Issue 9: September 2003

The Japan Foundation London Newsletter The Mazarin Chest Major Anglo-Japanese Conservation Project to start in 2004

The Mazarin Chest, property of the purveyors of lacquer to the Victoria and Albert Museum in Tokugawa family. Gorgeously London, and one of the finest decorated in gold and silver examples of Japanese export lacquer maki-e and richly embellished known, is to become the subject of a with carved metal details, this unique conservation project to begin wedding set is the ultimate next summer. achievement of early- seventeenth-century Japanese he chest derives its name from having once lacquer art. The Mazarin Tbeen in the possession of the Mazarin-La Chest has many characteristics Meilleraye family, whose coat of arms is carried in common with this wedding on its French steel key. Although it is not clear set and is likely to have been when the chest became the property of the made contemporaneously with it. the Japan Foundation for having funded the Mazarin family, it would have arrived in Europe It is some 360 years since the chest was research trip to London by Mr Yamashita just before or during the period that Cardinal exported to Europe from Japan. Its condition earlier this year. Further funds still have to be Mazarin (1602-1661) was principal minister to has deteriorated badly and there is an urgent raised, but the V&A is confident that the King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715; reigned need for it to be conserved. It was chosen as a project will be able to start on schedule in the 1643-1715). candidate object in the first year that lacquer summer of 2004. Research into its history indicates that at was included in the remit of the Project for It should be observed that recent years have some point before the end of the eighteenth Conservation of Works of Japanese Art in seen a burgeoning of interest in the century it passed from the Mazarin family into Foreign Collections jointly administered by the conservation of lacquer combined with a the possession of the Duc de Bouillon, and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the growing awareness in Japan and the West of the then, in 1800, into the ownership of William Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan substantial differences that exist in terms of Beckford (1760-1844), Gothic novelist and Foundation and the Tokyo National Research techniques used and approaches taken. The renowned collector of Japanese lacquer. Institute of Cultural Properties. However, due need for greater international dialogue and Beckford kept the Mazarin Chest along with to concerns about the instability of both its mutual accommodation has never been more the Van Diemen Box (also in the collection of highly elaborate decoration and the underlying pressing. This collaborative project will result, it the V&A) and the Buys Box at his home at wooden substrate, it was decided not to send it is intended, in precisely the greater level of Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire. The chest appears in to Japan for conservation. Instead a plan has common understanding of the issues the catalogue of the 1823 Fonthill Abbey sale, been devised for its conservation as a joint surrounding the conservation of lacquer that is after which it moved to Hamilton Palace in Anglo-Japanese project, which, in view of the required. It will also result in the mutual transfer Scotland, seat of the Dukes of Hamilton. It paramount concern for the chest’s safety and of skills, the benefits of which will be next appears in the catalogue of the 1882 worries about changes in environmental immeasurable. In these respects the project to Hamilton Palace sale, from which it was conditions to which it would be exposed conserve the Mazarin Chest is both extremely purchased by the V&A. through being sent abroad, will be conducted at timely and has the potential to deliver multiple Other works similar to the Mazarin Chest its home institution in London. Treatment will benefits to the international community at large. include the famous Hatsune Maki-e Konrei be carried out over a period of five years by one Chôdo set of wedding furniture made on the of Japan's leading lacquer conservators, Rupert Faulkner, Senior Curator, Asian occasion of the betrothal of Princess Yoshihiko Yamashita, working in collaboration Department, Victoria and Albert Museum Chiyohime, third daughter of the third with Shayne Rivers, the V&A's lacquer generation shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, to conservation specialist. THE MAZARIN CHEST: Black-lacquered wood with gold and silver maki-e decoration, mother-of-pearl Mitsutomo, the second generation head of the Projects of this nature need substantial and metal sheet inlay, carved metal details and gilt Owari Tokugawa family. Starting in 1637, this external funding and the V&A is extremely copper furnishings; French steel key; scenes from the Tale of Genji and the Tale of the Soga Brothers was produced over a period of three years in the grateful to the Toshiba International Japanese, about 1640 59.0 (h) x 101.5 (w) x 63.9 (d) workshop of Nagashige, tenth generation head Foundation for expressing its intention to meet cm V&A inv. no. 412-1882 Photograph by courtesy of the Kôami family of lacquerers, official a major part of the costs. It is also indebted to of the V&A Japanese Language

