with Buddhism in Japan. That was why, when I arrived at the National Museum in Ueno on a sweltering spring morning, I did not find it inappropriate to have to wait outside in the sun for 90 minutes to get into the current exhibition — The Treasures of Yakushi-Ji Temple. Of course, upon first catching site of the impossibly long line, a winding python made up of thousands of senior citizens, I thought about heading for less crowded quarters. But I had had my heart strongly set on seeing this exhibition before it closed on June 8th, and anyway, I had certainly been made to wait even longer, at this very museum , many times before. It had almost always been worth it.

I imagined that most of the Buddhist art enthusiasts patiently waiting in line with me had already been to Nara and visited Yakushiji. I also came to the realization that if I had gotten on the shinkansen it would not take very much longer to reach the temple itself than it would to finally reach the entrance of the museum (though it would have been a BIT more expensive).

What the large crowds had been gathering for, every day for weeks already, was a look from behind. A look at the back-sides of 3 great Buddhist images whose backs are usually covered by ornate, body length, gilded halos or aureoles (光背, kohai). For this exhibition, these figures, most famously the bronze Bodhisatvas Nikko and Gakko, were separated from their back-stand halos allowing their elegantly molded posteriors to be gazed upon by anyone with a ticket and tough enough to endure the lines.

In addition to this rare chance to peek BEHIND the scenes, the exhibition featured treasures which have never been  displayed all at once.These are usually kept in Yakushi-Ji`s treasure house and  are

exhibited as individual pieces or sets at various times around the year.

Centuries of being imbued with the samurai virtues of patience and perseverence has clearly had a huge impact.Not a complaint could be heard from the sun-exposed crowd.Each visitor seemed to be in a heat induced daze by the time they reached the air-conditioned exhibition hall .

Then things really got difficult. All the pent up energy and bridled excitement seemed to burst forth in my elderly fellow museum-goers and it took strength and cunning to jockey myself into a position in which I could see any of the works on display.

This might sound like a nightmare, or a Buddhist version of hell, but  in fact it was fascinating and highly rewarding in many ways. For me observing the visitors and overhearing their comments was what probably sticks in my mind most. Since this was an exhibition of Buddhist works, and not just ART, it seemed to me that most of the visitors were trying their best to have a spiritual experience. Their GAZE was special, like that reserved for cherry blossom viewing or funerals. A typical exclamation that I heard among the crowds viewing the 3 meter tall bronze Boddhisatvas was: They really DO make me feel calm. (yappari miru to iyashi ni naru).

In terms of the works on display themselves, I was more impressed (in terms of beauty) by the three small figures (39cm) of the Hachiman Triad. I prefered them because they are carved from wood, and I have always felt that the Japanese sculptors often showed great genius when working in that medium. When such skillfully carved wooden pieces are aged more than a thousand years, the effect is mysterious and mesmerizing.

It is also of interest to note how Shinto Gods were early adopted into Buddhism, with Hachiman (the deified emperor Ojin) having early on become a protector of the new, imported faith.These figures are some of the earliest,if not THE earliest examples of Shinto sculpture(before Buddhism took hold the Gods had not been

represented as graven images). I can go ON and ON about each piece I saw. By why should you waste your time reading when you still have a few more days to see and experience for yourself.Or check the exhibition web-site.

I left the museum and its bookstore with  heavy feet and even heavier bag, and a light head and even lighter wallet.However, I really did feel serene(exhaustion?) sitting on TX reviewing what I had just seen in the excellent catalogue of the show.

Don’t let the lines deter you(bring some good books along). I guess that in the west we also have the notion of growth through hardship: you know NO PAIN, NO GAIN.

The exhibition will be on until June 8 at the National Museum in Ueno.

The 6th Michi no Ichi
(Bentencho Handmade Fair)

115 professional and amateur artists and businesses from various parts of Japan will participate in this event.

June 7 (Sat) from 10AM to 5PM
Events:
11:00 - Belly dance performance
13:00 - Bali dance performance, Istana Langit
14:00 – Belly dance performance
Other times: Amateur musician/band will be performing on the stage and street.

June 8 (Sun) from 10AM to 4PM
Events:
10:00 - Express Jazz Orchestra (Mito Tankidaigaku Fuzoku High School’s big band) performance
11:00 - Hakoda Apron Mamas Story Time for kids and “big” kids
12:00 – Performance by Inari Bayashi Preservation Group
13:00 – Shichido Kitsune (rakugo)
14:00 – Performance by “Maruchans”
Other times: Amateur musician/band will be performing on the stage and street.

Michi no Ichi website:
http://www.michino1.jp/michinoichi/mtop.html

Inaricho Art Festival
June 7 and 8 (pottery)
June 7 to 29 (paintings, sculptures, prints and photography)

This is one of the pre-”Art Cocktail 2009″ events.
Artworks by established and emerging artists from Ibaraki, Tokyo and other areas will be exhibited in area businesses like Gruyere (cafe), Takara Inbou (personal seal shop), Ookawa Saketen (liquor shop), Joshuya Ryokan (country inn), Gallery Sakura. All these places are located within easy walking distance of Michi no Ichi and JR Kasama Station. Artworks will be exhibited in Gallery Sakura until the end of June after this festival.

