Ateliere Origami la Ceainaria Sakura - noi si vechi

Pentru inceput haideti sa ne reamintim cateva lucruri despre Origami.

     

Termenul japonez origami este un cuvant compus format dintr-un verb, oru, care inseamna a impaturi/a plia, si un substantiv, kami, care inseamna hartie. Tradus literal origami inseamna asadar ‘hartie pliata’ .Cu toate acestea semnificatiile sale sunt mult mai multe si mult mai profunde. Origami este un joc, o simpla distractie si o buna metoda de relaxare, deca esti copil sau incepator in domeniu. Insa origami este si concentrare, disciplina, matematica, daca ne gandim la regulile matematice care trebuie urmate, numarul sau ordinea miscarilor fiecarui model. Mai mult decat atat, origami este provocare, creativitate, arta, iar acest lucru este dovedit de modele uimitoare de figurine din hartie create de catre designerii de astazi.

    Indiferent de nivelul si intentia cu care participantii nostri vin la atelierele Origami organizate de noi la ceainarie, suntem incantati de fiecare data de reusita lor si de atmosfera creata. E minunat sa te desprinzi din cand in cand de activitatile zilnice si sa te lasi furat de placerea plierii hartiei. Dintre ocaziile de felul acestea avute impreuna vom aseza mai jos cateva fotografii de la cele mai recente intalniri pana la cele mai vechi. Speram sa va placa tutuor! Si nu uitati : Sunteti bineveniti si pe viitor cu acelasi drag!
              (Cosulete, Cocori, Corbi si mici baloane- 6 nov. 2012)

 (Frunze de artar, momiji, - 9 oct. 2012)

                     (Lebada multicolora - 18 sept. 2012)

(Titirez - 11 sept. 2012)

(Fujisan din cocori - 5 iunie 2012)

(Vaza cu flori - 22 mai)

(Cosulet - 10 aprilie)

                         (Flori de primavara - 20 martie)

(Inimi - 11 februarie)

(Corbul si geometria ... - 17 ianuarie)

Atatea amintiri frumaose! Multumim tututor participantilor si instructorilor!

Despre olaritul japonez

In data de 27 octombrie, Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei” a organizat cea de a doua intalnire de cultura din luna. Intalnirea a avut ca punct de pornire arta olaritului in Japonia, insa in aceasta intalnire am dorit sa mergem putin mai profund, sa nu ne limitam doar la aspectele superficiale ale acestei arte, si ale artei japoneze in general, considerand ca este nevoie ca anumite cunostinte despre arta si cultura japoneza, si despre arta in general si raportarea noastra la aceasta, trebuie sa fie stiute pentru a putea intelege si admira cu adevarat o arta si o cultura atat de indepartata si de diferita fata de cele cu care noi suntem obisnuiti. Ca si decor pentru aceasta intalnire, cateva vase si ustensile de ceremonia ceaiului au fost aranjate cu grija pe o rogojina tatami, avand un paravan byobu in fundal.

Intalnirea a inceput prin prezentarea fiecarui participant, pastrand vechiul nostru obicei, dorind ca intalnirile noastre sa arate ca un cerc de prieteni care se intalneste pentru a discuta si a afla lucruri interesante despre un subiect, si nu ca un grup de straini care se afla prezenti la intalnire individual, pentru a primi informatii, a le pune intr-un diplomat si a se intoarce cu ele acasa.

Dupa ce prezentarile au fost facute, dl Radu N. a inceput prezentarea prin a prezenta cateva lucruri importante despre arta si estetica japoneza in general, pornind de la o idee crestina, care se poate regasi si in conceptia orientala, idee care ne spune ca un om este compus din doua lucruri: trupul, care are origine pamanteana, fiind facut din tarana, si spiritul sau sufletul, care are o origine mai inalta, divina, ceea ce da spiritului unei persoane o importanta mai mare decat trupului, care este doar o unealta a spiritului.

Asa cum trupul are nevoie de mancare pentru a supravietui, tot asa si spiritul nostru are nevoie sa se alimenteze cu ceva. Din pacate in zilele noastre, oamenii pun accent in proportie foarte mare sau in totalitate pe nevoile trupului, spiritul si cultivarea acestuia fiind deseori uitata. In gandirea filozofica japoneza zen, accentul in viata se pune pe nevoile spiritului omului, care este cel care traieste cu adevarat si care are un scop mai inalt, nevoile trupului ocupand un loc secundar, mult mai putin important.