Ready Steady NihonGO! Director’s Note

ast February, our Language Centre imagine that most of you will Llaunched an exciting new Primary Japanese I have already adjusted project, Ready Steady NihonGO! in your internal clocks to partnership with the School of Education, normal time after the University of Nottingham and Japan 21 unparalleled baking- Education. hot summer. Autumn The publication of the Languages Strategy by is already upon us. In the DfES in December last year Japan we have a proverb (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/languagesstrategy) that beautifully depicts this initiated a new trend for modern foreign St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, season: Ten takaku uma koyuru aki which Sheffield. Year 4 languages (MFL) in the primary sector: by the translates: ‘It is in autumn when the sky is very year 2010 every Key Stage 2 (from 7 years) primary Japanese. Its members are teaching high and perfectly clear, and horses grow fat primary pupil in England will be entitled to mostly in secondary schools/language colleges, and sturdy’. British people, with their long learn a foreign language. Already an estimated whilst doing outreach work with local primary equestrian history, might well feel like this in 20% of the 25,000 primary schools in the UK schools. Primary teachers with an interest in autumn, too. currently teach a foreign language, mostly Japanese language provision are also I must belatedly inform you that in June we French, some German and Spanish, either as contributing. In September, a pjp-uk launch moved with our Language Centre into new part of the curriculum, or as an extra-curricular event was held at the Japan Foundation London premises in Russell Square. I have learned that activity. The Japan Foundation London Language Centre, providing for the very first Bloomsbury is traditionally much favoured by Language Centre’s new primary project is time an opportunity for members of the group lawyers and scholars alike. Two of our designed to help teachers introduce Japanese to to meet face to face and to discuss the current neighbours are the School of Oriental and UK primary schools. state of and future prospects for primary African Studies and the British Museum. The School of Education, University of Japanese. I know that being together with our Language Nottingham has undertaken extensive research Recently, an eye-catching flyer entitled ‘Ready Centre under one roof will help us to be more into curriculum models for MFL learning in UK Steady NihonGO! – Japanese for primary efficient and cost effective, as we weather the primary schools in general and has reported back schools’ went out to all UK primary schools, current financial squeeze. on experiences from PGCE graduates teaching aiming to raise awareness for the teaching of I should like to arrange more Japan-related Japanese in the primary sector. Japan 21 Japanese to primary pupils and its benefits. The lectures, workshops and small exhibitions with Education has provided an overview of the response has been positive with many schools other cultural bodies and to host some seminars current Japanese studies scene at primary level expressing an interest in introducing Japanese. on Japanese language education. I also hope and Anne Rajakumar, an Australian-trained Some of the challenges ahead will be to that our library (a specialist Japanese language teacher of Japanese currently teaching at South encourage secondary schools and language collection) will be well used by all those Wold School and Language College and at a colleges to continue or to start supporting involved in Japanese language teaching. local primary school, has been looking closely Japanese as part of their outreach work, to The Japan Foundation is currently coping into the state of the teaching of Japanese in the provide training opportunities for primary with a number of administrative reforms State of Victoria, Australia in order to help teachers with an interest in Japanese, to create initiated by the Japanese government. As a provide a role model for the UK. Meanwhile, a and to provide schools with the necessary result, we have defined four strategic aims: to team of Japan Foundation London Language resources, many of which are already available, encourage projects that accord with our Centre advisors have been touring the country, mainly from Australia or over the internet, and diplomatic and strategic plan; to strive for visiting 12 primary schools already offering to try and pave the way for more foreign greater cost-effectiveness in all we do; to make Japanese. Most of these schools are being served language assistants and interns to come over available more information (including by their local secondary schools and language from Japan. disclosure) and to evaluate our projects more colleges through outreach activities, where The first Ready Steady NihonGO! Primary rigorously; to be more aware of the need to secondary teachers are being sent into primary Japanese Conference to be held at the Japan respond positively and flexibly to the priorities schools to deliver Japanese lessons on a weekly Foundation London Language Centre on 18th of our various target groups. basis. In some cases, primary teachers who have November will provide an opportunity for To help us achieve these objectives we have some knowledge of Japanese following previous initial findings from the Ready Steady with effect from 1st October 2003 changed our stays in Japan, e.g. as a JET teacher, have also NihonGO! project to be presented as well legal status to an Independent Administrative successfully launched after-school or lunch time as acting as a stepping-stone for further Institution (Dokuritsu Gyousei Houjin) Our clubs. developments. basic terms of reference and the structure of our Our efforts to provide ways forward in the programmes remain unchanged, but we may provision of Japanese language learning in the For further information on Ready Steady reorganise some programmes later in order to primary sector are being supported by an e-mail NihonGO! call Kornelia Achrafie at our eliminate duplication or to subsume new ones. discussion group of ‘Primary Japanese Pioneers’, Language Centre. Tel: 020 7436 6698 I much look forward to working closely with called pjp-uk, set up to create a forum for the E-mail: [email protected] you and to welcoming you to our new offices. exchange of ideas and concerns regarding Kohki Kanno, Director