Festival organizer’s blog:
http://kasatsuku.exblog.jp/

I apologize for such short notice, but ACCS, Tsukuba’s cable TV station, will air an interview of Elizabeth Robles from a bit after 18:24pm and 20:15pm on Channel 9 tonight. Some of you might have already watched it from 10:54am or 12:54pm.

Elizabeth and the local artists will be performing at Tsukuba Capio (MAP) this Friday. Please read the article by Avi in January issue of the Alien Times. To find out where you can get a copy of the latest Alien Times, please visit: http://www.alientimes.org/Info/Distribution

“BALLADS IN WOOD at Capio -CONTEMPLATING LIFE”
February 8, Friday and February 22, Friday
Doors open at 5:30pm and performance begins at 7pm

Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult - 1800yen Advance, 2000yen At door.
A ticket for two - 3000yen. Advance purchase only.
Elementary and junior high school students – 900yen Advance, 1000yen at door.

Tickets are available at Tsukuba Capio, Nova Hall, Sango Mizuki Art and Café in Tsukuba, Soba-ya Gallery Kuraya in Ami Town, Yuhodo Bookstore in Azuma and R☆Scene, a hair salon in Namiki.

You can also reserve your tickets by making a payment to the following postal account in advance, and receiving your tickets at the reception desk. Make sure to enter the date, February 8^th OR 22^nd and the type(s) of ticket(s) you are reserving in the remarks column. Also, please reserve your tickets well in advance in you are planning on reserving tickets via postal account.

Account Number(口座番号):
00160-1-762382 エリザベス・ロブレス (Elizabeth Robles)

or you can contact me at rrfish.tsukuba[at]gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing the advance ticket(s) or if you’d like to know more about this conceptual art event.

Official Blog
http://www.kinoballad.blogspot.com/
Joyo Weekly article
http://joyo-net.com/weekly/1men/2008/20080201/20080201.html
Additional images
http://fishinjapan.blog8.fc2.com/blog-entry-566.html

Here is an interesting article by BlizzardBoy, a Tsukuba area blogger, about dolls designed by Yuki Atae.

中国障害者芸術団 or China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe’s performance, “千手観音(senju kan-non or one thousand-armed deity of mercy) My 夢 Dream” has been sweeping the world, and it’s coming to Ibaraki!

千手観音 My 夢 Dream - Official website in Japanese
My Dream - Official website in Chinese and in English
From My Dream website:

China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe
was founded in 1987. With the support and cares of the whole society, the Performing Troupe bears the dreams of people with disabilities and creates a special art which delights audiences, purifies the soul with Truth, Honesty and Virtue, encourage people by strong will, and delivers friendship with sincerity. Having sought and studied for 20 years, the Performing Troupe has begun to bringing forth new ideas independently, produced classics of special art, travelled to more than 40 countries in Asia, Europe, America , Africa and Oceania . It flies its own unique banner in a colourful world and they are referred to as “ Messenger of Beauty and Humanity” by the international community and as “A Special Art Star of Mankind and Image Ambassadors for 600 Million People with Disabilities in the World” by the Disabled People’s International 6 th World Assembly.

***********************************************
China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe
JAPAN First tour 2007
千手観音 My 夢 Dream

Venue:
茨城県立県民文化センター(Ibaraki Prefectural Cultural Center)
in Mito City (MAP)
Time and Date:
3:00pm (doors open at 2pm), November 3, Saturday
Tickets:
SS tickets 8,500yen – sold out their share of SS tickets
S tickets 7,500yen – very few left
A tickets 5,500yen
Box offices:
Ibaraki Prefectural Cultural Center – 029-241-1166
Ticket Pia and Lawson Ticket (ask about them at local “combinis”)
WAT Co., Ltd – sold out their share of tickets
Chiba TV Media Net 043-207-3101
***********************************************

The works of a very talented Kanzan family are on display/sale at Gallery Saika. This is the gallery across the street from K’s Denki’s parking lot (MAP) in Onozaki.

Kanzan Daisetsu, originally from China, his wife Maiko and their children Chigusa and Sota are exhibiting their sculptures and paintings. You can see what their exhibit is like in the Gallery Saika blog.

This family exhibit ends tomorrow. I apologize for the last-minute announcement. The gallery is open from 1pm to 6pm.

Kanzan’s works are also currently on display at Gallery Galatea in Moriya City (MAP). His works are in the The 3rd Gallery Galatea Biennale, which is from April 16 to 27 (Sun).

Please drop in and see their artworks when you have a chance!