Arta si aprecierea acesteia este unul din cele mai importante moduri de a ne cultiva si hrani spiritul, insa aprecierea artei nu vine intotdeauna de la arta in sine, ci cel care apreciaza o opera de arta trebuie sa isi formeze o deprindere, prin care sa poata surprinde cele mai adanci semnificatii ale unei opere de arta. Pentru a intelege mecanismul prin care arta ne poate impresiona, dl Radu a citat un fragment dintr-o carte, numita “Cartea Ceaiului” scrisa de Okakura Kakuzo, unde cel care apreciaza arta era reprezentat printr-o harfa neimblanzita, iar arta insasi era reprezentata prin printul harfelor, un artist. Povestea spune ca nimeni nu a reusit sa cante la harfa, doar printul cantaretilor la harfa reusind sa o imblanzeasca, cantand despre diferite lucruri, de la curgerea izvoarelor cristaline, la razboaie si la dragoste. Intrebat care este secretul lui, artistul a raspuns ca secretul consta in a lasa harfa sa cante ceea ce ea doreste, fara ca artistul sa incerce sa ii impuna o anumita tema. Morala ar fi ca noi, ca si harfa, rezonam la anumite opere de arta, atunci cand ne regasim in acestea, noi fiind cei care dam sens operei de arta. Aceasta la randul ei, trebuie sa ne dea libertatea sa ne descoperim pe noi insine in ea, opera de arta neavand valoare in sine, fara aceste sentimente evocate in admirator.

Intalnirea a continuat cu prezentarea catorva principii prezente in arta japoneza, inclusiv in olaritul japonez, esenta artei japoneze gravitand in jurul caselor de ceai, al caror scop unic este sa ofere o experienta artistica totala. Principiul care guverneaza estetica japoneza zen este wabi-sabi, care desi este greu de explicat, ar putea fi definit ca si acceptarea faptului ca lumea in care traim nu este perfecta, iar lucrurile sunt in mare parte incomplete, acest lucru fiind reprezentat printr-un cerc incomplet.

Alte cateva principii de baza, regasite si in arta olaritului, sunt kanso (simplitatea, claritatea, eliminarea neesentialului. Obiectele de arta japoneze sunt facute pentru a fi admirate singure si in profunzime, de aceea modul de prezentare este clar, aerisit, spre deosebire de estetica europeana, unde mai multe obiecte de arta pot fi gasite in acelasi loc, insa acestea putand fi admirate doar superficial); fukinsei (asimetria, iregularitatea, evitarea simetriei cu orice pret, principiu inspirat din natura, unde cea mai mare parte a lucrurilor sunt asimetrice); shibui (minimalism orientat spre utilitate, obiectele fiind construite in asa fel incat sa poata sa isi indeplineasca scopul in cel mai direct si mai simplu mod cu putinta. Un bol de ceai are forma si dimensiunea potrivita, perfecta pentru a prepara si a servi ceai din acesta); shizen (naturalete, redarea naturaletei. In prezentare s-a dat exemplu gradina japoneza, care incearca sa redea naturaletea din natura, insa nu copiind-o, ci reprezentand-o prin diferite tehnici); yugen (profunzimea, sugestia, necesitatea ca in orice opera de arta admiratorul sa poata sa descopere ceva profund, ceva ce sa inspire, sau sa bucure, sau poate sa miste inima admiratorului. A fost dat exemplul unui bol de ceremonia ceaiului, in care publicul a fost invitat sa descopere interpretari, experiente personale); datsuzoku (evadarea de la norme, descoperirea a noi metode de exprimare artistica, printr-o libertate de exprimare care sa surprinda prin ceva inovator, deosebit, poate chiar radical). Ultimul principiu mentionat a fost seijaku (energizarea prin liniste, prin calm. Arta japoneza in general, ca si in cazul vaselor japoneze, are intotdeauna o nota de calm si sobrietate, contrastand cu viata alerta de zi cu zi de care dorim sa scapam atunci cand dorim sa ne cultivam spiritul.)