2 The Japan Foundation Newsletter Japanese Studies

Forty Years of Japanese Studies at Sheffield

he history of the School of East Asian for Japanese Studies, and I organised an reactive responses to globalisation processes. It T Studies at the University of Sheffield international conference Beyond Globalisation brought together leading social scientists from goes back to 1963, when the Centre for in Japan and Asia: a multilevel approach. Japan and the UK, and the programme below Japanese Studies (CJS) was established Its aim was to move the debate on Japan’s demonstrates the intellectually challenging following the Government’s ‘Hayter Report’ response to globalisation beyond the focus on way topics were addressed on these on the teaching of Slavonic, Oriental and the economy at the national level, and to different levels. African languages. investigate how, at the global, regional and The conference was followed by a On 24-25 July 2003, in celebration of forty national levels, and in different spheres of symposium on globalisation and education at years of Japanese Studies at the University, activity—security, politics, economics—Japan which President Takeshi Sasaki of Tokyo Harukiyo Hasegawa, Director of the Centre was involved in both pro-active as well as University spoke on how globalisation was impacting on Japan and East Asia, and with National Level: Domestic Response to Neoliberal Japanese Business Response to the Rise of China Vice-Chancellor Bob Boucher of Sheffield Global Politics Ohashi Hideo, Senshu University University speaking on how it was affecting the The Impact of Globalisation on Domestic Politics in Japan Commentator: Reinhard Drifte, London School of Takahashi Susumu, University of Tokyo Economics UK and Europe. Corporate Responses to Globalisation: the Relationship of the The two events were supported by the Japan State in Economic Development Harukiyo Hasegawa Global Level: Japan and the Neoliberal Global Society for the Promotion of Science, which University of Sheffield Political Economy co-sponsored the events, the Japan Foundation Commentator: Ray Loveridge, University of Oxford JANUS is Wandering: Neoliberalism and Statism in and the Toshiba International Foundation. Contemporary Japan Sugita Atsushi, Hosei University We are immensely grateful to them for National Level: Japan and Global Issues Response of Japanese Capitalism to Globalisation: Comparison with the German Case Kudo Akira, University of Tokyo their support. Reorganization of Keiretsu and Small/Medium Enterprises in Commentator: Andrew Gamble, University of Sheffield It was a delight to be able to welcome both Japan" Kikkawa Takeo, University of Tokyo old and new friends to the celebration. The Commentator: John Scott, University of Essex Global Level: Japan and Global Institutions greeting made by Kanno Kohki, Director of Japan’s Policy and Interface Agreement toward International the Japan Foundation, London office, nicely Regional Level: Japan and East Asia Organisations Shiroyama Hideaki, University of Tokyo captured the sentiments of those in attendance: Regionalisation of Security Communities in East Asia: Myth or Reality?" Yamamoto Takehiko, Waseda University The Breton Woods Institutions and Japan – Evolutions of “In Japan there is a popular saying originally their Relationship and Recent Development Under Financial borrowed from Chinese literature: Shijyuu ni Globalisation of East Asia and Transfer of Management: Globalisation Aramaki Kenji, Japan Bank for Possibility of East Asian Economic Block?" Isn’t there? International Cooperation shite madowazu, ‘When a person reaches forty Takahashi Yoshiaki, Chuo University Commentator: John Ravenhill, University they should have no doubts’ I hope the forty Commentator: Christopher Hughes, University of Edinburgh of Warwick year old Centre for Japanese Studies advances boldly into the next forty years”. Global Level: Japan and Global Issues Regional Level: Japan and China Glenn D. Hook, Professor of Japanese Between Terror and an Empire: Japanese Response to the Studies, University of Sheffield The Rise of China and Security in East Asia: China’s New World after 9.11" Fujiwara Kiichi, University of Tokyo Concept of Security and Japan’s Response Takahara Akio, Rikkyo University Commentator: Arthur Stockwin, University of Oxford

British Association for Japanese Studies Conference 2003

As in past years the Japan Hiwatari, Takeo Kikkawa and Mari Osawa, all teaching and research on Japan and fostering Foundation was again pleased to from the Institute of Social Science at the a wider understanding within the field of support the plenary session of this University of Tokyo, spoke respectively on Japanese studies. In addition to the plenary year’s BAJS conference held at the The Japanese Political Economy in Turmoil; The session there were six panels ranging from University of Sheffield 14-16 April. 104 Japanese Economy and Corporations in the gender, society and literature, Japanese members attended. 1990s; and The Japanese Welfare State and business culture, politics, history and he plenary session always offers a Equality from the Viewpoint of Comparative employment issues, to security and T stimulating exchange of ideas for the Gender Analysis, and were joined by Professor international relations. whole BAJS membership; PhD students and T J Pempel of the University of California, The next conference will be held in early younger Japan scholars benefit especially from Berkeley who spoke on A Decade of Torpor: September 2004 at the University of Leeds. the presence of eminent scholars invited from When Political Logic Trumps Economic Japan and abroad to present their current Rationality, and by Ronald Dore on Japanese research and thinking. Exceptionalism: How long will it last? For further details on BAJS contact This year’s plenary was no exception and The BAJS annual conference is the principal Lynn Baird at the BAJS Secretariat the theme was The Lost Decade (Japan in the event for members to interact intellectually Tel: 01206 872543 (answerphone) 1990s) and Beyond (Japan at the beginning of and to discuss work in progress. It serves a E-mail: [email protected] the 21st Century). Professors Nobuhiro particularly important role in promoting Website: www.bajs.org.uk