I’m sorry for short notice, but Contemporary Dance Performances by the members of Contemporary Dance Association of Japan will be held in Tokyo tonight and tomorrow night. One of the performers, Yuriko Arima teaches dance in Tsukuba. She offers lessons in English for those who don’t speak Japanese. It doesn’t look like it’s been updated for a while, but here’s her dance studio website: R Dance Club

2007 時代を創る　現代舞踊公演
(Direct translation would be something like “Contemporary Dance Performances that shape the time 2007” )
September 4, Tuesday and 5, Wednesday
Doors open at 6:30pm, and performances begin at 7:00pm
Venue:Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Medium Hall (English)
Tickets: 3500yen

As a rule, whenever I find myself in Tokyo on a clear day, I check to see what’s going on at the Mori Art Museum. There, high above Japanese Gotham, in the upper-echalons of the Roppongi Hills Building, I can enjoy not only the first-rate exhibitions put together by the trusty and innovative curators, but also my continuing birds-eye explorations of the ever-so-hard-to-get-a-grasp-of capital. When I found out that a show called “Roppongi Crossings 2007: Future Beats In Japanese Contemporary Art” was on, I had a hunch that if I went I would be in for an especially rewarding visit. I’ve always had a soft-spot for contemporary art, which if not always beautiful in a traditional sense, could at its best be eye-opening, exciting, disturbing and extremely funny. It can also get you to look at life and the world around you in a new way. Such an exhibition would be a perfect accompaniment to the views of Tokyo, that sprawling cubist-study-of-gray-on-gray, and most contemporary of first-world cities (if Jackson Pollack were an urban planner, might not he have conceived its crazed concrete mayhem with his random drippings?) which can be had from the observation deck just a floor below (by escalator) the museum. I enthusiastically suggested to the friends I was with that we make our way toward the elevator (we were conveniently lunching at Roppongi Hills) and head up to the 52nd floor. We were not to be disappointed.

We purchased our combination ticket for 1500 yen (didn’t it used to be more expensive?) giving us access to the museum as well as to the observation deck. Our ears popped as we were whisked with surprising speed up to our high altitude destination. When the doors opened we walked out into a dazzlingly clear view of the megalopolis, which turned into a full panoramic view as we slowly made our way around the glass-lined periphery of the building. From up here, we can try to put the puzzle of the city together. As we are accustomed to shuttling underground between our favorite districts, emerging out of subway stations or walking down from trestles makes it nearly impossible to form a mental picture of the city. My geographical understanding improves with each trip up to this floor and I would recommend it as a perfect starting point for a first trip to Tokyo (just as I would suggest starting a Kyoto tour off at Enryaku-ji Temple on top of Mt. Hiei). For Tsukuba-ites it is especially interesting (and moving) to gaze out in a straight line beyond the green oasis of the Imperial Palace, at the irregular M-shape of Mt. Tsukuba. It can be seen how the Chuzen-Ji Temple, now Mt Tsukuba Shrine, was the protector of the unlucky North-Eastern Direction of Edo Castle, mirroring the way Enraku-Ji protects the Kyoto Imperial Palace’s unlucky direction. You can come back to this floor again and again to try and pick your favorite haunts out of the confusion. In the distance are Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Bay, Boso Peninsula, and Haneda airport. Trying to find Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Dome, Budokan, etc. can be much more difficult than finding Wally.

Just as the view calls for repeated visits, I find myself usually coming back again and again to each of the exhibits I’ve seen at the Mori, which occupies the interior of what I guess is the 53rd floor (access is one floor up from the observatory by escalator). The Crossroads exhibition will have me back again as well. The curators have selected works in various media by 36 artists/collectives to represent the Japanese art scene of the past few decades. Before showing your ticket and taking the escalator, you might not be able to pass up giving Kohei Nawa’s musical fountain a turn. What can be more irresistible than making music and water flow at the same time?

At the top of the escalator you can check your bags and coats and maybe pick up one of the free audio tour contraptions, which provide explantions and interviews with some of the artists. Then you head into the thick of it. For the next 2 hours I found myself surprised, puzzled, amazed, and even tearing uncontrollably with laughter. Let me walk you through the exhibit for a brief tour of my favorite works.

You are greeted first by Tatsumi Yoshino’s bronze dog-head, followed as you turn the corner by his larger, Christ-like, twisted and emaciated hounds. No-one can be sure what these can represent (even the artist), but for me they were moving tributes (bronzes are usually reserved for people who have made significant contributions to society) to dogs and other animals who have suffered and died for the sake of mankind in medical and other scientific experiments.

In the same room are Tiger Takeshi’s surreal trips to Mt Fuji and his spacey comic strips. Opposite this is a very large and sharp photo of a garbage dump in what appears to be a Middle Eastern country. Many visitors stood around it,scouring it for details.

Entering the next room, the lights comes slowly up and down on Chu Enoki’s terrifying and beautiful city, or planet, of scrap metal. It can be viewed from within or from a separate viewing platform. From either, it is unforgetable.

Another room has Shinichi Hana’s bizarre white marble sculptures which contain enough details to elicit lengthy (and puzzled) viewings. They certainly get you racking your brains for possible meaning ( I must admit that I came up with nothing).

You then enter a room with what is possibly my favorite work, Takahiro Iwasaki’s Out Of Disorder installation, which at first appeared to be a large room strewn with several pieces of dirty laundry. On closer inspection, however, and then by actually getting down on hands and knees, you can find tiny sculptures made out of pencil lead, mounted strategically on the socks, T-shirts, and underwear. Just as the stones in a zen garden can represent islands, mountains, or countries, you can see whole worlds in the laundry lying on your floor!

