Kiso Photography Exhibition and Talk by Jeff Kucharski; Saturday opening, Japanese Language Course

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Opening today:
Travel Road of Kiso: Photographs by Jeff Kucharski
November 1 – December 12, 2012
Saturday opening: November 3, noon – 5pm

The Nakasendo was one of the major travel roads in Japan, establishedduring the governance of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Edo period (17th–19th century) which linked Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto via Kiso. Kucharski, a Canadian diplomat, lived almost alongside the Nakasendo when he and his wife Hideko were first married.

The Kucharskis lived in Itabashi, on the outskirts of Tokyo, which used to be one of the post towns on the Nakasendo route. Encountering many preserved signs and references to the Nakasendo in his neighbourhood, Kucharski developed an interest in various aspects of this travel road, such as transportation, culture, politics, trade, and commerce. He became especially fascinated by the Edo and Meiji eras, in particular, the opening of Japan in the 1850s and the subsequent arrival of foreigners who traveled and wrote about early modern Japan.

Firstly, Kucharski’s research led him to build a collection of rare, late 19th century books written in English by foreign residents in Japan, including travel books that describe the Nakasendo and other routes. Secondly, Kucharski’s talent and skill as a photographer enabled him to document the current status of the old travel scenes. When the Nakasendo goes through the Kiso Valley, the route is traditionally called Kisoji – the travel road of Kiso. This is the historical area where the most well-preserved travel road villages can be still found, and where one of the first street-scene preservations was conducted in the 1980s.

Over 50 photographs introduce the beauty of Kiso, where history, the nostalgia of the rural community, and the serene mountain scenery are all peacefully combined.

Admission Free
Gallery Hours:
Monday 11:30 am - 7 pm extended hours
Tuesday 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am - 7 pm extended hours
Friday 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Select Saturdays noon - 5 pm
Saturday opening dates: November 3 & 17, December 1 from Noon - 5:00 pm
CLOSED: Other Saturdays, Sundays

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Visit the JFT Library and gallery this Saturday, Nov. 3 between noon and 5pm.
New library materials include:


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LET’S GO TO JAPAN 日本(にほん)へ行(い)こう
Japanese Language Course
Let’s learn simple Travel Japanese conversation!

Saturday, November 17th, 2012, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm
at The Japan Foundation, Toronto


The Japan Foundation, Toronto is holding a Japanese Language Class for Travel Conversation for beginners/novice, (JF Standard A1 level) on the afternoon of Saturday, November 17th, 2012. This class is for those who are interested in travelling to Japan, Japanese culture or learning Japanese. Instructions and explanations will be in English.

We will introduce you to some popular tourist areas in Japan, followed by some simple conversations that you can use in practical travel situations, such as eating at a restaurant or shopping and so on.

You can browse our library which has a huge collection on Japan and Japanese culture, including comic books, j-pop CDs, etc. You will have the chance to visit the current exhibition in our gallery, “Travel Road of Kiso – Photographs by Jeff Kucharski”, and enjoy images from a historical area where the most well-preserved travel road villages can still be seen.

RSVP is essential. This class is limited to 30 people, on a first come, first served basis (minimum number for this course to be held is 5) .
Information: www.jftor.org/whatson/20121117traveljapanese.php
RSVP Required: www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php or (416) 966-1600x241 or nsuzuki@jftor.org