Odata aduse la cunostinta toate aceste lucruri, publicul a putut acum viziona un film documentar de 30 de minute, despre Setomono, olaritul din orasul Seto, recunoscut pentru vesela sa, care este expediata in toata Japonia. In cadrul acestui documentar am putut vedea cum se creeaza aceste vase ceramice, asa cum un mestesugar pastreaza o traditie de 31 de generatii. Am vazut diferite feluri de vase, am aflat ca acestea sunt pictate manual, fiecare fiind astfel unic, am vazut cum apoi se aplica glazura si cum acestea sunt arse in cuptoare. De asemenea am aflat ca exista un loc in acest oras unde, daca dorim, putem petrece cateva saptamani impreuna cu un maestru, pentru a invata sa confectionam astfel de vase. Cu siguranta ca sentimentul de a da forma lutului cu mainile noastre trebuie sa fie unul deosebit.

Dupa incheierea documentarului, dl Katsutaro Kawai a prezentat vesela ce a fost expusa in fata.

 Pentru fiecare participant s-a pregatit o portie de matcha cu lapte, in bolurile japoneze, fiecare participant avand astfel ocazia sa tina in propriile maini unul din bolurile de ceai, pentru a il admira si pentru a ii descoperi frumusetea si profunzimea. De asemenea ne-a fost prezentat un bol de ceai de o valoare foarte mare, care a fost daruit unei persoane importante atunci cand, acum multi ani, a avut loc casatoria actualui imparat al Japoniei. Atunci, s-au impartit in jur de 300 astfel de boluri, confectionate de un maestru olar renumit, unul din ele fiind daruit mai apoi Cercului “Prietenii Japoniei”.

In timp ce participantii serveau si admirau bolurile de ceai, dra Andreea M. a prezentat publicului cateva lucruri despre ceramica romaneasca, din Moldova, mai exact din localitatea Marginea, unde se produce o ceramica neagra unica in lume, in mod traditional. 

Am vazut cateva imagini cu diverse obiecte de arta, cu diferite utilitati. Ceramica neagra de la Marginea are ca element specific faptul ca pentru arderea vaselor se foloseste lemn de rasinoase, iar cuptorul in care sunt arse se inchide ermetic, astfel ca fumul ramane inauntru, iar ceramica ia culoarea neagra, a fumului. Acestea sunt ulterior decorate cu o piatra de rau, sau pictate. A fost interesant sa vedem faptul ca atat in Japonia, cat si in Romania, chiar daca vasele ceramice au scopuri putin diferite, inca se acorda importanta ceramicii, intr-o lume in care portelanul a luat locul multor obiecte folosite odinioara in viata de zi cu zi.

Dupa ce toata lumea a putut admira bolurile de ceai japoneze si dupa incheierea detaliilor aduse despre ceramica neagra de la Marginea, publicul a fost liber sa serveasca din bunatatile puse la dispozitie de catre Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei”, timp in care discutiile au continuat intre participanti in particular, dovedind faptul ca prezentarea a starnit interes in randul acestora.

*****English Version Bellow: *****

On 27^th October, Japan’s Friends Club organized the second cultural meeting of the month. The meeting had as a starting point the art of pottery in Japan, however in this meeting we wanted to go a step deeper and not limit ourselves to the superficial aspects of this art, and of Japanese art in general, in the belief that a certain level of knowledge about Japanese art and culture, about art itself, and about how we should approach art, must be known in order to be able to fully appreciate and experience a form of art and culture so distant and different from what we are used to. As decoration for our meeting, we used a few tea bowls and tea ceremony utensils, carefully arranged on a tatami mat, with a byobu panel behind.

The meeting started as usual, with the introduction of each participant, in an attempt to make our meetings look like a group of friends meeting to discuss and find out interesting things about a given subject, and not as a group of individual strangers, who come, get their information, stack it into a suitcase and return to their homes.

After this introductory moment, Mr. Radu N. started the presentation, talking about a few general, yet important aspects of Japanese art and aesthetics, starting from a Christian idea, which can also be found in the oriental culture, which tells us that people are made of two different things: body, which has a terrestrial origin, being made of clay, and spirit or soul, which has a higher, divine origin, making spirit superior to the body, which is but a tool or a vessel for the spirit.