I had always associated the modern art movement in the West with Japan and Zen. Of course, the impressionists are well known to have been interested in and impacted by Japan, especially by Japanese woodblock prints. The later modernists’ use of the aesthetic principles of simplicity, sudden inspiration, and stream of consciousness seemed to me to also have been a result of Western contact with Zen. The Roppongi Crossings exhibition, however, shows many works which depend NOT on simplicity, but on great detail, and what must have been a tremendous amount of tedious labor. This reminded me more of Chinese works such as those miniature masterpieces found at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, which inspire oohs and aahs from viewers who wonder how many decades it would take to create such a work

I had such a feeling when I came to Yoshino Yoshimura’s corner. The wall seemed to be adorned with sheets of newspaper. A closer examination seemed to confirm this. Checking the explanation plate however, I realized the impossible (and possibly ridiculous) fact that these were hand penciled, exact copies of newspapers! I had the same feeling again with Yoshio Sagishi’s tiny ceramic constructions which were painstakingly made, drop by drop. Koichiro Tsukikawa’s video works also shows fabulous intricacy and detail.

I will mention one more work which left an impression on me, and this installation surely pushes the definition of what art is to the limit. With their Arithmetik Garden, Sato Masahiko and Kiriyama Takashi have created a mathematical puzzle which the visitor tries to solve by passing through various gates. I was completely stumped, and had to let my friend’s young daughter finish things off.

When I soon found myself at the exit of the exhibition, I was overcome with disappointment. I didn’t want it to be over. But it will be on until January 14, 2008, so I’ll be going back. Especially on clear days, when I can enjoy the exhibit, and the view.

Though in Tokyo there are no museums with permanent collections ranking with those at the likes of The Louvre, The Prado, The Met, The British Museum or Taipei’s Palace Museum, it is still one of the best, or maybe even THE best place in the world for special museum shows and exhibitions. During any given week, a glance at the museum listings will reveal several must-see exhibits at dozens of interesting venues, catering to almost any taste or inclination. 

The recent inauguration of the new National Art Center near Roppongi, has made things EVEN MORE interesting for art lovers, and being that it is located near a Hibiya Line station it is easily accessible to Tsukubans (even for those with only a few hours to spare).

I wanted to arrive at the museum early today, to have as much time as possible taking in the works of Australian Aboriginal Artist Emily Kame Kngwarreyey, who had been a ritual body painter and sand artist until she finally put brush to canvas in her late seventies. Living in the Red Center of Australia, a couple of hundred kilometers from Alice Springs in a community ironically called Utopia, Emily must have spent nearly all the time in the remaining decade of life painting, as she created THOUSANDS of canvasses, many of them HUGE. She usually did this by spreading a canvas out on the sand, exposed to the elements, and in some of her works careful examination reveals bits of sand, vegetation and even an occasional DOG PAW PRINT!

Emily had no formal artistic training and virtually no knowledge of Western or Eastern artistic traditions. And though eventually prices for her canvases soared way over the million dollar mark, she certainly was not painting for the money. This makes her works, for me at least, an exciting example of pure artistic expression which provide an accessible channel for gaining insights into her peoples’ 40,000 year old culture.

The National Art Center’s building itself is quite interesting ,though I only looked at its facade briefly and then hurried into the exhibition gallery. If the floors were not wooden I would think that I had entered an airport terminal with a spacious lobby repleat with restaurants and cafes set at regular intervals . The galleries are entered through what look not unlike airport gates, and you actually have to pay for each exhibition separately at these gates(at least this was true today). All the restaurants were crowded, making it seem that the outer hall was the CENTERPIECE of the museum as opposed to the inconspicuous galleries. I was surprised to see that there was even food being offered to match one of the exhibitions. For the European Still-Life Painting show from the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna, one of the restaurants had an Austrian chef serving special Viennese lunches!

The  design of the building should not come as a surprise when one learns that it was the creation of architect Kisho Kurokawa who also designed (among many other notable commissions) the Kuala Lumpur Airport Terminal! Of course when that was built it was the largest terminal in the world. And what a lonely place, too, never having been able to compete with Singapore Airport as a regional hub and seeming almost empty in its hugeness,a veritible ghost terminal with staff shuttling to and fro by bicycle through its long and lonely corridors.

Paying my 1,300 yen entrance fee, I took a deep breath and entered another dimension: DREAMTIME. Emily’s works are abstract, appear simple and can be divided into several distinct phases. Nearly all the works on display, however, were alike in that they were absolutely mesmerizing. I felt like I was at a Thai Restaurant. Thai food is delicious and it also physically affects your mouth, giving it a unique sensation. For the first time in my long museum-going life I felt the same sensation — IN MY EYES. More than any Da Vincis, Rembrandts, or Picassos my eyes FELT Emily’s canvases.

Of course we can try to interpret these works. Maybe they are maps containing wisdom related to gathering traditional foods and medicines. Maybe they are reflections of subtle observations of the desert landscape. Maybe they are inner-visions which all humans can relate to as a reflection of a collective consciousness. I could go on and on, but as my friend Rick said about this show, maybe it should just be FELT and not THOUGHT ABOUT. 

Several times I reached the exit of the gallery, but each time I headed back to the start, staggering about, intoxicated, trying to absorb as much of Emily’s energy as I could.

This incredible exhibition closes Monday evening. If possible, SEE IT.