The Japan Foundation Newsletter 3 Grant information

Japan Foundation Grant Programmes 2004/2005

he following programmes for the their field. As a rule a named affiliate in Japan is written in languages other than Japanese. Fields T2004/2005 financial year are now available required at the time of application. The covered include the humanities, the social for application. Fellowship comprises airfare, stipend to cover sciences and the arts but exclude the natural Further details and application forms are living expenses and other allowances. There are a sciences. Publication must take place within the available from the London office and those for number of categories within the Programme: 2004/2005 financial year and the grant awarded the Support Programmes for the Japanese 1. Scholars and Researchers Category is a percentage of the direct publication costs. Language from our London Language Centre. For academics working in the field of Japanese Application form: M1-PS The deadline for all applications is studies, the humanities and the social sciences. Translation Support Programme 1 December 2003. Duration of Fellowship: from (no less than) 2 to (no longer than) 12 months. For publishers only and to encourage and Japanese Studies Overseas and Intellectual 2. Doctoral Candidates Category support the translation and publication of Exchange For candidates who are in the closing stages of quality works from the Japanese language. They their PhD. and who need to undertake fieldwork must be translations of works on or about Japan Visiting Professorship Programme for in Japan in order to complete their thesis. Proof in the humanities, the social sciences and the arts Japanese Studies at the time of application that all other necessary (excluding the social sciences). The programme Designed to support institutions of higher requirements, bar completion of the thesis, have offers financial support for part of the fees paid education, research and cultural organisations been fulfilled for the award of the PhD is needed by the publisher to the translator. Application planning to invite scholars from abroad from the candidate’s supervisor. Duration of form: M1-TS (including Japan) from between one and six Fellowship: from (no less than) 4 to (no longer Film and TV Programme Production Support months to give courses related to Japan in the than) 14 months. Programme subject areas of the humanities and the social 3. Artists Category sciences. Grant covers the return airfare and a Artists means arts professionals in the widest Financial support is provided towards the proportion of the direct project expenses. sense e.g. writers, performing and visual artists, production of films, TV programmes and other Application form: J2-VP as well as arts administrators and academics. For audio-visual materials that promote a deeper those wishing to pursue a particular creative understanding of Japan and Japanese culture Research/Conference/Seminar Grant project in Japan. Duration of Fellowship: from abroad. Grant assistance takes the form of Programme (no less than) 2 to (no longer than) 6 months. subsidies towards the production costs. Grant assistance is provided towards joint Application form: P2-JF Application form: V-FTP research projects, conferences, seminars, Japan Europe Support Programme for workshops and intensive courses that are Japan- Support Programmes for Japanese Conferences and Symposiums related of up to 12 months duration. Education Overseas Comparative research projects, including those Financial support is provided to institutions of Support Programme for Japanese Language within a global context are also considered. higher education, research centres, think tanks Courses Abroad Higher education institutions, research and and cultural organisations wishing to hold cultural organisations are eligible and the project international conferences, symposiums or Designed to help the creation of full-time should not be the work of a single individual. seminars to promote better understanding teaching positions at universities, colleges or Application form: J2-RC between Japan and Europe on common issues in other higher educational institutions that run the political, economic, social or cultural fields. Japanese language courses. Provides salary Library Support Programme Application form: S-EC assistance for up to an initial three-year period Designed to promote and encourage research on provided there is an undertaking that the post Japan through the donation of Japan-related Visual Arts Exchange Programmes will be maintained by the institution after the books and materials to the libraries of initial 3 –year grant period. Exhibitions Abroad Support Programme institutions of higher education, research Application form: J1-SAS organisations and to large public libraries that Financial support is provided to museums and support departments and faculties of Japanese galleries that introduce Japanese art and culture Japanese Speech Contest Support Programme studies. Applications from individuals and from in the UK. Assistance is given in the form of the commercial sector are not accepted. subsidies on a cost-sharing basis towards the A grant towards the cost of purchasing prizes and Applicants (libraries) should apply to a particular direct costs of holding the exhibition, but not for other expenses is given to organisations planning category within the programme depending upon preliminary research and development. to hold a Japanese language speech contest. the extent to which Japanese studies are Application form: A1-EAS Application form: J1-SCS conducted within the organisation. Support Programme for Developing Application form: M2-LS Publication and Audio-Visual Exchange Networks of Japanese Language Teachers and Programmes Fellowship Programme Institutions Publication Support Programme Our Fellowship Programme gives the Designed to help overseas teachers’ associations, opportunity to academics, arts and other Financial support is given to publishers only academic societies, higher education and research professionals to visit Japan to pursue research in towards the publication of books on Japan institutions to develop networks of Japanese

