OrigamicArchitecture Exhibition
November 16, 2009-February 25, 2010
Origamic architecture involves the three-dimensional reproduction of architecture, geometric patterns, everyday objects, or other images, on various scales, using cut-out and folded paper, usually thin cardboard. Visually, these creations are comparable to intricate 'pop-ups', indeed, some works are deliberately engineered to possess 'pop-up'-like properties. However, origamic architecture tends to be cut out of a single sheet of paper, whereas most pop-ups involve two or more. To create a three-dimensional image out of a two-dimensional surface requires skill akin to that of an architect.
Varieties of existing buildings of the world, from historical to contemporary, are included in this show. All models are designed by the late Masahiro Chatani (1934-2008). Many exhibited models will be freshly constructed in Toronto by local Canadian folders.
Return to top
Japanese Film Screenings
in Toronto
December 9-13, 2009
presented by
The Japan Foundation
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., Toronto
(416) 516-2331
www.bloorcinema.com
Admission: FREE
No RSVP required
Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 pm
The Stars Converge
Thursday, December 10, 7:00 pm
Women in the Mirror
Saturday, December 12, 7:00 pm
The Milk Woman
Sunday, December 13, 4:30 pm
Dog in a Sidecar
Return to top
Nov. 11-15 Cinema Kabuki
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
CINEMA KABUKI
in High Definition on the Big Screen
including two Canadian premieres, The Peony Lantern and Triple Lion Dance
November 11-15, 2009
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
259 Richmond St. West
Tickets: $23.00 (tax included)
Since its birth in the 1600s, Kabuki theatre remains at the cutting edge with live productions featuring some of the best Kabuki actors. Cinema Kabuki series are recorded by multiple HD cameras for screening in movie theatres by high-quality digital projectors and 6-channel sound.
Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 PM
Dojoji - A Lover's Duet (a dance performance)
Kyokanoko Musume Ninin Dojoji
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Naoya Hasumi
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2006
71 minutes
Subtitled in English
Tamasaburo, one of Japan's most renowned dancers, and rising star Kikunosuke create elegant mirror images to underscore the beauty and eroticism of one soul divided by the sacred and the profane in Dojoji - A Lover's Duet. Abandoning the sacred path has transformed a beautiful young woman into a serpent. Dancing at a dedication ceremony for a temple bell, the woman/serpent rediscovers her higher self.
|
 |
|
Thursday, November 12, 7:00 PM
The Sentimental Plasterer (a domestic comedy)
Nionjobanashi Binshoichi Mottoi |
Based on a Rakugo story told by Sanyutei Encho
Revised and directed for the stage and Cinema Kabuki by Yoji Yamada
Recorded live at Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
87 minutes
Subtitled in English
Chobei, a skillful plasterer, blithely gambles his family into poverty. To feed the family, his daughter Ohisa turns to prostitution. Touched by Ohisa's selfless love for her parents, a Madam arranges a loan for Chobei. On the way home, Chobei saves a young man who, having lost a large sum, is about to commit suicide. But who will believe this story? Surely Chobei has gambled away the family's last chance. Starring Kanzaburo and Senjaku as Chobei and his wife.
|
 |
Saturday, November 14, 1:00 PM
Triple Lion Dance (a dance performance)
Renjishi |
Written by Mokuami Kawatake
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Yoji Yamada
Recorded live at Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
55 minutes
Subtitled in English
The Kabuki Lion Dance usually features a father/son duo as two powerful lions who explore the challenging father/son relationship. The Triple Lion Dance is extraordinary not only because it stars the legendary Kanzaburo, but also his talented sons Kantaro and Shichinosuke who shine as the younger lions, showcasing three of Japan¹s most revered mythical beasts. Look for unusual hand-held shishi masks which evolve into majestic full mane costumes. The Lion Dance enactment is one of the most prestigious and sought-after roles for Kabuki dancers.
|
 |
Saturday, November 14, 3:00 PM
The Peony Lantern (a ghost story)
Kaidain Botan Doro |
Based on a rakugo story by Sanyutei Encho
Written by Nobuyuki Onishi
Directed for stage by Ichiro Inui
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Hiroyuki Nakatani
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
155 minutes plus 15 minutes intermission
Subtitled in English
The distant sound of clogs and the haunting light of the Peony Lantern are the signs of the lady ghost's advent. By the amulets placed around the young man's house the ghosts are kept out. But the cunning spectres bribe the young man's starving servant Tomozo and his wife Omine to help them by removing the amulets. Kabuki's “golden pair” Nizaemon and Tamasaburo breathtakingly portray the tragicomic relationship of a couple who climb up from poverty by human greed only to crash down from their newfound splendour through a hellish curse.