A wallet, necktie or new set of golf clubs are fine Father’s Day gifts. But nothing could bring a bigger smile to a dad’s face than his portrait executed in crayon by his own toddler. And what better subject is there for all the budding young Hiroshiges and Sharakus out there than that big face, which all googly-eyed, has been cootchy-cooing at them since their eyes have started to focus?

Seibu Department Store has been displaying hundreds of such Father’s Day portraits as part of its Chichi-no-Hi (父の日, Father’s Day) campaign. They are sure to bring a smile to ANYONE who goes up to the 6th floor to check them out. Though these works lack polish and technique (they are by 3 year-olds!), they exude color, love and joy of life — and what could be better than that? And though we are grown up now, we STILL can’t escape those images of the big faces which peered down at US when WE were in OUR cribs. This exhibition will bring back a flood of memories and feelings.

Father’s Day was introduced to Japan after WWll and is held on the 3rd Sunday in June. Though at first completely overshadowed by Mother’s Day in terms of gift giving and spending, Dad’s Day has been slowly but surely catching up as family dynamics have been changing (more time spent with papa) and advertising campaigns have started to sink in.

The 6th floor of Seibu often has special events which are worth checking out. This month they will be having summer gifts (o-chugen) on display, and even if you don’t plan on sending these beautifully packaged and very over-priced boxes of juice, salad oil etc. to YOUR boss, in-laws, professor, or go-between (nakodo), many Japanese people do, and it is interesting to see all the different gifts and the lines of customers doing their duty.

The 6th floor events that I most look forward to are the Eki-Ben Fairs which bring together all the famous train station boxed lunches from around Japan, and the regional food fair which gives you a chance to taste and purchase delicacies for various prefectures, both far and near.

Gerd Knapper, a German ceramic artist and a sculptor who lives in the Town of Daigo (Daigo Machi, 大子町)* in nothern Ibaraki, has opened his gallery in his studio/home in Daigo.

According to the Asahi Newspaper, the opening ceremory for his gallery was held on May19. Among the many visitors who came to congratulate him on the opening of the gallery was the governer of Ibaraki Prefecture. Those who want to visit this gallery must call him and make the arrangements ahead of time. The number is 0295-72-2011.

Here’s the Home pge of Gerd Knapper in English.

In his Japanese website, GERD KNÄPPER, you can enjoy his artworks here, including the one in Tsukuba. You can also see what his studio/gallery looks like here. (Please note that the e-mail address that you see at the bottom of his Japanese website is NOT his personal e-mail address. It’s the e-mail address for the stone shop in Tochigi Prefecture.)

When you make plans for visiting this new gallery in Daigo, please read more about the Town of Daigo in Alien Times!

From October 2006 issue:
Fukuroda No Taki
From June 1995 issue:
Northern Ibaraki: Interesting Day Trips From Tsukuba

松竹大歌舞伎
Shochiku Kabuki Summer Tour (East Tour)

July 29 (Tue)
Time: From 6PM
Venue: Tsuchiura Shimin Kaikan (土浦市民会館 or Tsuchiura Civic Hall), 029‐822‐8891

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, April 24, and will be available at Tsuchiura Civic Hall, Sun Apio Shopping Center information desk, SunPal Shopping Center (the one by the JR Arakawaoki Station) information desk, Chuo Gakki store, Ryuugasaki Civic Hall, and Kijo Plaza.

July 30 (Wed)
Time: Two performances: 1PM (doors open at 12:30pm) and 5PM (4:30pm)
Venue: Kenmin Bunka Center (茨城県立県民文化センター or Ibaraki Prefectural Cultural Center) in Mito, 029‐241‐1166

Visitors are kindly requested to place their preschool-aged children in the babysitting service while they watch the performance. Babysitting service is available to those who apply at least 5 days in advance. Please call the Kenmin Bunka Center for details.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 25, but they’ve started accepting reservation by phone at 8:30am yesterday, April 21.

Tickets:
“S” tickets: 7,000yen
“A” tickets: 6,000yen
“B” tickets: 4,000yen
Students: 1,000yen*
*It looks like that the student tickets are only available at Mito.

It’s a bit early to announce this, but I’m doing it anyway since I’ve come across a timely article on Mainichi Daily News.

From April 15 article:

Pottery-clad audio products hit the right notes

KASAMA, Ibaraki — An electronics manufacturer in Ibaraki Prefecture has begun receiving orders for audio products set in local Kasama-style pottery.

The speakers are shaped like a pot and their sound is clearer than that of normal wood speakers.

The amplifier is priced at more than 800,000 yen and each speaker at more than 30,000 yen.

An official from the manufacturer in Omitama said that the firm planned to market cheaper and smaller pottery-covered audio products. (Mainichi)

If this article got you interested in the Kasama Yaki(pottery), then 陶炎祭(ひまつり or Himatsuri), the largest pottery fair in the entire Kanto Region, will be waiting for you!

From Himatsuri Website:

‘Himatsuri’ in Kasama is the biggest event during the Golden Week with 219 potters and ceramic artists participating. Himatsuri can offer much more than other ‘Pottery Fairs’.
Potters have their individual stalls fashioned with their unique works and wares, and visitors can enjoy shopping for special finds. Visitors may also enjoy hands-on experience while interacting with artists.

