The Hawaii Herald

Entries categorized as ‘Art’

Friday bullets and Happy Holidays

December 26, 2008 · No Comments

Happy Holidays to everyone out there in cyberland. Hope it was a relaxing and a safe one - as always, we present to you interesting news from around the globe . . .

  • A lengthy article on new Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu in the New York Times about his efforts to be a role model for fellow Japanese Americans.
  • The Japanese fishing industry gets a lift from . . . technology?

Categories: Art · Japan news · Sports

Wednesday bullets

August 27, 2008 · No Comments

  • Jim Allen, sportswriter for the Daily Yomiuri, writes that Japanese baseball needs to learn how to travel before they find international success.

Categories: Art · Entertainment · Japan news · Sports
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Quick links

July 17, 2008 · No Comments

  • Groundbreaking pitcher Hideo Nomo retired today. The 39-year-old Nomo burst onto the scene with the Dodgers in 1995 and captured the National League Rookie of the Year award. Along the way he opened up the door for Japanese players to star in the major league and even pitched two no-hitters.
  • The polarizing dispute between Japan and South Korea over two islands in the Sea of Japan is heating up. The latest casualty? Japanese condom ads in Seoul.
  • Japan’s Akutagawa Prize, which is awarded to rising young authors, is making waves in the press. That’s because foreigners are winning the award and, according to this editorial in the Daily Yomiuri, that’s a good thing.

Categories: Art · Food · Japan news · Music · Sports
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America loves Japanese glass art

June 27, 2008 · No Comments

Japanese art has spanned many genres - woodblock prints, calligraphy, ceramics - but, as The Wall Street Journal’s Lee Lawrence writes in this article, Japanese artists are embracing a new medium: glass art.

According to Lawrence, glass art has not been around for a long time in Japan. It was introduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century, experimented with in the 19th century and has only taken off as an art form in the last hundred years.

In the early 20th century, Toshichi Iwata was the first to delve into the art form and created colorful pieces that are still revered today. His apprentice, Kyohei Fujita, carried on Iwata’s legacy and garnered international fame. When glass art took off around the world, Iwata’s son, Hisatoshi, formed the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association, which helped to spread the medium and foster the genre among new artists.

Contemporary Japanese artists, both men and women, continue to push the creative boundaries of the medium and have also become internationally known. Still, the Japanese public, seemingly attached to the traditional ceramics genre, has not caught on to the new phenomenon and curators have found it difficult to fund their exhibits.

But while glass art is unstable in Japan, America is another story. Curators in the U.S. have praised Japanese glass artists as being at the forefront of the art form. This article by Mary Thomas of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praises the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s exhibit “Allure of Japanese Glass” as being “mesmerizing.”

And Lawrence points out that there is a silver lining for Japanese artists as American collectors are frequently turning to Japan to find quality works:

In the U.S., on the other hand, “we have a wonderful base of glass collectors and many sizeable collectors’ groups,” says New York gallery owner Alice Chappell, who began showing Japanese glass art over two decades ago. Collectors’ groups organize lectures, demonstrations, studio visits, trips, hands-on workshops — all to educate members on the medium. This, in turn, fosters appreciation and the willingness to pay thousands of dollars for works that show innovation, creativity and mastery. Which explains why many American collectors today are setting their sights on Japan.

Categories: Art
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Japanese vampires and some neat photos

June 12, 2008 · No Comments

We at The Hawaii Herald hope you all enjoyed Kamehameha Day - that is, if you were lucky enough to get the day off. If you did, welcome back to work. If you didn’t, well, the weekend is just around the corner. Need help passing time until tomorrow? Try these two stories:

  • Jenny Haworth writes in The Scotsman that Japanese “vampire” bugs could be let loose on the Japanese knotweed, which is wrecking havoc over Scotland and the UK. The bug, which sucks the sap from the plant, is needed in the country because the knotweed has no natural enemies in Scotland.

Categories: Art · Science
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Today’s bullets

June 9, 2008 · No Comments

  • The war of words between directors Spike Lee and Clint Eastwood on the role of African Americans in the fight for Iwo Jima is heating up. From this Time article by Alex Altman: “‘Clint Eastwood made two films about Iwo Jima that ran for more than four hours total, and there was not one Negro actor on the screen,’ Lee said at the Cannes Film Festival. ‘In his version of Iwo Jima, Negro soldiers did not exist.’ Eastwood’s counter: ‘Has he ever studied history? [African-American soldiers] didn’t raise the flag,’ he said. ‘If I go ahead and put an African-American actor in there, they’d say, “This guy’s lost his mind.’” Eastwood also told Lee to ’shut his face,’ prompting Lee to amplify the racism charge: ‘[Eastwood] is not my father and we’re not on a plantation, either,’ he fumed. ‘I’m not making this up. I know history.’”
  • The Contra Costa Times describes how a life-planning class for Japanese-speaking seniors in El Cerrito is thriving and looks to continue well into the future.
  • Roger Shimomura, a former internee turned artist, will have his work displayed this summer. From the Joplin Independent: “[The exhibit] showcases a selection of works that illustrate Shimomura’s uniquely bicultural style and penchant for integrating images from ukiyo-e woodcut prints with images from American popular culture. It’s been described as ‘Pop Art with a Japanese twist.’ Using humor as a weapon, his artwork moves from ironic constructions of cultural identity to biting denunciations of racial prejudice.”

Categories: Art · Entertainment · Japanese American internment · Japanese Americans · Sports
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Your 2008 Bon Dance Schedule

May 29, 2008 · 2 Comments

In a few short weeks, the Buddhist O-bon season will be upon us once again. In the Buddhist tradition, the summer months of O-bon are the time of the year when the spirits of departed loved ones return to visit their families and friends, sharing in the fellowship and enjoying the lively music, festive dances and colorful chöchin paper lanterns that can be found at bon dances and cemeteries.

Throughout Hawai‘i, bon dances are scheduled from the first Saturday in June (June 7) until the last Saturday in August. The final bon dance opportunity is the Sept. 20 Autumn Dance Matsuri at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. Certain Jodo Mission temples will also hold toro nagashi ceremonies, sending lighted paper lanterns out to sea and back to the spirit world. So, get out your yukata (summer cotton kimono) or hapi coat and welcome home the spirits this bon dance season.

The Hawaii Herald called each of the temples on this list to confirm these dates and gather additional information regarding o-bon services and toro nagashi ceremoies. Please note that the times are subject to change.

BIG ISLAND

June 14 (Sat.): Honomu Henjoji Mission, 7:45 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (963-6308 )

June 21 (Sat.): Keauhou Shopping Center (Kona Hongwanji), 6 p.m. (323-2993)

June 21 (Sat.): Papaikou Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (964-1640)

June 28 (Sat.): Honomu Hongwanji, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (963-6032)

July 4 & 5 (Fri./Sat.) Puna Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (966-9981)

July 5 (Sat.): Keei Temple (Kona Hongwanji), 7 p.m. bon dance (323-2993)

July 5 (Sat.): Kohala Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (775-7232)

July 11 & 12 (Fri./Sat.): Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (961-6677)

July 12 (Sat.): Paauilo Hongwanji, 6 p.m. bon dance (776-1369)

July 12 (Sat.): Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance, 9 p.m. performance by Daifukuji Taiko (322-3524)

July 12 (Sat.): Kohala Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (889-5456)

July 18 & 19 (Fri./Sat.): Hilo Meisho-in, both nights: bon dance at 7 p.m., Saturday service at 7 p.m. (935-6996)

July 19 (Sat.): Honokaa Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (775-7232)

July 26 (Sat.): Papaaloa Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (962-6340)

July 26 (Sat.): Kona Hongwanji, 6 p.m. lantern parade, 7 p.m. bon dance (323-2993)

July 26 (Sat.): Hilo Hooganji Mission, 6 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (935-8331)

July 26 (Sat.): Kurtistown Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (966-9777)