In the same way that the body needs food to survive, the spirit needs something to fuel itself. Nowadays however, people concern themselves mostly or exclusively with the needs of the body. In Japanese zen philosophy, much more attention is paid to the spirit of a man, which is the one that is indeed alive and has a higher purpose than just live, the needs of the body being rendered secondary, much less important.

Art and the consumption of art is one of the most important ways of cultivating and feeding one’s spirit, but the appreciation of art does not come naturally, but through exercise, gaining sort of a skill, by the cultivation of which one can discover deeper and deeper meanings in a work of art. To understand the mechanism by which art can impress us, Mr. Radu quoted a fragment from a book called “The Book of Tea”, written by Okakura Kakuzo, where the man who admires art was represented by a untamed harp and art itself was represented by the prince of harpists, an artist. The story goes that nobody was able to play the harp, until the prince of harps came and started to play about various things, starting from the sparkling springs in the spring, to war and love. Asked what his secret was, the prince answered that the secret was to let the harf play whatever it wanted, without trying to enforce a specific tune.

The teaching of this story is that we, like the untamed harp, resonate with certain works of art when we can find our own selves in them, the ones who give significance to the work of art being us. The work of art needs to let us discover ourselves in it, the work itself being valueless without the feelings that get awakened within the admirer.

The meeting continued with the presentation of a few principles present in Japanese art, including pottery, the essence of japanese art revolving around tea houses, the purpose of which is to offer a complete artistic experience. The main principle governing zen aesthetics is wabi-sabi. While a little hard to explain, one definition could be: the acceptance that the world around us is not perfect, and things are, by and large, incomplete. This principle is represented in zen philosophy by an incomplete circle.

Another few principles of Japanese aesthetics, which can be found in pottery as well, are: kanso (simplicity, clarity, the elimination of clutter, inessential. Japanese artistic objects are made to be admired by themselves and in depth. For this reason, they are presented in a clear, uncluttered way, in contrast with european aesthetics, where many artistic objects can be found in the same place, rendering one unable to consume all of them in depth, only superficially); fukinsei (asymmetry, irregularity, the avoidance of symmetry by all means, principle inspired by nature, where most things are asymmetric); shibui (minimalism and utility, the objects are made in such a way that they meed their purpose in the most simple and direct way. A tea bowl, for example, has the perfect shape and size to prepare and drink matcha from it); shizen (naturalness and the representation of naturalnes. In the presentation, the exaple of a Japanese garden was given, not by trying to copy it, but by trying to represent natural principles by various techniques); yugen (profoundness, suggestion, the necessity that in any work of art, the admirer can find something profound, something to get inspired, to please or to move one’s heart. The example of a tea bowl was given, where the public was invited to discover interpretations or personal experiences in the shape, glaze or colors of the bowl); datsuzoku (escape from norm, the implementation of new, inovative or radical ways of artistic expression). The last principle that was mentioned was seijaku (revitalization through silence, peacefulness and calm. Japanese art in general, as in the case of japanese pottery, are made in way that brings peace and calm in the viewer’s heart, in contrast with the busy everyday life which we want to put aside when we are trying to cultivate our spirit)

Once all these things had been made known, the public was now prepared to watch a documentary of about 30 minutes, about Setomono, pottery originary from the city named Seto, renouned for its pottery, which is sent to the most distant parts of Japan. In this documentary we could see how these ceramic vessels are created, as a master potter is keeping alive a tradition of 31 generations. We saw different kinds of pottery, we found out that they are painted by hand, making each one unique, then we saw how the glaze is added and how they are then baked in large ovens. We also found that there is a place in the city where, if we want to, we can spend a few weeks together with a potter master, to teach us how to make ceramic pots.

After the documentary was over, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai presented the pottery that we had exposed as decoration. He prepared matcha latte for each participant, in the Japanese tea ceremony bowls, so that each participant could admire up close the bowls, holding it in their hands and discover its beauty and profoundness. A very valuable tea bowl was also presented, which had been given to an important person at the wedding of the current Emperor of Japan. Back then, about 300 such bowls have been created by a renouned master potter, one of them reaching Japan’s Friends Club as a donation.