In addition to Show-and-Sale of Kasama ware, there will be an auction of clay masks by ceramic artists and an exhibit of clay masks made by over 1000 local school children. There will also be brass band performances by elementary and middle school children.

On May 3rd visitors may enjoy ‘Evening Market’ until 7 p.m. and the main attraction of Himatsuri, ‘Evening Fest Live’ with their favorite potters while enjoying delicious food.

Please also visit the Himatsuri Blog if you want to view the flyers. You can view a larger image of “green” flyer just by clicking on that thumbnail, but for the ones in the middle and right, you’ll need to click “ココ” located in the upper left.

Various events will go on during Himatsuri, like hands-on activities for kids and adults, pottery auctions, and live music performances by local brass bands and a professional band. So there are excuses to drag your friends or family members who aren’t into pottery with you…!

I have to warn you though. Since this pottery fair is extremely popular and famous, be prepared for traffic congestion (the parking lots can turn into battle grounds)! Kasama City’s been trying to come up with ways to ease the traffic/parking issues, but it hasn’t found a best solution yet. It’s urging people to use public transportations. There are free buses leaving from JR Tomobe and JR Kasama Stations, but only once an hour at the most.

“木のバラード(Ballad of Wood (or trees)),” an exhibition of artworks by Japan-based Filipino artist Maria Elizabeth Robles, is currently being held at the Tsukuba Museum of Art. According to the Joyo Living News, she lives in Tsukuba and has her own design company here (does anybody have more infomation?).

木のバラード Exhibit
Dates: September 4 (Tues) to 9 (Sun)
Hours : 9.30am - 5.00pm [ Admission until 4.30pm ],
closes at 3pm on the last day
Admission : Free
Tsukuba Museum of Art, Ibaraki
Joyo Living article on Maria Elizabeth Robles (Japanese)

道の市(Michi no Ichi) is an arts and craft fair in Kasama City that is held on the first weekend of June, which is this weekend!

It’s only their 5th year, and is much smaller than festivals like Tsukuba Festival and the Himatsuri(Kasama Pottery Fair), but I really enjoyed it last year! Various artists and craftsmen from Ibaraki and other parts of Japan come to this fair, so this isn’t just the pottery event. You’ll love delicious food prepared by local groups and businesses, and will also enjoy live music and dance performances. I liked the Bali Dance performances, but it looks like there isn’t any Bali dance this year :-(

Michi no Ichi 2007
When:
June 2 (Sat) from 10am to 5pm
June 3 (Sun) from 10am to 4pm
Where:
Bentencho area of Kasama City
(It’s only a couple of minute walk from JR Kasama Station.
You’ll see and hear the festival from the station!)
- Michi no Ichi flyer
- photos from last year and the year before

Other events this weekend:
Namiki High School Festival
Yasato Pottery Festival
Map and Survey Festival
Mongolia Exhibition
Science Day and Environment Day at Ibaraki Nature Museum

Inlay is a kind of artwork that involves inserting pieces of coloured materials into depressions in a base object to form patterns or pictures.

An artist named Sadao Takahashi has a wooden inlay exhibit and shop at Seibu this weekend. Mr. Takahashi takes pieces of wood and fits them together into marvelous works of art. He even uses the natural grain of the wood to artist effect, as you can see in the sky in the image below, which shows a toad in front of Mt. Tsukuba. The artwork starts out as a piece of wood about 1cm thick and then it is sliced until it is almost as thin as a piece of paper.

If you have some free time this weekend, please go to the 5th floor of Seibu (where Muji and the bookstore are located) and seek out Mr. Takahashi.

The 5^th exhibition of citizen’s collection called Creating nature, - The Charm of Bird Carving – will open tomorrow at the Ibaraki Nature Museum. You’ll be able to enjoy the art and history of bird carvings and learn about bird carvings as tools of nature and wildlife conservation. This exhibition runs through February 25^th, Sunday. Kids get in free on Saturdays.

Photo exhibition by John L Tran of Tsukuba University. Images show British and Japanese landscapes in which signs have been switched, resulting in scenes that question what we take for granted in our everyday visual culture.

Sutton Crag, Yorkshire - Watch Out for Kids Dashing Out!

Venue: Tsukuba University Art Space
Access: Tsukuba daigaku chuo line. Bus Stop - Daigaku kaikanmae
Dates: 1st June – 3rd August 2008
Opening Times: 9.00 – 17.00 daily
Admission: Free

More Info (Japanese only): 029-853-2382

The Noh (能) mask exhibition is currently being held at Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku in Tsuchiura City. I have very little information on this event, but this exhibit is free and ends this Sunday. Machikado Kura Daitoku gallery is open from 10am to 5pm, 4pm on the last day.

Please visit the following sites if you want to learn more about Noh.
Noh Kyogen (Japanese/English)
Nohgaku Association (Japanese)
Noh (Japanese/English)
Noh, wikipedia (English)

I’d also like to let this blog readers know that you can now pick up the latest copy of Alien Times at Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku (土浦まちかど蔵　大徳).

