JAPAN FOUNDATION WORLDWIDE

 The Japan Foundation, Beijing (JFB) hosted “Project to Support and Exchange with Children in Quake-Devastated Sichuan Province” on May 22, 2009. This project was planned by the JFB and Japanese companies for the first anniversary of the earthquake. Ten Japanese students who have been learning Chinese sign language visited a school for children with hearing disabilities and an elementary school in quake-devastated Sichuan province to introduce Japanese culture and exchange with school children. In addition, Japanese students donated stationary to these schools. The stationary was provided by Japanese companies that supported this project to encourage and show our goodwill to suffering children in the province.

The target schools were located in Deyang City, a two-hour drive from Chengdu City.

In the morning, the member of the project visited Zhongjiang County Special Education School where they were welcomed by about 30 students with hearing disabilities and the staff of the school and the local government. Our visit received coverage by a local TV station. Following a ceremony to donate stationary, Japanese students gave a performance of sign language. During the performance, students of the school showed sign language along with Japanese students who were singing songs. This touching moment made Japanese students realize that heart-to-heart communication can overcome the language barrier.

In the afternoon, the project visited Huangxu Central Elementary School. Because the schoolhouse was damaged by the earthquake, students were taking lessons in temporary classrooms. Such a classroom was too small for Japanese students to perform So-ran Bushi dance, so they decided on the spot to perform the dance outside. When they danced So-ran Bushi in total synch, about 500 school children surrounded them gave applause.

Japanese students and people from supporter companies who accompanied the tour commented that they were encouraged and energized, conversely, by children at these schools who were full of vigor and happily smiling under adverse circumstances. Teachers of both schools requested us to visit their students again because it was a rare opportunity for the students to encounter with foreign culture. We hope this project was memorable for children who had to withstand a period of hardship for some time.

Dr. Kazuo Kawasaki (in the back right) answers questions form audience with Artificial Heart design. Photo by Ichiro Kanaya.

The Japan Foundation, New York hosted a lecture by Dr. Kazuo Kawasaki entitled "Peace-Keeping Design - From Wheelchair to Vaccine Injection," at the SONY Club in midtown Manhattan.

Dr. Kawasaki, Professor at Osaka University, is an internationally　renowned industrial designer. A number of his products, such as his wheelchair, scissors and pencil sharpener have been selected for MoMA’s (Museum of Modern Art, New York) permanent collection. He also designed "Kazuo Kawasaki," the high-profile eyeglasses worn by Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin and on Monday, he spoke about his creation of artificial hearts.

A physically challenged person, Dr. Kawasaki’s sense of design is equalled by a deep empathy for the welfare of humans. Dr. Kawasaki spoke about Inochi (Life), Kimochi (Feeling) and Katachi (Form), which form the core foundational philosophy of his work.

Co-organized with the International Designer Network Foundation (IDNF), the evening lecture drew a capacity audience of designers, scientists, artists and corporate executives in New York.

He introduced the audience to his artificial heart, and his research at Tokyo and Osaka Universities (see photo) of its feasibility and implementation. His theory is based on the topology of three dimensional objects, giving no distinction between inside or outside. This drew particular interest from the audience, leading to a lively, intellectual exchange of views.

After the lecture, guests offered questions and compliments to Dr. Kawasaki, deep into the Manhattan twilight.

In addition to New York, Dr. Kawasaki held successful tours in Chicago and Washington, DC.

The Japan Foundation, Moscow (JFM) * was established in July 2008, and its library was opened to the public on January 27, 2009. Since then, the JFM has been vigorously conducting activities and gradually gaining popularity among lovers of Japanese culture in Moscow. Here are some of our recent activities:   

From February 27 to March 20, the JFM hosted an exhibition entitled “Japan Book Design Exhibition” to show the awarded books of the 42nd Japan Book Design Concours. In relation to this exhibition, the JFM invited Prof. Hiroshi Kashiwagi, a historian of design at Musashino Art University, to give a lecture on “The Charm of Japanese Book Design.” The seminar room was filled to capacity with the audience of over 120 people, and some of them had to stand. Prof. Kashiwagi gave another lecture entitled “Characteristics of Japanese Culture: The Beauty of the Divided Spaces and Mended Things” as part of “What is Japan” lecture series.
From March 17 through 30, an exhibition “Deadly Ashes" by Mr. Eikoh Hosoe, a photographer, was held at the exhibition hall of Moscow State University of Arts and Industry. In connection with the exhibition, the JFM organized a lecture by Mr. Hosoe and a talk session between Mr. Hosoe and Mr. Shunichi Kida, an artist who prints photographs on washi (Japanese paper), on its premse.
From February through March, four lectures on Japanese literature were given by Ms. Sokolova-Delyusina who is a winner of the Japan Foundation Special Prize in 1993 and famous as a translator of “The Tale of Genji.” In March, a series of lectures “What is Japan” was held every Wednesday.
The JFM has been organizing the following regular courses: Japanese Language, Ikebana (Sogetsu and Ikenobo), and Origami. In addition, the courses of Shogi (Japanese chess) will start in May and calligraphy in June.
A wide variety of events are scheduled in the coming months. One of the most aspired events is the first-ever Bunraku performance in Russia scheduled from June 30 through July 8. It will definitely draw enthusiastic response from people in this country.

* The Japan Foundation, Moscow is carrying on its activities as The Japanese Culture Department “Japan Foundation” of the All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature.