Asia Society Japan

Asia Society Japan is a leading non-profit dedicated to forging closer ties between Asia and the West in arts, culture, business and policy and to navigating our shared futures.

https://asiasociety.org/japan

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Asia Society Japan Center

japancenter@asiasociety.org

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Event Details

Nov 15-17: Earth and Fire, exploring international ceramic exchange in Northwest Kyushu

Beyond its hot springs, breathtaking landscapes, and exquisite cuisine, Kyushu has long been celebrated as Japan's gateway to Asia and the world. Its volcanic landscape is symbolic of the island's rich history as a cultural melting pot, where Chinese, Korean, and Japanese influences fused to forge a wide range of distinctive Japanese ceramic traditions.


From November 15-17, Asia Society Japan cordially invites you on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Japan's artistic heritage in Kumamoto, Arita, and Karatsu. We are privileged to be accompanied by Dr. Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, a foremost expert on Japanese ceramics, as we explore the rich history of intercultural exchange through the lens of Northwest Kyushu's renowned ceramics.


The history of Japanese ceramics has been shaped by four major waves of intercultural exchange. The first was during the Yayoi period when high-fired ceramics arrived in Northwestern Kyushu from Korea. The second, in the Heian period, saw the introduction of advanced technologies, including glazes. The third, during the Momoyama and early Edo period, coincided with Japan's reinvention under three military rulers and two Korean invasions. The fourth wave came in the early Meiji era, as Japan embraced new international markets and technologies under a new government. Dr. Rousmaniere will guide our understanding of this cultural evolution, particularly the final two phases, which are particularly apparent in the Northwest Kyushu area.


We will kick off the trip on Day 1, seeing our friend Chin Jukan XV's exhibition in Kumamoto, where he preserves his past while creating meticulously crafted stoneware which is an embodiment of this third wave.


On days 2 & 3, we will visit the legendary kilns of Arita and Karatsu, with the exclusive opportunity to witness firsthand the artistic traditions behind some of Japan's most celebrated works of art. Additionally, we will get a holistic understanding of the history of Ceramics in the region at the Japanese Ceramics Museum of Saga.


This trip is also an opportunity to experience the peak of the autumn foliage season at Takeo Onsen, as we will be staying at the esteemed Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel. Here, nature and artistic innovation seamlessly blend, as this onsen-ryokan features a teamLab exhibition within its historic pond-promenade garden.


This is a once-in-a-lifetime, can't-miss opportunity to not only dive deep into Kyushu's ceramic arts but also experience the natural and cultural wonders of Northwest Kyushu.

For more detailed information about Japanese ceramics and its history, please click here.

Trip Details

  • Dates: November 15-17
  • Accommodation: Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel
  • Included in the trip are: Museum entrance tickets, bus transportation, and all meals

Agenda

  • November 15, 2024

  • November 16, 2024

  • November 17, 2024

November 15, 2024

Main Schedule

10:30 - 10:40
Meet at Kumamoto Airport // 熊本空港集合
Meet in front of Tully’s Coffee on 1F Arrival Area

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一階到着ロビー タリーズ前にて集合
10:45 - 11:45
Travel to Kumamoto City // 熊本空港 - 熊本市内移動
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch at Aoyagi // 昼食 青柳
Chin Jukan XV will join us for a Kama-meshi lunch at Aoyagi, a restaurant specializing in Kumamoto cuisine.
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十五代沈壽官氏をお招きし、熊本料理「青柳」にて釜めし御前を頂きます。
13:30 - 15:00
Chin Jukan XV Exhibition // 薩摩焼 十五代 沈 壽官展
Tsurya Department Store // 鶴屋百貨店

Chin Jukan XV, friend of Asia Society Japan, is the 15th-generation head of the Chin family, a distinguished lineage of Korean-Japanese ceramicists based in Kagoshima. For over 400 years, the family has crafted Satsuma ware, a unique pottery style blending Korean and Japanese traditions. Originally from Korea, the Chin family was brought to Japan in the late 16th century and has since become a symbol of cultural exchange and resilience. In February, Asia Society Japan screened *Chawanya no Hanashi – 400 nen no Tabibito*, a film capturing the Chin family’s legacy, their role as a cultural bridge between Japan and Korea, and their commitment to carrying their craft into the future. We will be visiting his latest exhibit at the Tsuruya Department Store in Kumamoto.