Aug. 2: (Sat.): Paauilo Kongoji Mission, 4:30 p.m. cemetery visitation, 5 p.m. temple service, 7 p.m. bon dance (776-1474)

Aug. 2 (Sat.): Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance, 9 p.m. performance by Taishoji Taiko (935-8407)

Aug. 2 (Sat.): Hawi Jodo Mission, 8 p.m. bon dance (889-5456)

Aug. 9 (Sat.): Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, 5 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (324-1741)

Aug. 9 (Sat.): Hamakua Jodo Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (889-5456)

Aug. 9 (Sat.): Hilo Higashi Hongwanji, 8 p.m. bon dance (935-8968 )

Aug. 16 (Sat.): Kamuela Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance, (885-4481)

Aug. 23 (Sat.): Honohina Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (963-6032)

Aug. 23 (Sat.): Puna Hongwanji Pahoa Shibu, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (966-9981)

Aug. 30 (Sat.): Hakalau Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (966-9777)

KAUA‘I

June 6 & 7 (Fri./Sat.): West Kauai Hongwanji Hanapepe Temple, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (338-1537)

June 13 & 14 (Fri./Sat.): Lihue Hongwanji, 7:45 p.m. bon dance (245-6262)

June 20 & 21 (Fri./Sat.): Waimea Shingon Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (338-1854)

June 27 & 28 (Fri./Sat.): Kapaa Jodo Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance; o-bon service on June 22 at 10 a.m., toro nagashi on the Wailua River on July 13, 7:30 p.m. (822-4319)

July 4 & 5 (Fri./Sat.): West Kauai Hongwanji Waimea Temple, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (338-1537)

July 11 & 12 (Fri./Sat.): Kapaa Hongwanji, 7:30 p.m. bon dance; service to precede bon dance on Friday (822-4667)

July 18 & 19 (Fri./Sat.): Waimea Higashi Hongwanji, 7 p.m. service on Friday, 7:30 p.m. service on Saturday; 8 p.m. bon dance (338-1847)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): West Kauai Hongwanji Koloa Temple, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (338-1537)

Aug. 1 & 2 (Fri./Sat.): Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji, 7 p.m. bon dance (335-3521)

Aug. 8 & 9 (Fri./Sat.): Koloa Jodo Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (Aug. 3 service at 10 a.m.; Aug. 17 toro nagashi at 7:30 p.m. at Kukui‘ula Boat Harbor) (742-6735)

MAUI/LANA‘I/MOLOKA‘I

June 7 (Sat.): Lahaina Shingon Mission, 6:30 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (661-0466)

June 14 (Sat.): Puunene Nichiren Mission, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (871-4831)

June 20 (Fri.): Wailuku Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (244-0066)

June 21 (Sat.): Wailuku Shingon Mission, 6:30 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (244-3800)

June 27 & 28 (Fri./Sat.): Lahaina Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (661-4600)

July 5 (Sat.): Lahaina Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. toro nagashi, followed by bon dance (661-4304)

July 11 & 12 (Fri./Sat.): Paia Mantokuji Soto Mission, 6 p.m. service; 7:15 p.m. performances by Mantokuji Taiko and Maui Taiko on Friday, Mantokuji Taiko and Denshin Daiko on Saturday; 8 p.m. bon dance (579-8051)

July 12 (Sat.): Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai, 5:30 p.m. performance by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, 6:30 p.m. bon dance (553-5197)

July 12 (Sat.): Lanai Hongwanji, 7 p.m. bon dance (244-0406)

July 18 & 19 (Fri./Sat.): Kahului Hongwanji, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (871-4732)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): Makawao Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (572-7229)

Aug. 1 & 2 (Fri./Sat.): Wailuku Hongwanji, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (244-0406)

Aug. 8 & 9 (Fri./Sat.): Kahului Jodo Mission, 7 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (871-4911)

Aug. 16 (Sat.): Paia Rinzai Zen Mission, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (579-9921)

Aug. 23 (Sat.): Kula Shingon Mission Shofukuji, 6:30 service, 7:30 bon dance (878-1833)

O‘AHU

June 7 (Sat.): Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, 4 p.m. Buddhist service, 6 p.m. bon dance (677-0110)

June 21 (Sat.): Ewa Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (677-4221)

June 27 & 28 (Fri./Sat.): Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 6:30 p.m. bon dance (536-7044)

June 27 & 28 (Fri./Sat.): Wahiawa Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m. service (English on Friday, Japanese on Saturday), 7:30 p.m. bon dance both nights (622-4320)

July 4 & 5 (Fri./Sat.): Moiliili Hongwanji, 7:15 p.m. bon dance follows short o-bon service (949-1659)

July 5 (Sat.): Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 6:30 p.m. bon dance (247-2661)

July 11 & 12 (Fri./Sat.): Koboji Shingon Mission, 7 p.m. bon dance, (841-7033)

July 11 & 12 (Fri./Sat.): Waipahu Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m. service on Friday, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (677-4221)

July 12 (Sat.): Tendai Hawaii Betsuin, 7 p.m. bon dance (595-2556)

July 18 & 19 (Fri./Sat.) Shinshu Kyokai Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (973-0156)

July 18 & 19 (Fri./Sat.): Haleiwa Shingon Mission, 6:30 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance (637-4423)

July 19 (Sat.): Kailua Hongwanji, 7 p.m. bon dance (262-4560)

July 19 (Sat.): Kahuku Hongwanji, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (622-4320)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): Jikoen Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m. bon dance (845-3422)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): Haleiwa Jodo Mission, both nights: 6:30 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance, 9 p.m. toro nagashi on Saturday (637-4382)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission, 7:30 p.m. bon dance; 7 and 8:30 p.m. performances by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko; Saturday only: 9 p.m. Okinawan bon dance with Hawaii Eisa Shinyu Kai (622-1429)

July 25 & 26 (Fri./Sat.): Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 7 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (531-9088 )

July 26 (Sat.): Waianae Hongwanji, 7 p.m. bon dance (7 p.m. service on Friday) (677-4221)

Aug. 1 & 2 (Fri./Sat.): Palolo Hongwanji, 7 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (732-1491)

Aug. 1 & 2 (Fri./Sat.): Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, both nights: 6:30 p.m. service, 8 p.m. bon dance; Friday: 9:15 p.m. performance by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko (671-3103)

Aug. 2 (Sat.): Waialua Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (625-0925)

Aug. 8 & 9 (Fri./Sat.): Shingon Shu Hawaii, 6:30 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (941-5663)

Aug. 8 & 9 (Fri./Sat.): Soto Mission of Aiea – Taiheiji, 7:30 p.m. bon dance; 7 p.m. taiko performance both days; Okinawan bon dance with Hawaii Eisa Shinyu Kai Saturday at 9 p.m. (488-6794)

Aug. 8 & 9 (Fri./Sat.): Pearl City Hongwanji, both nights: service at 6:15 p.m., bon dance at 7:30 p.m. (455-1680)

Aug. 15 & 16 (Fri./Sat.): Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 7 p.m. bon dance (949-3995)

Aug. 15 & 16 (Fri./Sat.): Soto Mission of Hawaii – Shoboji, 7 p.m. bon dance both days, o-bon service precedes Friday bon dance (537-9409)

Aug. 15 & 16 (Fri./Sat.): Mililani Hongwanji, 7:30 p.m. bon dance (625-0925)

Aug. 23 (Sat.): Aiea Hongwanji, 6 p.m. service, 7 p.m. bon dance (488-5685)

Aug. 30 (Sat.): Okinawan Festival, 5:30 p.m. bon dance at Kapi‘olani Park (676-5400)

Sept. 20 (Sat.): Autumn Dance Matsuri at Hawaii Okinawa Center, 5 p.m. (676-5400)

Bon Dance

Photo courtesy of Alan Kubota/Lenscapes

Categories: Art · Entertainment · Music · Updates
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