Cultural Exhibits
Below are the cultural exhibits for last year’s Japan festival. Until new details are released for 2012, this will remain for historic purposes.
Kimono Display Featuring Wedding Kimonos
The word Kimono simply means “things to wear” and is the traditional clothing of Japan. It is a long robe with wide sleeves worn as an outer garment. It is complemented by a sash, called an “Obi”. The Obi is worn around the mid-section of the body.
The Kimono has had a long history in Japan and it has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of that period. Today, a Japanese young woman usually wears a Kimono for a few special occasions like weddings, college graduation, the coming of age ceremony on her 19th birthday, New Year’s celebration, etc. For weddings, the complete bridal Kimono and Kimono apparel is usually rented. Today in Japan, Kimono are rarely worn as everyday clothing.
Today, there are many different types and styles of Kimono worn by men, women, and children. The color, cut, fabric and decorations of a Kimono may vary according to sex, age and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year and the occasion for which the Kimono is worn.
Kimonos are made of silk and are usually very expensive. Today they are worn at formal or traditional occasions such as weddings and tea ceremonies. To put on a Kimono takes much practice and time. Tying the belt or obi alone is so difficult that it may require assistance from a friend. Wearing a Kimono properly includes proper hair style, traditional shoes, socks, underwear and a small handbag for women.
But the Japanese Kimono and Obi are more than clothing. Like most Japanese things, they are an expression of sensitivity, beauty, and, particularly and harmony with one’s surroundings. They are also a way of personal expression. It is said that the Kimono doesn’t “become a Kimono” until someone wears it. It is the person wearing it that gives the Kimono its look; in that person’s own way.
It’s almost as if the Kimono has magic powers that bestow peace and gracefulness upon the person wearing it. The minute you put it on, your view and attitude towards the entire world changes. It’s a unique experience. Wearing a Kimono is as much a state of mind as it is a state of dress.
In addition to traditional clothing, Japanese Kimono (particularly wedding Kimono) and Obi are also popular as home decorating accessories. Their exquisite silk fabrics, beautiful colors, and interesting patterns make them perfect for that purpose. For example, Obi’s are used as table runners and narrow drapes. Kimono and Obi are hung for display, often creating a dramatic effect. Their fabric is used for cushion covers, patches for jeans, and to make clothing accessories such as belts. They are often framed and displayed as art. (For pictures of Kimono and Obi as decorating accessories, see our exhibit.)
Enjoy the beautiful Kimonos on display especially the wedding Kimonos and costumes this year. This exhibit is provided the members of the Japan Culture Club.
Hina Doll Display
Every year on March 3rd, Japan celebrates the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri). On this day every year, families set up a special multi-level step-altar on which to arrange the Emperor and Empress dolls, called “hina” in Japanese. They decorate the altar with boughs of peace blossoms and make offerings to the hina dolls of freshly made rice cakes (mochi), either flavored with a wild herb or colored and cut into festive diamond shapes. In addition to the beautiful dolls, these altars display many beautiful and luxurious decorative accessories.
Enjoy this beautiful and elaborate hina doll display. Carefully look at the exquisite clothing and the many accessories on each level of the display. It is rare to see such a complete collection of dolls such as those on display here.
Traditional Samurai Armor Display
The Samurai armor on display in our exhibit area is a replica of traditional Samurai armor worn many centuries ago in Japan. The manufacturer of the armor, Marutake Sangyo, is Japan’s, and the worlds, premier producer of fine Samurai Yoroi Armor. Located in Satsuma-Sendai city of Japan’s southwestern Kagoshima prefecture, the firm’s reputation for creating products of unparalleled quality has given them over a 90% share of the Japanese armor market. From television dra.m.as, such as “Yoshitsune,” to feature films, including Akira Kurosawa’s classics, “Kagemusha,” and “Ran,” Marutake Sangyo has shared the spirit of the Samurai with the world. Having produced thousands of suits of armor, their clientele extends from the entertainment industry to temples, museums, and even the Queen of England.
Each suit of armor manufactured by Marutake Sangyo is researched and modeled after examples found in museums, private collections, temples, shrines, hidden storehouses of Samurai clans and other historical sources. All pieces are painstakingly handcrafted by experienced artisans, using authentic methods and materials. For instance, one of their helmets can consist of up to 42 hand-spliced iron plates. Even a small header board, splint, or helmet lining will be completed by a skilled, veteran artisan. In fact, a single suit of armor may require the specialized skills of over 20 craftsmen. Furthermore, all of the company’s body armors and helmets are made solely of iron or genuine leather.