|
 |
Sunday, November 15, 3:30 PM
Nezumi, The Japanese Robin Hood (a satirical comedy)
Nezumi Kozo, Noda Version |
Written and directed for the stage by Hideki Noda
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2003
110 minutes
Subtitled in English
Nezumi, a sort of 18th-century Robin Hood, is a Japanese urban legend. His passion for money drives a cynical, duplicitous coffin maker to take on Nezumi’s mantle. In this kaleidoscope of disguise and deception, society’s pretenses are destroyed in a melting pot of farce, social satire and courtroom drama. The mighty are brought low to everyone’s delight. Contemporary theatre genius Hideki Noda collaborates with Kabuki theatre at the invitation of celebrated actor Kanzaburo.
Return to top |
 |
Sept. 2-Nov. 17 Graphics in Bloom: Koichi Sato Poster Design
September 2 - November 7, 2009
Koichi Sato (b. 1944, Tokyo), a graphic designer with a scientist's mind, he visually questions and defines his nation's and humanity's place in the world.
The boundary between the past and the future, the traditional and the revolutionary is found in many forms in Koichi Sato's work. Influenced by the scientific understanding he acquired in the 1950s, and inspired by haiku as well as the poetry of music and theater, this master has conquered a dichotomy within himself by expressing it on paper. His work often combines a tight line with gradation, or images of space with the scribblings of man. Sato is a logician with a poet's desire to reach within. He is also a technical genius with a legendary interest in and understanding of the methods of his trade. In 1969 Sato graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. After working for Shiseido for two years, he opened his own design office. His clients have included theatrical groups, fashion designer Jurgen Lehl, the established department store Mitsukoshi, paper manufactuer Takeo and Sogetsu, an established school of flower arranging.
-Maggie Kinser Hohle
Return to top |
|
|
Sept. 25 Silver Roots Concert
SILVER ROOTS
featuring violinist Maria Kaneko Millar
Concert Date & Time
Friday, September 25th at 7:30 pm (doors open 7:00 pm)
Silver Roots lives in the continuum between classical and world music. Fronted by Juilliard graduates Shawn Wyckoff (flute) and Maria Kaneko Millar (violin), Silver Roots performs revolutionary, customized programmes that draw from a mix of classical and world music, original works and improvisation. Communication is the driving force behind Silver Roots, whether through masterful execution and interpretation, conversations with the audience, sharing the history behind the music or even song & dance! By utilizing every part of the performer - the fingers, the mind, the voice and the story - Silver Roots redefines the concert-going experience.
This concert, titled Japan Meets World, explores the intersection between Japanese music and the Western World. The programme will include Japanese and Western classical and traditional music as well as works by Maria Kaneko Millar for violin, flute, cello, voice and dance.
Click here
for complete musician bios and programme (TBA)
Visit Silver Roots' website
This concert is being supported by the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto.
Return to top |
|
|
June 17 - Aug.27 Four Seasons of Gardens in Kyoto
|
|
Throughout history, Japanese culture has been strongly influenced by foreign culture and aesthetics, including Chinese Buddhism in the ancient period, Zen Buddhism in medieval times, Confucian philosophy during the Edo Shogunate, and European modern civilization in the Meiji period. Japanese gardens are no exception and have experienced constant transfiguration under foreign influence, while still maintaining some kind of continuity.
One of the unique characteristics of the Japanese garden is the relationship between man and nature. In describing his own creations of over 40 years, Kyoto-born photographer Katsuhiko Mizuno has said that nothing in his photos is either purely natural or purely artificial. He always sees the hands of gardeners or stolen glances of long-gone visitors behind a tree or a rock in the gardens, and captures the aura of timeless spirits with his camera. In the old capital of Kyoto even nature unfolds its seasonal cycle in the context of human history.
Two DVD presentations will screen along with the exhibition. Audrey Hepburn (Japanese Gardens, 1993, 25 min.) and the music of Toru Takemitsu (Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden, 1992, 57 min.) will guide you through Japanese gardens. The films will be repeated continuously, so there is no need to make a reservation.