24 The Japan Foundation Newsletter Grant Information

language teachers and institutions abroad 2. Japanese Language Programme for included. Participants must publish results through seminars, academic meetings, Researchers and Postgraduate Students within 2 years of completion of the Fellowship. workshops and training courses. A two, four or eight-month intensive training Application form: NC-EF Application form: J1-SDN course for scholars, researchers and Assistance Programme for Japanese postgraduate students in the social sciences and Advanced Training Programme for Language Teaching Materials the humanities who need to improve their Teachers of the Japanese Language Japanese language ability for research purposes For publishers and educational institutions A new 2-month advanced training course for or for their future careers. A prescribed level of who wish to produce and market resource both native and non-native Japanese speakers Japanese ability is required before application materials for Japanese language instruction in designed to provide more advanced Japanese (equal to level three of the Japanese Language the form of textbooks, dictionaries, a/v and language teaching expertise and skills. Proficiency Test) Application form: KC-G computer assisted materials. Grant provides for Applicants should have already completed one quarter of the publication costs and Japanese Language Education Fellowship training at the Japan Foundation Japanese materials must be completed before Programme Language Institute, Urawa, should have application. Application form: NC-PS passed JLPT Level 1, or its equivalent, and For educational institutions and publishers Japanese Language Teaching Materials have had at least 5 years teaching experience. wishing to send Japanese language specialists to Donation Programme Application form NC-AJT carry out surveys or research in Japan for the development of Japanese language teaching Under this programme educational institutions Training Programmes for Teachers of the materials, teaching methodology and for that offer regular courses in Japanese language Japanese Language Japanese curriculum development. The may apply for a donation of a variety of To provide teachers of the Japanese language programme provides for one specialist for up to teaching materials published and distributed in with the opportunity to improve their 8 months or a team of two for up to 3 months. Japan. These can take the form of books, tapes, Japanese language skills and teaching Round trip airfare and a monthly stipend are a/v materials etc. Application form: NC-MD methods. Four types of programme: The long term training programme (6 months) for teachers with less than five years Japanese International Conferences outside Japan the form of round-trip economy class airfare, language teaching experience: three short term Funds are available to Japanese specialists in a grant towards accommodation/living training programmes (2 months) for those the humanities, the social sciences and the arts expenses up to 9 days and travel and health with at least two years Japanese language who have been invited to chair, to give a insurance. teaching experience: a one-month training paper or to give a keynote address, at an Grants Available for the Performing Arts programme in Japanese language teaching international conference or symposium methods for Japanese nationals living abroad outside Japan. Assistance comprises the round Should you wish to invite a Japanese who have at least three years Japanese trip economy-class airfare from Japan and performing arts group to this country, the language teaching experience: and an help towards accommodation/living expenses Japanese group may apply direct to our Head intensive 3-week training programme for non- for up to 5 days. Applications need to be Office in Tokyo for possible financial native teachers in primary and secondary made by the Japanese invitee direct to our assistance. There are two programmes schools with at least one years teaching Head Office in Tokyo by 1 December 2003 available depending on the size of the group. experience. Application form: NC-JT and “additional applications” are accepted for The deadline for both programmes is conferences after 1 July 2004, subject to 1 December 2003 but it is advisable to seek Japanese Language Programmes for budget, and should be made at least 3 months advice and more information from Junko Specialists before the conference is due to take place Takekawa in this office before initiating Two programmes at the Japan Foundation application procedures. International Conferences in Japan Japanese Language Institute, Kansai for those Grants Available for Film Festivals who need to improve their Japanese language If you have been invited to chair, present a ability for vocational and academic purposes. paper or give a keynote address at an Under our Film Festival Abroad Support Specifically: international conference/symposium Programme, grants are provided to cover part (including academic meetings, workshops or of the cost for international film festivals, art 1. Japanese Language Programmes lectures etc) in Japan the conference organiser festivals and screenings of special series of for Librarians (university, academic society, arts group etc) Japanese films held in the UK. The grants can A six-month intensive training course for may apply on your behalf to the Japan be used to cover costs including film librarians in educational and research Foundation Tokyo for grant assistance. shipping, and screening fees. institutions. A prescribed level of Japanese Deadline is 1 December 2003 but for The deadline for application is once a year ability is required (equal to level three of the conferences in the latter half of the financial in December and you should contact, Junko Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Priority year (October to the following March) Takekawa to discuss your project before you is given to applications from developing additional applications are accepted up to 30 apply, as this programme is not open to countries but applicants from other countries June 2004 subject to budget. Assistance takes general application. are welcome to apply. Application form: KC-G