More on Machikado Kura (sakura themed exhibit)
Map

I visited the Tsuchiura Machikado Kura yesterday to see the exhibit I talked about in my previous post, and I really enjoyed looking at all those artworks and the scenery! If any of the TsukuBlog readers are into photography, then this part of Tsuchiura is the place to visit!

One of the retro-buses that was at the Machikado Kura.

It stayed there for 15-20 minutes, so my son and I were able to get inside to take more pictures. Sure enough, my son told me he wants to take a ride in this bus from Tsukuba Station next time, so I guess I’ll have to visit Machikado Kura again soon!

Bus schedule from Tsuchiura Machikado Kura to Tsukuba Station and Tsuchiura Station. The schedule is printed on the letter-sized paper, so please look for it at the Tsukuba Center Bus ATerminal.

You’ll see buildings like these in that area.

This is Yaguchi-ke Jutaku near Machikado Kura.
It’s designated a cultural heritage in Ibaraki Prefecture.

There is a Tsuchiura Tourist Association office inside Machikado Kura Daitoku, so you can get information and advices right on the spot!

If anyone is planning to go to this place or elsewhere in Tsuchiura, be sure to plan ahead! Annual Kasumigaura Marathon (this is a really big event) is today, so traffic controls are being enforced now.

Nowadays, the culture of “manga” (= Japanese comics) has spread all over the world. “Manga” has already become an English word. They say that a national treasure called “Cho-ju-giga (鳥獣戯画)“, a set of picture scrolls drawn in 13 century, is the root of manga. An exhibition of these famous picture scrolls will take place in Tokyo. If you call yourself a manga maniac, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the origin.

National Treasure, Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga-Emaki: A Special Exhibition Celebrating the Home of the Suntory Museum of Art

Period:
November 3 to December 16, 2007

Place:
Suntory Museum of Art (Tokyo Midtown side)

Time:
10:00-18:00 (Sundays, Mondays)
10:00-20:00 (Wednesday to Saturday)
* Enter at least 30 minutes before the closing time
* Open until 20:00 on November 3 and November 23

Closed:
Tuesdays

Admission fee:
1,300 yen for adults
1,000 yen for students
Free for junior-high school students and under

See:
National Treasure, Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga-Emaki: A Special Exhibition Celebrating the Home of the Suntory Museum of Art(English)
鳥獣戯画がやってきた！－国宝「鳥獣人物戯画」の全貌 (Japanese)

A sakura(cherry blossoms)-themed art exhibit called 2007年土浦桜比べ展覧会 (Tsuchiura Sakura Kurabe Tenran-kai) is currently taking place in Tsuchiura City, and I highly recommend going to this one!!

Here are the reasons why.
Various types of artworks by 21 established Japanese artists, some are 人間国宝/Ningen Kokuho or “living national treasure,” are on display on 1st and 2nd floors of 土浦まちかど蔵・大徳(Tsuchiura Machikado Kura, Daitoku(4th picture from the top)) near the JR Tsuchiura Station, and you can enjoy their artworks for absolutely FREE!

There are many old buildings and “spots that remind you of good ol’ times”  that are within walking dsitance of this exhibition site. It’ll be nice to stroll around the area, and visit a place like the Kijo Park. The Tsuchiura City’s Museum by the Kijo Park is closed for renovation until July, unfortunately.

The best part of this exhibit? 
There are FREE buses leaving from TX Tsukuba Station and JR Tsuchiura Station every hour between 10AM and 4PM on weekends and on a holiday(30th)!!!
I don’t know where exactly the buses will be(does anyone have the info?), but just look for these buses. 

I know it’s a short drive to this place from Tsukuba, but I’m interested in riding those retro-buses. I’m guessing that kids would love to ride them, too!

——————————————————-
2007年土浦桜比べ展覧会
- Tsuchiura Sakura Kurabe Exhibit -

April 1 to April 30
9am to 5pm
Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku
(300-0043 Chuo 1-3-16 Tsuchiura City)
—————————————————–

John Tran looks at Tsukuba and its environs through a series of photographs that explores the different aspects of the man-made and “natural.” Juxtaposing landscape images with portraits of staff and students of Tsukuba University’s Institute of Art and Design, this exhibition investigates how we separate nature and artifice, desire and control, order and chaos.

The exhibition runs from Nov. 16-25, daily at the Shimin Gallery, in front of Tsukuba Expo Center.

Address: 1-10-1 Takezono, Tsukuba, 305-0032

Gallery talk on Nov. 17 from 14.00.

The exhibition is generously sponsored by Tsukuba Style.

The Challenge Art Festival in Tsukuba is the festival where people with disabilities (again, I don’t know what the most politically correct term is now) exhibit their talents.

The artworks will be on display at Tsukuba Museum of Art, which is just across the hall from the city library, and dance, taiko drum, and theatrical performances will be held at the Capio Hall. There’s a djembe concert, an opening event, today from 2PM to 2:30PM at the museum. Djembe is one of the African folk instruments.

