Saturday Opening on July 9 & Cultural Talks @ The Japan Foundation

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The Japan Foundation is open on Saturday, July 9th.
Noon - 5:00 pm.
Library
Exhibition: The Grand Shrine of Ise: Photography by Haruo Nakano
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Co-presented by Consulate General of Japan in Toronto and The Japan Foundation
Two Talks with DVD presentations by
Michiko HIRAMA
Lecturer, musicologist, Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo
in English

Four Major Genres of Japanese Classical Perfoming Arts

1) Gagaku and Noh: July 21, 2011 (Thursday) 6:30-8:30 pm
2) Bunraku adn Kabuki: July 22, 2011 (Friday) 6:30-8:30 pm

Reservation Required: 416.966.1600 x.102, www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp
Free admission
At The Japan Foundation, Toronto
131 Bloor Street West, Suite 213
Second floor of The Colonnade


Bugaku (dance with Gagaku): Ranryo-O, Bunraku: The Courier for Hell
Noh: Motomezuka, Kabuki: Musume Dojoji

One of the characteristics of Japanese performing arts is the co-existence of various forms which were born even centuries apart. Older forms did not necessarily drift away. Rather, they survived, evolving in sophistication, even influencing the most contemporary avant-garde.

Structural changes of Japanese society have often been reflected in art forms, particularly the performing arts. Those ascending in the hierarchy sought to create their own new forms of expression, creating their own theatre, dance, and music. We will sample four of the major genres and examine the tensions and conflicts between the layers.

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Talk and slide presentation by Haruo Nakano
Shikinen Sengu:
Ceremonial Rebuilding Every 20 Years Since 690 AD
In Japanese with English interpretation



July 11, 2011 (Monday), 6:30-8:30 P.M. Booksigning to follow.
The Japan Foundation , Toronto , 131 Bloor Street West, Suite 213
Free admission
Reservation Required: 416.966.1600 x.103　www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php

For over 1300 years the Grand Shrine has kept a precious tradition of renewals. In spite of several interruptions during times of war, the Grand Shrine has been dismantled and rebuilt every 20 years. For each of the 126 shrines exactly the same structure is constructed just beside each existing one, and the old buildings are demolished. Not only the physical buildings of the shrines, but also the wooden bridges leading towards the shrines and the treasures to be stored in the shrines are freshly made, retaining the exact same designs and crafting methods. The whole construction is a spiritual process of rebirth to obtain freshness and purity, far more profound than simply a physical renewal. The 62nd rebuilding project, which started in 2005, will be celebrating its completion in 2013. Haruo Nakano is a native and current resident of the city of Ise . As an official photographer, he has been witnessing and documenting all ceremonies and rituals of this rebirth. Images which are not included in the exhibition will be projected during this talk.

Complementing exhibition
<The Grand Shrine of Ise: Photography by Haruo Nakano>
March 15 ~ July 29 [EXTENDED], 2011
at The Japan Foundation , Toronto www.jftor.org

The artist will be present at the Special Saturdy opening on July 9th.