The Japan Foundation Newsletter 5 Arts News

Japan Foundation Touring Exhibition Director Tate Liverpool to visit Japan available for loan to UK venues ith 60 superb s part of our mission to encourage a deeper He will visit key museums and galleries W works, 11 Aunderstanding of Japan abroad, key people including the new Mori Art Museum, where he internationally in the arts, the humanities and the social will attend the opening reception, and will meet renowned sciences are invited to Japan on a programme of key artists and curators in the contemporary photographers and specialist visits to contacts and to counterpart field. A key player in the next Liverpool emerging young organisations in their field. It is expected that on Biennale, he will also visit the offices of the artists revel in the their return the visitors will have exchanged Yokohama Triennale and the Kyoto Biennale. spiritual dimension ideas and have had the opportunity to Tate Liverpool opened in 1988 in a beyond our living Kamaitachi #8 by Eiko Hosoe investigate in a preliminary way what potential converted warehouse in the Albert Dock and is world, attempting a there might be for future projects and exchanges home to the National Collection of Modern redefinition of relationships between with Japan. Art in the north of England. Grunenberg’s visit individuals and between the individual and This year we have invited the Director of Tate to Japan this month is particularly timely with society. This is more than a photographic Liverpool, Dr Christoph Grunenberg. He has the 3rd Liverpool Biennale taking place documentary, more than mere reflection of written extensively on issues surrounding the September to November 2004 and with reality as we see it, but an attempt to capture presentation of art, and since the early 1990s has Liverpool having been chosen the European the invisible; something of the essence of worked extensively with contemporary artists Capital of Culture in 2008. During the next life itself. having curated a number of important five years the city’s profile should increase Including works by Hiroshi Sugimoto, exhibitions. He was formerly Curator of rapidly, therefore, and Tate Liverpool is Eiko Hosoe and Shimabuku, it has toured with Contemporary Art at London’s Tate Gallery and expected to play a leading role with an exciting much success to other European countries. Curator and then Acting Director at the programme of exhibitions and displays in Available from January 2004. Approx. 65 Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. which we hope Japan will feature. linear metres (negotiable) required. Cost- sharing scheme. No hire fee and all costs for transport of exhibits and insurance covered by Pockets of Memory Workshop the Japan Foundation. On 18 July we organised a one-day memory; Naoko’s deconstruction of cloth Karakuri Dolls workshop on textiles, our very first echoes the fragmenting and fading of memory. n collaboration with the British Museum event in our new premises. Participants were artists at different points in Iwe are planning a Karakuri Dolls lecture he day comprised two integral sessions run their careers and were asked to bring fragments and demonstration on 17th January 2004 at Tby two textile artists, Naoko Yoshimoto of cloth and images which had a personal the British Museum and at another venue (print transfer) from Japan and Jeanette meaning. Naoko showed them how to photo outside London (tbc). The lecture will be Appleton (felting) from the UK and was an transfer the image on to the cloth and then given by Professor Suematsu of Nagoya excellent example of UK-Japan artistic begin the deconstruction process. Jeanette then University and the demonstration by the 9th collaboration working at its best. The workshop provided the raw wool with which participants Shyobei Tamaya. was held with the help of Lesley Millar, felted ‘pockets’ by hand and into which they Daiwa/AHRB research Fellow at the Surrey placed the cloth that they had worked on in the Japanese Film Season Institute of Art and Design University College morning, thus producing ‘pockets of memory’. e are presenting a season of 7 Japanese and Project Director through the surface, an As Lesley Millar commented after the W contemporary films in February/March Anglo-Japanese textile project funded by the workshop “It was interesting to observe the 2004 at 2-3 venues in the UK (tbc). It will Japan Foundation. different dynamics at play. During the focus on films that each in their own way During a 12-week partnership Appleton and deconstruction of the fabric, there was a gentle deal with the crisis of “self” and “identity” in Yoshimoto had identified the theme of murmur of voices as people exchanged stories contemporary Japanese society. The proposed ‘memory’ as their common interest. Jeanette about the memories held within the images and programme is: works with felt as a metaphor for embedded the cloth…… At the end of each session the

Cure 1997 work was laid out together on a table and each participant talked about what they had Embracing Naomi Kawase 1992 achieved, why they approached their piece in a All Under the Moon 1993 particular way and the meaning the work had Helpless Shinji Aoyama 1996 for them”. Distance Hirokazu Koreeda 2001 Go Isao Yukisada 2001 ‘through the surface’ is originated by The Swallowtail Butterfly 1996 Surrey Institute of Art and Design Shangi-la 2003 University College. It opens at The Surrey Institute Galleries on 27 January 2004. For details on all of the above contact For further information visit Junko Takekawa. Naoko Yoshimoto (print transfer) and participants busily www.throughthesurface.surrart.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] at work transferring the memory image on to a cloth.