              While the participants were admiring the bowls, Ms. Andreea M. presented a few things about Romanian ceramic in Moldova, more precisely from Marginea village, where a unique kind of ceramic is produced in a traditional way. We saw a few images with various pieces of art, having various purposes. The black ceramic from Marginea has as a specific element the fact that for baking the pots, resinous wood is used and the oven is tightly sealed, so that the smoke rests inside the oven, turning the ceramic black. These are traditionally decorated with a river stone afterwards, or they are painted. It was interesting to see that in Romania, like in Japan, even though ceramic pots have different purposes, they are still appreciated, in a world where porcelain replaced most objects used on a daily basis.

 After everyone could admire the bowls and after the presentation about the black ceramic at Marginea ended, the public was free to help themselves with the sweets that Japan’s Friends Club prepared, while the discussions went on, a sign that the presentation stirred up the participants’ interest on the topic.

Activitati culturale in perioada 22- 26 oct. 2012

Va anuntam ca in saptamana 22 – 26 octombrie, la Ceainaria cu specific japonez, “Sakura”, situata pe Calea Motilor, Nr. 48, vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

                   - Miercuri, 24 octombrie, orele 18:00 – 20:00, atelier de desen, unde vom invata sa desenam corect diferite lucruri, sau putem sa ne exersam talentul la desen intr-un cadru prietenos si dornic sa dea indrumari;

                   - Joi, 25 octombrie, orele 16:00 – 19:00, club de sah japonez, shogi. Va invitam sa descoperiti acest joc logic, si sa va dezvoltati propria dumneavoastra strategie;

                   - Vineri, 26 octombrie, orele 18:00 - 20:00, o prezentare despre moda japoneza la baieti, prezentare sustinuta de catre dra Emilia C.

       Va asteptam cu drag la ceainarie si la aceste evenimente.

Activitati culturale in saptamana 15-19 octombrie 2012

Va anuntam ca in saptamana curenta la Ceainaria cu specific japonez, “Sakura”, situata pe Calea Motilor, Nr. 48, vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

              - Miercuri, 17 octombrie, orele 18:00 – 20:00, atelier origami pentru avansati, unde vom invata sa confectionam lilieci;

               - Vineri, 19 octombrie, orele 18:00 – 20:00, seara de basme japoneze, unde vom lectura basme japoneze, insotite de imagini.

              Va reamintim ca acum ceainaria functioneaza dupa programul obisnuit, de luni pana vineri, intre orele 12:00 – 20:00.

              Va asteptam cu drag la ceainarie si la aceste evenimente.

                            Organizatorii,

                                          Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei”

Fascinantul oras Kyoto - In discutie in 13 octombrie

        Sambata, 13 octombrie, Cercul “Prietenii Japoniei” a reintrat in intalnirile tematice obisnuite, de aceasta data abordand o tema poate prea mare pentru a fi consumata intr-o singura intalnire. Tema aleasa a fost orasul Kyoto, numit Heian-kyo (Capitala pacii si a tranchilitatii) atunci cand a fost desemnat capitala in anul 794, ramanand capitala imperiala a Japoniei timp de aproape 1100 de ani, fiind si in zilele noastre capitala culturala a Japoniei. Fiind un oras mult prea incarcat de cultura pentru timpul pe care am putut sa i-l alocam in intalnirea noastra, nu am putut sa vorbin decat superficial despre ceea ce se afla in spatele multora din aspecte culturale si obiectivele care au fost aduse in discutie, incercarea noastra fiind de aceasta data, mai mult decat sa aprofundam o singura latura a acestui oras, sa deschidem cat mai multe punti pentru studiu individual in randul participantilor.

Intalnirea a inceput prin obisnuita prezentare a participantilor, care aveau pasiuni diverse legate de Japonia, de la animatiile japoneze la literatura, pictura, limba si alte domenii interesante. Dupa acest moment introductiv, dl Radu Nedisan a inceput prezentarea propriu-zisa.