Return to top
|
March 10 - June 9 Passage to the Future: Art from a New Generation in Japan
Passage to the Future:
Art from a New Generation in Japan
March 10 - June 9, 2009
Atsushi Fukui
Satoshi Hirose
Maywa Denki
Tomoyasu Murata
Tetsuya Nakamura
Masafumi Sanai
Katsuhiro Saiki
Yoshihiro Suda
Tabaimo
Nobuyuki Takahashi
Miyuki Yokomizo
|
|
|
The Japan Foundation is pleased to present Passage to the Future: Art from a New Generation in Japan, an exhibition that focuses on art being produced in Japan at the beginning of the 21st century. It showcases the work of eleven younger artists who are presently attracting a great deal of attention. The 1990s saw major shifts on the economic and political order of the world, and many people have responded by turning away from larger issues and concentrating on smaller and more intimate areas of life, in essence, reexamining the ground under their own feet. In contemporary art as well, there has been a worldwide tendency for artists to take a greater interest in everyday life and focus on the expression of very personal perceptions and feelings.
This exhibition presents paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, and video works by eleven Japanese artists who are responding in a similar way to the current state of the world. They take their subject matter from their immediate surroundings and make art that strongly reflects their own personal reality. Their work has a rich visual impact and reveals a strong interest in the process of making things. We hope that this exhibition will allow viewers to experience the freshness and vitality of current Japanese art and at the same time provide an opportunity for renewed thinking and debate about the fundamental appeal and meaning of art.
 The presentation of this exhibition in Toronto is part of the celebration of 80 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan.
Return to top
|
March 26-28 Cinema Kabuki
 |
CINEMA KABUKI
March 26 and 28, 2009
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Tickets: $23.00
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
259 Richmond St. W
www.cineplex.com |
Avant-garde in the 1600s, this traditional form of Japanese theatre remains at the cutting edge with live productions featuring some of the best Kabuki actors. Cinema Kabuki series are recorded by multiple HD cameras for theatrical screening with high-quality digital projectors and 6-channel sound.
|
Thursday, March 26, 7:00 PM
Nezumi, The Japanese Robin Hood (a satirical comedy)
Written and directed for the stage by Hideki Noda
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, 2003
110 minutes
Subtitled in English
Saturday, March 28, 1:00 PM
Dojoji - A Lover's Duet (a dance performance)
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Naoya Hasumi
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2006
71 minutes
Subtitled in English
Saturday, March 28, 3:30 PM
The Sentimental Plasterer (a domestic comedy)
Based on a Rakugo story told by Sanyutei Encho
Revised and directed for the stage and Cinema Kabuki by Yoji Yamada
Recorded live at Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
87 minutes
Subtitled in English
Return to top
|
|
|
Nov. 25, 2008 - Feb. 26, 2009 Enso: Contemporary Calligraphy Exhibition by Noriko Maeda
|
November 25, 2008 - February 26, 2009
|
Enso is a symbolic shape in Japanese Calligraphy. It is simply a circle, however, every circle reflects the uniqueness of the creator. In Zen Buddhism, it is said that Enso exposes the absolute truth and symbolizes enlightenment and the universe. The painting of an Enso is an expression of the moment and reveals the spirit of the artist. The strength of the line, its splashes, rugged bumps and seamless flow are all filled with subtle, yet complex, nuances. As no two creators are alike, the same lines resonate differently to its viewers.
This exhibition presents the work of Calligraphy artist Noriko Maeda, and highlights the versatility, universality and depth of the circle through both contemporary and traditional approaches to Japanese Calligraphy.
A range of work including large-scale scrolls, lampshade designs and installations will be exhibited.
In addition, twenty-two of Ms. Maeda's personal friends from diverse professional backgrounds, including Arriz Hassam (3rd Uncle Design Inc.), Guy and Michael Rubino (Rain Restaurant) and Suzu Chiba (Olympic Swimmer) will display their interpretations of the Enso as part of the exhibition.
About the Artist
Noriko Maeda is a Japanese calligraphy artist whose work has been exhibited across Japan and Canada. She has collaborated on designs for companies including Paramount Pictures, Fujitsu and CSI Inc., Sekisui Haimu Inc., Tokyu Dentsu Inc., Mitsui Fudosan (Mitsui Real Estate). She established Kuran no Kai in 1982 to further the study and teaching of Japanese calligraphy and is currently the organizer of Shodo Canada.
For more information about Noriko Maeda, please visit: www.norikomaeda.com
In celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Canada and Japan.
Return to top |
|
|
|
|