6 The Japan Foundation Newsletter Architecture Book review

Ishigawa’s House for a Racoon called Silver can Time, Place and Being only be accepted as an ironic commentary on in Japanese Architecture the aspiration to make an architecture on the basis of a detailed response to human needs. by Kevin Nute Potentially the reverence for material offers a greater continuity since, as Nute shows, Ando’s Routledge: 144pp; 130 colour illus; 39 b&w illus; bibliog.; index; ISBN hb: 0-419-24010-1; well-publicised respect for the precisely- Pub date Feb 2004 finished “artificial” material of concrete is not n the early 1950s the claims of Western incompatible with the way in which traditional IModernism, particularly as described by Japanese buildings treat the patterns of natural Sigfried Giedion in his Space, Time and Christianity, whose influence has waned materials like timber, and allow them to Architecture, were countered by the next inexorably, to be replaced, amongst architects embody the meanings of the building. generation of European architects by appeals at least, by a rather vague set of ideas derived This is a thought-provoking book. It is to particularities of place, and occasion, and from Heidegger. Whereas Heidegger’s poetic immediately accessible with a clear structure an emphasis on human identity. In this book, appeal is somewhat reactionary and and attractive images, but the informative Kevin Nute argues for these values, which sentimental, Nute argues that the ritual footnotes indicate it also deals with transcend cultures, and uses examples of celebration of time can be happily translated, important questions for readers who wish to Japanese architecture to illustrate his thesis. in Japanese architecture, into such designs as think more deeply about architecture; and Each section first discusses examples of Toyo Ito’s Nomad restaurant. with the aid of the bibliography they will be traditional Japanese building in relation to the The third section “Built Revelation of able to do so. Since the Enlightenment theme, and then moves on to late twentieth Being” introduces the most complex set of western architects have had some difficulty, century and contemporary work. On the way, issues: for instance, how to be an individual or maybe have just been embarrassed, in the fertile cross-connections between western and yet participate in the collective, to be describing the transcendental nature of their and Japanese architectural thinking and “apart and yet a part” as Nute summarises it. art – usually the result is either an over- practice are brought out. In the first section, The Japanese sense of privacy is very different bearing rhetoric or a sentimental retreat into on Place, where Nute discusses shakku and from the west’s, and is expressed quite poetry. As it has done for at least the last two ikidori, I was reminded of the shock of differently in domestic plans, at least since the hundred years, the Japanese tradition discovering, on visiting Japan, how the invention in the west of the corridor, and its provides an insight, by analogy, into issues Japanese practice of “borrowed landscape” subsequent ubiquitous employment. The that concern us all, as inhabitants of our anticipates the procedures of landscape interaction between family pattern and built fragile planet. “appropriation” in 18th and 19th century form is well illustrated in the example of the Dr Nicholas Ray, Lecturer, Department of England, most noticeably in the work of gassho-zukuri silk-weavers’ houses, which Architecture, University of Cambridge Humphrey Repton. Here, however, as evolved into a type that was capable of subtle elsewhere, the predominant parallel drawn is variation. Evolving a similarly robust but Dr Nute was a former Japan Foundation with Wright, whose absorption and translation sensitive typology to serve twentieth and Fellow and the publishers have received of Japanese influences formed the subject of twenty-first century society has proved an a grant from the Japan Foundation under Nute’s previous book. To Wright it was “in the elusive goal. The serious studies of Wajiro Kon, our 2003/2004 Publication Support nature of any organic building to grow from which are touched on briefly, were surely a Programme. the site”, and this is evidently his aspiration in valuable attempt to derive principles from close For further details on the work contact his buildings. This is in stark contrast to the social observation. But Nute has difficulties in Caroline Mallinder at Routledge on treatment, most famously by Le Corbusier at finding examples of contemporary work to Tel: 020 7842 2393 the Villa Savoye, of the building as an illustrate a continuing concern for such issues. autonomous object which sits on its site, or even floats over it. Yet Tadao Ando would also Toyo Ito to receive Architectural Association’s seem to aspire to do this with his buildings, since he explained that “the aim of architecture Honorary Diploma is always the creation of an environment where f your name and architecture float in a sea since the completion of his much-acclaimed the logic of nature and the logic of architecture Iof words like ‘revolutionary’ and ‘radical’, Sendai Mediatheque cultural centre, a project are in fierce conflict yet co-existent”. The ‘extreme’ and ‘epochal’, and if your efforts to Ito himself once described as his most dialectic between these two positions would create new concepts for life in modern cities important work. The lecture will coincide itself seem to be a trans-cultural phenomenon. have been wildly successful, how do you keep with the presentation of an Honorary The section on time, not surprisingly, up with the expectations of the world (or at Diploma from the Architectural Association. describes some of the rituals which celebrate least its architecture critics)? Ito has been designing seminal projects the passing of the seasons in Japan; these retain Toyo Ito – one of the discipline’s most since setting up his own practice in Tokyo in an important place in the culture, whereas innovative and influential practitioners - will 1971, among them White U and Silver Hut their equivalents in the west (“harvest festival” be giving a talk on Tuesday 25th November at to Tower of Winds and Egg of Winds. The for instance) have all but disappeared. Perhaps 18:30 at the Architectural Association lecture is by ticket only. Contact the AA direct this is because of their identification with outlining where his thinking has taken him on: 020 7887 4103.