Challenge Art Festival in Tsukuba
Art Exhibit
Feb.27. Tuesday – March 4, Sunday
From 9:30AM to 5:00PM<(4:00PM on the last day)

Performances
March 3, Saturday
From 1:00PM (doors open at 12:30PM)

Events at the museum
Feb.27 Opening event
- Djembe concert, 14:00-14:30
Feb.28 (Wed), March 1(Thur)
- Lyre(Leier) concerts, 10:00-12:00
March 4, Closing event
- a concert(?), 15:00 - 15:30

I just saw this information on ACCS(Tsukuba’s cable TV/ internet service provider) website.

A prominent Indian film maker Aparna Sen (spelling?) is shooting her film called “Kite” right here in Tsukuba!! The filming in Tsukuba started on March 30, but I don’t know how long she’ll be in Tsukuba. According to ACCS news, the filimg is taking place in 神郡(Kan-go-o-ri) area of Tsukuba, which is just south of Mt. Tsukuba or I should say just north of Hojo area, near the Hojo Lake. The film is not scheduled to be released in Japan, but the Japanese title would be “Japanese Wife” if it ever comes to Japan.

I tried to look for more information, but all I could find was the information for the 1994 Indian film by the same title. Tsukuba City’s Film Commission office hasn’t even mentioned this on their website.

Does anyone have more information about this, and if you do, would it be possible to share that information here? I’d LOVE to know more about it!

■ Tsuchiura Sakura Festival 2008 ■

When:

March 22, Saturday to April 13, Sunday from 9am to 5pm

Venues:

the entire Tsuchiura City! - Kijo Park, Kijo Plaza, Mall 505, Urara Hiroba, Ottonuma Park, Sakura River and Shinkawa River banks, Manabe Elementary School, Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku, Ryuugamine (Suigou Tsukuba National Park), Koujou-an and Komachi-no Yakata

Events:
■ Kijo Park - April 6, Sunday from 10:30am to 4pm

Opening Ceremony, a local folk dance performance, a traditional music concert, performance by a local high school’s cheerleading club, street performances, “Walk Rallies” for a chance to win prizes (Drawings begin at 5pm), and a lot more.

■ Kijo Park and the Tsuchiura City Hall

Cherry blossoms will be illuminated during the festival

■ Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku

Sakura Kurabe Art Exhibit and 絵手紙(e-tegami, a style of letters with hand-drawn pictures) from March 22 (Sat)
to April 20(Sun). FREE shuttle bus service from Tsukuba to Machikado Kura Daitoku on weekends!!!
Buses will be leaving from the Tsukuba Station (Tsukuba Bus Terminal) once an hour between 10am and 4pm.
Exhibit spaces and Japanese room on the second floor of Daitoku will be closed on March 21 (Fri) and April 21
(Mon). Please visit the following articles in TsukuBlog for reference:
http://blog.alientimes.org/2007/04/sakura-themed-exhibit-in-tsuchiura/
http://blog.alientimes.org/2007/04/retro-bus-from-tsukuba-station/

■ Kijo Plaza across the street from Kijo Park

Takara Kurabe Exhibit. Closed on Wednesdays

■ Tsuchiura City Museum

The 29th Exhibition – The Story of Tsuchiura Cherry Blossoms.
From March 22 (Sat) to May 6 (Tue). Admissions: adults-105yen, elementary, junior and senior high school students-50yen. Students get in free on Saturdays, and everyone gets in free on April 6. Closed on Mondays. This museum is located directly next to the Kijo Park.

■ Hie Shrine (Niihari area)

Horseback archery ceremony on April 6, Sunday

■ Ottonuma Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Karaoke tourney, events co-sponsored by businesses in Orakawaoki, free 甘酒(amazake, sweet alcohol made from fermented rice/some don’t have any alcohol in it)

Some event schedules have not been announced yet. Please contact the Tsuchiura Tourist Association for more information.
Phone: 029-824-2810, Web: http://tutiura.727.net/index.html

“土浦薪能/Tsuchiura Takigi Noh” will be held on September 26, Wednesday. 薪(takigi) literally means firewood. Takigi Noh is the Noh played outdoors in the evening with 篝火(kagari-bi, or balefire/bonfire) lights.

Programs:
能(Noh): “葵上 古式(Aoi ue koshiki”
狂言(Kyogen) : “蚊相撲(Kazumou)”
To learn more about Noh and Kyogen, please visit this website:
能楽　NOH & KYOGEN - An Introduction to Noh and Kyogen

Venue:
亀城公園*(Kijo Koen/Park), which is within walking distance of the JR Tsuchiura Sta. ( “A” on this map).*Tsuchiura Civic Center in case of rain
Date and Time:
September 26, Wednesday, 6:30PM

Tickets:
5000yen for reserved seats, 3000yen for unreserved seats
FREE for standing room! However, non-ticket holders won’t be able to watch the play if the venue is moved to the Tsuchiura Civic Center.

Ticket offices:
Tsuchiura Board of Education, Tsuchiura Civic Hall, Tsuchiura City Kijo Plaza, Sunpal Nagasaki-ya (a shopping mall outside JR Arakawaoki Station) Information Booth, Ticket Pia at Tsuchiura “Wing(a shopping mall outside JR Tsuchiura Station),” Yuhodo Book Store in Azuma, Tsukuba(029-852-3665), Bookstore in “Escard Ushiku(a shopping mall outside JR Ushiku Station”

Notes:No photographing or videotaping.