Report for September Activities

• Sep 1, 2022 ~ Sep 30, 2022

Report for September 2022

Arts and Culture activities at JFYG culture center

 

Highlights of September cultural events in JFYG

Aikido Demonstration and Workshop

10 September (Sat), 2 pm – 4 pm

Growing interest in Japan’s Budo culture these years has led the Japan Foundation, Yangon to organize another Budo event in September. This time, Aikido, about which was introduced in the Do Talk series before, was presented to the audience in the form of demonstration and the workshop. Aikido is one of the well-known Budo in Myanmar and there are a dozen of Aikido dojo-s in Yangon with many Aikido practitioners varying from young to old age.

Mr. Khin Maung Aye who is an Aikido 4^th Dan achiever and a sensei teaching Aikido in Oakkalar Aikido Dojo as the lead instructor and fellow Aikido practitioners of Aikido 2^nd Dan achiever, Shodan achiever and various kyu rank members as the supporting demonstrators participated in the event. Before the demonstration starts, sensei introduced and explained the meaning of O Sensei’s underlying Aikido concepts such as “Matsakasu Agatsu”, “Shinmu fusatsu “.The demonstration covers all the entire training process since beginner level and various Waza-s performed by different ranks. In the workshop session, the demonstrators reached out to the audience and let the participants try the basic Aikido hand techniques and techniques to be used in real time situations on the street.

34 people participated in the event. The event has met the audience’s expectation and the participants were thrilled to have learnt about the Aikido down to the very details.

 

Bonsai and Japanese Gardens

24 September (Sat)

 

(a)Bonsai Workshop

10 am – 12 pm

One of the cultural hobbies that Myanmar audience can connect with Japan is Bonsai culture. Japan Bonsai grasped the interest of people in Myanmar since late 80s from the movies and books and became a life-long hobby for Myanmar people to make Bonsai in their gardens. Last year, as to connect Japan and Myanmar Bonsai artists, the Japan Foundation, Yangon organized the online talk and exchange session introducing Japan and Myanmar bonsai, their different ways of practice and different markets. The talk was a successful exchange and it has showed the path and way of authentic Japanese bonsai to Myanmar audience. However, it was limited for those who want to experience Bonsai in real, physical workshop.

Hence, this year, in collaboration with Hobby Channel Myanmar Bonsai team, the Japan Foundation, Yangon organized the introductory Bonsai workshop for Bonsai hobbyists and beginners on how to grow Bonsai efficiently by making the real time demonstration. The workshop was limited to 20 participants due to Covid-19 prevention.

 

(b)Japanese Gardens & Bonsai Exhibition

10 am – 4 pm

The Japan Foundation, Yangon Arts and Culture team created various models of Karesansui- Japanese dry gardens and Zen landscape gardens and curated the Japanese gardens to fuse with Japan Bonsai into an exhibition. The exhibition was held from 9:30 am in the morning to 4 pm in the evening for one day in the gallery space and open to the public. Japan Garden and Bonsai exhibition intend to introduce the Japanese aesthetics of wabi-sabi and simplicity to Myanmar audience. More than 100 people came and enjoyed the exhibition.

20 Bonsai plants of various species such as  Nyaung-phyu (FIcus Rumphil), and different shapes of the same species such as Premna Microphylla were exhibited. A Japanese garden with yellow and white sand was put for the audience to try-out all the designs of Karesensui dry gardens. We displayed catalogue of Karesansui designs for the audience to try on and many children enjoyed drawing the waves, streams and oceans in the sand.

 

(c)“Introduction to Japanese Gardens” talk event

2 pm – 4 pm

Along with the exhibition, in the parallel, “Introduction to Japanese Garden” talk event was held in the hall. Ms. Michiko Riko Nose, the author of the book “The Modern Japanese Garden” talked and introduced the historical background of Japanese gardens, elements of Japanese Gardens and types of Gardens varying from age to age. There were various Garden photos in each season hung on the hall to facilitate the speaker’s presentation. The talk was vibrant introducing the Japanese philosophy behind the garden designs with occasional comparison to Myanmar garden culture. 25 people attended the talk and enjoyed the discussion.