Miniature Japanese Tearoom and Garden Display
A miniature authentic Japanese Tearoom and Garden display is available for viewing this year. The exhibit was at one time displayed at the Toy and Miniature Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, on the UMKC campus. The detail of the Tearoom and the Garden is outstanding. The display takes you to the heart of a traditional Tearoom like those found in gardens throughout Japan.
Children’s Day (Boy’s Warrior) Doll
May 5th of each year is a National Holiday that celebrates Children’s Day in Japan. Originally the day was celebrated as “Boy’s Day” to correspond to the Doll Festival for Girls (where families display the Hina Dolls described in the previous section) that is held on March 3rd.
However, the symbols of courage and strength mainly honor boys on May 5th. It is the custom for families with male children to fly koinobori outside of the home. They represent a symbol of success. Families also eat chimaki and kashiwamochi (different types of special rice cakes) and display warrior dolls (“musha ningyo”) in the home during this celebration. Large koinobori over thirty feet in length are displayed in the lobby of the Carlsen Center.
Enjoy the beautiful “musha ningyo” warrior doll in samurai costume. Once again, it is rare to see such an exquisite example of one of these dolls on display.
Diorama Display of Famous Japanese Sites
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites around the world that are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. UNESCO has recognized a number of these historical sites throughout Japan.
The Diorama on display at the Festival this year are depictions / models of some of these famous sites in Japan. One of the diorama is of the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine where one can see the massive Torii gate standing in the bay. Compare the diorama display with the Torii gate you walked through to enter the Festival which is a large scale depiction of the Torii gate at the Itsukushima Shrine.
DISPLAYS
Japanese Landscape Exhibit by Koji Morimoto
All day outside on the south side of the Carlsen Center
Japanese gardening makes artistic use of stones, sand, artificial hills, ponds and flowing water in addition to plant material to create a peaceful expression of nature on a small scale. Mr. Morimoto is the owner of Japanese Landscaping of Kansas City and does an extensive a.m.ount of Japanese garden work in the Greater Kansas City area including design, installation, maintenance and trimming / pruning of plant material in the traditional Japanese garden style.
Ikebana Display by the Sogetsu School
All day in the lobby of the Carlsen Center
Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. Take time to enjoy the Ikebana display in the lobby of the Carlsen Center provided by members of the Sogetsu School.
Ikebana Exhibit – Sogetsu School of Ikebana
Regnier Center East Lobby
Learn about the Japanese art of flower arranging (Ikebana) from masters Mrs. Colom and Mrs. Looney of the Sogetsu School and their students.
This exhibit of the beautiful art of Ikebana will give everyone an opportunity to see both traditional and contemporary styles of this distinctively Japanese art form. Members and students of the Sogetsu School will be on hand at the Exhibit to answer questions and explain the techniques used so that attendees can better appreciate this increasingly popular style of flower arranging.
Bonsai Display by the Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City
All day in the second floor lobby of the Carlsen Center
The Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City has been in existence since 1968 and was formed to promote the interest and appreciation of the art of bonsai through education, training, information and exhibitions. We are privileged to have the Society provide an exhibition of a wide variety of bonsai styles and plant material for our Festival again this year. Society members will be at the exhibit to answer questions and demonstrate how plants are pruned, shaped, trained and wired.
Torii Gate Entryway to the Festival
All day in the first floor lobby of the Carlsen Center
The large Torii Gate that leads all visitors into the GKC Japan Festival is a depiction / large model of one of the most famous Torii gate in all of Japan. The Torii gate at the Festival is approximately 14 feet tall and the top crossbar is about 16 feet long.
This famous Torii gate is found in the bay at the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture. The shrine dates back to the 6th century. The huge Torii gate has existed since 1168 although the current gate dates back to 1875. The gate is about 16 meters (53 feet) high and was built in a four-legged (yotsu-ashi) style to provide stability. The gate appears to float in the water.
A “Torii” gate is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a “Shinto” shrine. It has two upright supports and two crossbars at the top and is usually painted vermilion (a orange / red color). Some Torii have tablets with writing mounted between the crossbars.
Information Booths and Organizations
The following Japan-related booths are located on the first floor of the Carlsen Center
- Heart of America Japan-America Society
- Heartland JET Alumni Association (JETAA)
- Johnson County Community College International Studies
- JCCC “Kai-hen-en, A Garden for Japanese Studies”
- Colleges with Japanese Language Programs in Kansas
- Kansas State University (Kumiko Nakamura)
- University of Kansas (Erika Hirano-Cook)
- Washburn University (Yuka Nito-Billen)
- Wichita State University (Yumi Foster)
- Johnson County Community College (Kazuyo Rumbach)