The Japan Foundation Newsletter 7 Events

Dates for your Diary Prince Takamado: Events organised by, or with financial support from, the Japan Foundation Pomp and Circumstance 25 September – Kyoichi Tsuzuki: Photography Exhibition 16 November Editor, writer, nightclub designer, and photographer Kyoichi Tsuzuki (b.1956) photographs in Happy Victims some thirty men and women who have turned the act of shopping into an is Imperial Highness Prince Norihito unusual form of obsession. Tsuzuki’s first UK solo exhibition in a public gallery. Includes talks at HTakamado was playing his favourite the Gallery. The Photographers’ Gallery 5 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY. sport, squash, when at the age of 47 he Information contact Clare Grafik, Tel: 020 7831 1772. E-mail: [email protected] suffered his fatal heart attack on 21 15 October Edexcel A-level Day For bookings and further information, please contact Edexcel on 0870 2409800 or visit November 2002. His sudden and www.edexcel.org.uk. premature death came as a great shock to 17-19 October Kill Your Timid Notion every Japanese and particularly to all his A cross media experimental music festival at Dundee Contemporary Arts featuring Ryoji Ikeda, colleagues in the Japan Foundation. Ruins and Acid Mothers Temple. Details contact Barry Esson, Tel: 01382 909900. E-mail For Prince Takamado had been working [email protected] alongside us at the Japan Foundation for 20 October Shimabuku: Why Travel with an Octopus? the past 21 years. When he joined in An Illustrated talk by Shimabuku 18:30 at the Japan Foundation (Seminar Room). Shimabuku, one of Japan’s best-known young artists, whose show opened this month at the Glynn Vivian Art 1981, he used to sit at the desk just in Gallery in Swansea, will explore past work and discuss his attitude to his audience. Introduced by front of mine. I recall that it was not so Jonathan Watkins, Director of the Ikon Gallery. easy to decide the position of his desk 18 October- Shimabuku: Swansea Jack because, for security reasons, he had to be 22 November The Japanese performance artist, Shimabuku has been invited to conduct a project on the basis firmly protected from outside visitors. of the Swansea legend, “Swansea Jack”. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. Details contact Karen He commuted in punctually every day, Mackinnon Tel: 01792 655006 E-mail: [email protected] driving his private car, except on days 24 October – Recent Japanese Films showing at the11th Raindance Film Festival, London. when he had to perform his imperial 7 November Reflects the films of the independent filmmaking community and specialising in films by first- time directors. Information contact Oli Harbottle at Raindance on Tel: 020 7287 3833 duties, but always in front of his security 31 October – Akibiyori: Season of New Japanese Cinema guards’ vehicle. His daily work was to 13 November Arthouse films rarely seen. Many titles never screened before in the UK. prepare various data, to plan and to & 26, 27 November Opens with Ping Pong (Fumihiko Sori) and the UK premiers of Pistol Opera () and administer cultural events, to meet The Grudge (Takashi Shimizu) and the latest Shara from Cannes award winner Naomi Kawase. important foreign visitors, to copy Also showcasing works by Jun Ichikawa and Koreeda ‘s third film Distance. Information contact Email: [email protected] documents and sometimes even to receive telephone calls from outside. Surprisingly, Early November Regional Refresher Course Following the format of the annual Refresher Course, this is the first in a series of intensive he always made a special effort to work regional refresher courses to be held outside London. Venue & dates to be confirmed. with us at our level. However, he always 10 November Edexcel GCSE INSET Day had that commanding presence, For bookings and further information, please contact Edexcel on 0870 2409800 or visit indisputably like Elgar’s “Pomp and www.edexcel.org.uk. Circumstance”. Sometimes he partook of 18 November Ready Steady NihonGO! ‘sake-drinking parties’ in order to A conference on Primary Sector Japanese. See article on page 2 communicate with us. We called him, 21 November – Tokyo on Film Takamado-san (Mr Takamado) or Denka 3 December CINE CITY The Brighton Film Festival. Films gathered around the theme of the city of Tokyo. (Prince) but always in a most friendly and To be shown in the Brighton and Hove area. Details contact: Tim Brown, Tel: 01273 643213. E-mail: [email protected] respectful manner.

25 November Lecture by Toyo Ito: at the Architectural Association. See article on page 7. Places limited and He also possessed a profound and by ticket only. Contact the AA on Tel: 020 7887 4103 for further information intelligent understanding of Japanese arts 4 December Stretching Out and crafts – his collection of netsuke- A day of practical guidance and workshops for native speaking teachers, from ICT use to drawing carved toggles was famous – music, dance, up scheme of work. Details: Contact Language Centre sport and even IT. And in that regard he 2004 was undeniably a real ‘ master of the pen and the sword’. His official visits to the 17 January Karakuri Dolls UK for cultural events will never be Lecture by Professor Suematsu, Nagoya University and demonstrations by the 9th Shyobei Tamaya at the British Museum and one other venue. See article on page 6. Contact forgotten and he did so very much to Junko Takekawa for details strengthen the bond of friendship between 21 - 23 January Head Start the UK and Japan. An intensive introduction to Japanese and the issues associated with teaching it. For Heads of Prince Takamado was himself a splendid modern foreign languages, senior managers in secondary schools, and language co-ordinators at demonstration that ‘cultural exchange primary level. Details: Contact Language Centre begins with a person, and ends with a 25 February 2004 ICT in the Japanese Classroom person’. Even now, a photo panel of him A joint CILT/Japan Foundation London Language Centre INSET Day exploring the use of ICT vigorously conducting an orchestra still relevant for teachers of Japanese. Details: Contact Language Centre stands in my office. February – March Japanese Film Season: See article on page 6. Contact Junko Takekawa for further details Kohki Kanno, Director

THE JAPAN FOUNDATION LONDON NEWSLETTER. Published by: The Japan Foundation London Office Russell Square House 10-12 Russell Square, London WC1B 5EH Tel: 020 7436 6695 (London Office) 020 7436 6698 (Language Centre) Fax: 020 7323 4888 (London Office and Language Centre) E-mail: [email protected] (London Office) [email protected] (Language Centre) Web: www.jpf.org.uk Editor: Stephen McEnally, Design: SPY Design (www.spydesign.co.uk)