Din prezentare am aflat diverse lucruri interesante, iar publicul s-a aratat interesat si placut impresionat de informatiile noi, majoritatea necunoscute pana atunci. Printre lucrurile interesante pe care le-am aflat se numara si faptul ca orasul Kyoto a fost pe pragul de a fi distrus din temelii in timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial, cand a fost amenintat cu atacul cu bomba atomica, dar care din fericire nu a mai avut loc datorita ministrului de razboi al SUA din acea vreme, care fusese in luna de miere in Kyoto si a dorit sa il salveze.

Kyoto este un oras foarte frumos, situat in interiorul insulei principale a Japoniei, Honshu, si nu are iesire la mare. Acesta este in schimb inconjurat din trei parti de munti inalti de aproximativ 1000 de metri, acoperiti cu paduri. Orasul este foarte armonios integrat in natura, fiind de altfel asezat dupa principii Feng Shui, cateva din principalele atractii fiind florile de cires, frunzele de artar si padurea de bambus. Pe langa acestea exista o sumedenie de temple buddhiste si pagode shintoiste care pot fi vizitate, intre care cele mai renumite sunt Kiyomizu-dera (Templul apei pure), Kinkakuji (Templul cu Pavilionul de aur), Heian-jingu, Fushimi-inari, templul gradinii cu pietre, Ryoanji (Templul Dragonului Pacii). Alte atractii dintre cele prezentate sunt Castelul Nijo si vila imperiala Katsura, renumita pentru gradinile sale.

Kyoto nu este renumit numai pentru temple si pagode. Kyoto este si un oras al festivalelor, existand 3 mari festivale, dintre care doua au loc in Kyoto de peste 1000 de ani. Cele trei mari festivale sunt Aoi Matsuri, Gion Matsuri si Jidai Matsuri, cel mai mare fiind Gion Matsuri, atractia principala a acestuia fiind parada ce are loc pe strazile orasului, cu carele uriase de 12 tone trase de oameni.

Gion nu este doar numele festivalului, ci si numele celui mai renumit si mai exclusivist cartier al orasului, cunoscut pentru geishele care inca duc mai departe aceasta traditie. Geishele din Gion se numesc Geiko – copii ai artei.

La finalul prezentarii am vizionat un scurt documentar despre Kyoto, din perspectiva sunetului. Documentarul s-a concentrat pe mestesugarii care isi duc mai departe arta pastrata in familie de multi ani. Toti acesti mestesugari se bazau pe sunetul pe care il scoteau instrumentele cu care lucrau, si pe ritm, pentru a realiza niste lucrari cat mai reusite si mai deosebite. Incercarea noastra a fost de a sensibiliza publicul spre acest fel de obiecte confectionate manual, incurajandu-i sa incerce si ei sa confectioneze diverse lucruri manual, dand ca exemplu acest oras de 1,5 milioane de locuitori, in care activitatea de baza a multor oameni este confectionarea de lucruri diverse, manual, pastrand astfel traditii de generatii.

Dupa incheierea prezentarii, dra Minodora B. a prezentat putin din propria experienta in Kyoto, incurajandu-ne ca, in cazul in care vom merge acolo in vizita, sa ne luam cu noi pe cineva care stie lucruri mai profunde despre diferitele locuri care urmeaza sa fie vizitate. 

Experienta drei Minodora a fost una frumoasa, chiar daca atunci nu avea loc nici un festival si, fiind o zi ploioasa, vizitand cartierul Gion nu a reusit sa vada nici o geisha. Celor care nu au ocazia sa viziteze Kyoto, si care doresc totusi sa afle mai multe despre acest oras fascinant, dra Minodora le-a recomandat sa citeasca romanul „Vechiul oras imperial”, scris de Yasunari Kawabata, primul  scriitor japonez laureat cu premiul Nobel.  .

Inainte de finalul intalnirii, dl Katsutaro Kawai a lansat o invitatie la Seara de basme japoneze ce avea sa aiba loc in ziua de vineri, proiectand ca exemple cateva basme scurte, parodiate, dupa bine cunoscutul basm Momotaro.

Basmele au fost foarte amuzante, creand multa buna dispozitie in randul participantilor.

Dupa acest moment de incheiere, participantii au fost liberi sa serveasca din bunatatile pregatite din partea Cercului „Prietenii Japoniei”, dupa care fiecare s-a intors acasa cu cateva cunostinte in plus despre aceasta frumoasa tara, Japonia.