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十五代沈壽官は、Asia Society Japanの友人であり、鹿児島に拠点を置く日韓の伝統陶芸家一族である沈家の十五代目当主です。400年以上にわたり、沈家は韓国と日本の伝統が融合した独自の焼き物である薩摩焼を作り続けてきました。16世紀に秀吉の朝鮮出兵の際に日本へ連行され、以来、文化交流と伝統継承の象徴となっています。今年2月、Asia Society Japanは沈家の歴史、日韓の架け橋としての役割、そして未来への想いを描いた映画「ちゃわんやのはなし – 四百年の旅人」を上映しました。鶴屋百貨店にて「薩摩焼 十五代 沈 壽官展」を拝観します。
15:00 - 15:30
Free Time // 自由行動
17:30 - 20:00
Dinner at Yoryutei // 夕食 楊柳亭
Yoryutei is a Ryotei in Saga founded in 1882. We will be enjoying a Kaiseki dinner with living national treasure Imaizumi Imaemon XVI of Arita, as well as Mr. Hirohisa Yamada, Chairman & CEO of Matsuo Construction Co., LTD, who is a friend of Tsutomu Horiuchi, Co-Chair of Asia Society Japan’s Arts & Culture Committee.
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楊柳亭は明治15年創業の料亭です。有田焼の人間国宝十四代今泉今右衛門氏と、アジア・ソサエティ・ジャパン アート委員会共同委員長の堀内勉氏の友人である松尾建設株式会社代表取締役会長山田裕久氏をお招きし、会席料理を頂きます。
21:00 - 21:05
Stay at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel // 宿泊 御船山楽園ホテル
Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel is a ryokan located at Takeo Hot Springs in Saga Prefecture, at the foothills of Mt. Mifuneyama. The hotel is home to the Mifuneyama Rakuen, a magnificent pond-promenade garden created in 1845 by the then-lord of Takeo, Shigeyoshi Nabeshima, near the end of the Edo period. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the "Autumn Foliage Festival," which features the illuminated autumn leaves of Mt. Mifuneyama.
In the main building’s lobby, you'll find an artwork by teamLab titled Forest and Spiral of Resonating Lamps in the Forest - One Stroke. The lamps respond to the presence of people by glowing, and the light moves from one lamp to another. Be sure to experience it as you pass by the reception desk.
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宿泊は、佐賀県武雄温泉御船山楽園ホテルです。御船山の麓に位置する御船山楽園は、50万平米(15万坪)もの広大な敷地を誇る池泉回遊式庭園で、江戸時代末期の1845年に当時の武雄領主・鍋島茂義によって作られました。御船山の紅葉をライトアップした「紅葉まつり」をぜひお楽しみください。
また、本館ロビーには、チームラボが手掛けるアート作品「森の中の、呼応するランプの森とスパイラル - ワンストローク」が展示されており、ランプは人に呼応し、輝いたり、ランプからランプへと光が伝播します。フロントを通る際には、ぜひその体験をお楽しみください。

Speakers

Nicole C. Rousmaniere Ph.D. | ニコル クーリッジ ルーマニエール博士

Nicole C. Rousmaniere Ph.D. | ニコル クーリッジ ルーマニエール博士

Exhibitors

Day 1

Chin Jukan XV // 十五代 沈壽官

Hirohisa Yamada // 山田裕久

Day 2 - Arita

Koji Ohashi // 大橋康二

Yukio Suzuta // 鈴田由紀夫

Imaizumi Imaemon XIV // 十四代 今泉今右衛門

Hisaki Shomura // 庄村久喜

Sakaida Kakiemon XV // 十五代 酒井田柿右衛門

Day 3 - Karatsu

Takashi Nakazato // 中里隆

Taki Nakazato // 中里太亀

Hanako Nakazato // 山里花子

Prairie Stuart-Wolff

Hotel Information

〒843-0022 4100 Takeocho, Takeo, Takeo-shi, Saga Prefecture

TEL:0954-23-3131

https://www.mifuneyama.co.jp/en/

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〒843-0022佐賀県武雄市武雄町大字武雄4100

TEL:0954-23-3131

https://www.mifuneyama.co.jp/

Biographies