Welcome to JASGA

世界遺産フォト展覧会
THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN JAPAN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Dates:  April 6 ~ April 21, 2017
Reception: Thursday, April 6 6:30pm
Venue: Tokyo Electron USA Lobby
Admission: Free   

https://vimeo.com/215337514 (videographer: Yu Otsuka)

Overview: In order to preserve humanity’s cultural heritage for future generations, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Culture and Natural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1972. The countries which ratified the treaty have pledged to protect and preserve the World Heritage Sites within their borders.

As of July 2016, 20 sites in Japan have been added to the World Heritage List: 16 cultural sites and 4 natural sites. In addition, the category of “intangible cultural heritage” has been created to preserve oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, and festival events. Recently, UNESCO declared washoku (Japanese cuisine) to be an intangible cultural heritage.  (Photo ©Kazuyoshi Miyoshi/PPS: Itsukushima‐jinja Shinto Shrine, Hiroshima)

The country’s mountainous geography and four distinct seasons mean that the physical environment of Japan can be harsh. The Japanese people have dwelt in harmony with this environment for millennia. The wooden architecture of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, sacred and holy places for Japanese people, stands as a monument to this heritage of adaptability and harmony. From ancient times, Japanese have believed nature and all objects contain “神- kami” (spirits). We hope that the beautiful photographs by Kazuyoshi Miyoshi will enable you to feel the reverence inspired by these carefully preserved sites.  Download the Poster.   Download the Exhibition Flyer.

For its second cultural and educational program of 2017, JASGA joined the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum family day on January 8th.  We invited a shamisen player, 17-year-old Ryuto Koike, who is from Sapporo, Hokkaido.  He has been practicing Tsugaru shamisen for 13 years.  He played traditional Tsugaru Shamisen pieces. It was a rare opportunity to have a traditional Shamisen player during the new year's days in Austin.  Many of the audience enjoyed the Japanese traditional instrumental music despite the cold weather.  

We also invited a certified calligrapher Aya Koga to share with us the traditional Japanese New Year's custom of kakizome.　Kakizome (in Japanese, "first writing" 書き初め) is the first calligraphy written at the beginning of the yea. Kakizome is traditionally held on January 2nd in Japan when people write positive and encouraging words and phrases with calligraphy brush and ink.  Some audience members were invited to participate to write own Kakizome after the demonstration.  

Thank you for coming by the January family day and share the experiences with Tsugaru Shamisen performance and Kakizome, Japanese first calligraphy of 2017!

(Click on each photo to view photo albums.)