********English Version bellow:********

On Saturday, October 13^th, Japan’s Friends Club restarted its usual cultural meetings, this time deciding to talk about a topic too vast to cover completely in a single meeting. The topic was the city of Kyoto, called Heian-kyo (the Capital of peace and Tranquility) when it was named Capital in 794, remaining the imperial Capital of Japan for almost 1100 years, and still remaining the cultural capital of Japan, to this day. Since the city is way too rich in culture for the allocated time in our meeting, we couldn’t but only talk superficially about what lies behind many of the cultural aspects and and objectives that had been brought to question. Therefore, this time our attempt this time was more than getting behind a single aspect of the city, to open to the participants as many ways to discovering this city as possible.

The meeting started with the usual introduction of the participants, who had various interests regarding Japan, from Japanese anime to literature, painting, the Japanese language and others. After this introductory moment, Mr. Radu Nedisan started his presentation about Kyoto.

We found out various interesting things from the presentation, the public showing interest for the presented elements and impressed by the new information, the majority of which had been unknown to that point. Among the interesting facts that we found out there is the fact that Kyoto was about to be destroyed during the Second World War, when it was threatened by nuclear attack. The attack didn’t take place in the end, thanks to the Secretary of War in the USA at that time, who had been to Kyoto in his honeymoon and wanted to save the city.

Kyoto is a bueautiful city, located inside the main island of Japan, Honshu, and it has no connection to the sea. It is, however, surrounded by 1000 meter, forest covered mountains from three sides. The city is beautifully integrated in the surrounding nature, its core buildings being arranged by Fenf Shui principles, some of the main natural attractions being sakura blossoms, momiji leaves in autumn and the bamboo forest. Besides these, there is a great number of buddhist temples and shinto pagodas which can be visited, the most renouned being Kiyomizu-dera (The Temple of Pure Water), Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion), Heian-jingu, Fushimi-inari, the stone garden of Ryouanji temple (The Temple of the Dragon at Peace). Other attractions that have been presented are the Nijo Castle and the Katsura Imperial Villa, renouned for its surrounding gardens.

Kyoto is not only renouned for its temples and pagodas. It is also a city full of festivals, with three major festivals, two of which taking place in Kyoto for more than 1000 years. The three major festivals are Aoi Matsuri, Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri, the most important being Gion Matsuri, with its main attraction being the parade that takes place on the street, consisting of 12 ton floats, pulled by people.

Gion is not only the name of the greatest festival in Kyoto, but also the name of the most renouned and exclusivist neighborhood in Kyoto, renouned for the Geishas who still preserve their tradition. The Geishas in Gion are called Geiko - children of the art.

At the end of the presentation we watched a short documentary about Kyoto, from the perspective of sound. The documentary focused on the craftsmen who live and work in the city, helping to preserve the art they inherited from their families from ages. 

For all these craftsmen, the sound and rhythm which their tools produced were very important for the brilliance of their work. We attempted to touch the public in this respect, encouraging them to make things with their hands, things which have much more value than what you can buy in a store, giving them as an example Kyoto, a city of 1.5 milion people, where you can find so many craftsmen still working on a daily basis as their families used to for centuries.

              After Radu’s presentation, Ms. Minodora B. presented a little of her own experience in Kyoto, encouraging us that, if we ever go to Kyoto, to take a local guide who can tell us more profound things about each thing and place that we would visit. Ms. Minodora’s experience was a beautiful one, even though in that period there was no significant festival taking place, and since it was rainy, the experience of seeing a geisha in person, visiting Gion, remained but a desire. Ms. Minodora also suggested to the people who want to learn more about Kyoto, and will not have the chance to visit it soon, to read a book called “The Old Imperial City”, by famos writer Yasunari Kawabata.

              Before the end of the meeting, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai sent an invitation to the Japanese Folk Tales’ Evening event that was going to take place the next Friday. Several short parodies of the well known folk tale called Momotaro, which were very funny and joyfully appreciated by the participants.

              After this final moment, the participants were free to enjoy the food that the Club offered, then they went home with a little more knowledge about this beautiful country that is Japan.