Myths to Manga: Japan-themed exhibition celebrates opening of London’s newly branded museum

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: (Self-Study) Lifestyle/Entertainment

Switch to Watch View >

Storyline

Hide Storyline

A family-friendly museum in London presents an exhibition to introduce all things Japanese, from Hokusai’s nineteenth-century woodblock print to a kimono ensemble for a dog. It aims to show how stories passed from one generation to another have shaped art, design, and technology in Japan.

Many have come across the name “Hokusai” and his iconic woodblock print, ‘The Great Wave.’ The image can be seen on T-shirts, mugs, and tea towels, but it is not widely known that the artist, Katsushika Hokusai, was one of the first to use the term “manga.”

“Manga” is derived from two Japanese words— “man,” which means whimsical or entertaining, and “ga,” which means pictures or images in general.

In the books published by Hokusai, there is no text or dialogue—slightly different from the modern versions which have become a worldwide phenomenon. Despite having internationally recognized characters scattered across the floor, the exhibition goes beyond the world of manga and anime.

“A highlight of Japan: Myths to Manga is the incredible crossover between art, design, and technology and how playfulness and creativity are infused within Japanese culture and part of their stories and how the stories and the landscape of Japan go on to have inspired some of the most much-loved anime, manga, and incredible designs,” explains curator, Katy Canales.

Canales herself has fond memories of playing with Sylvanian Families (1985-1995) which reflect coexistence with nature—the very principle of Japan’s indigenous faith, Shinto. The connection between folklore and its influence on Japanese culture is seen through the 150 objects and artwork on display.

“What we hoped to do was to bring something that children and their families would really enjoy so that it would be something for everyone to take part in,” Canales says.

“For the parents to be able to see items from their childhood and to be able to pass that on and to really engage with their children, to be able to talk, create a discussion and hopefully inspire them to be creative as well.”

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Script

Hide Script

[“Japan: Myths to Manga” exhibition at Young V&A]

[Katsushika Hokusai’s “Great Wave” (1831)]

[Speech bubbles on the wall, monitor displaying e-manga, and comic book on a table]

[“Pretty Solider Sailor Moon” (1992-1997)]

[Tamagochi, a keychain-sized virtual pet simulation game]

Katy Canales (interview): “Japan, Myths to Manga is the first exhibition at Young V&A. It’s an exploration of the landscapes and the stories that have inspired countless creativity across art, design and technology. And here it’s packed with stories with hands on activities and incredible objects from Hokusai’s Great Wave to a Hello Kitty rice cooker.”

[Anime coat from Comme des Garcons Spring / Summer 2018 collection]

[Outfit designed by Coco Pink Princess (2023)]

[Kimono outfit designed for a dog]

Katy Canales (interview): “A highlight of Japan, Myths to Manga is the incredible crossover between art, design and technology and how playfulness and creativity is infused within Japanese culture and part of their stories and how the stories and the landscape of Japan go on to have inspired some of the most much loved art, anime, manga and incredible designs like Hello Kitty and Tamagotchis. And we’re delighted to host a whole whole range of objects and items in this exhibition.”

[Urashimataro plush (2013) and Urashima, illustrated by Kobyashi Eitaku (ca.1900)]

[Namazu-e woodblock print]

[The exhibition]

[Fisherman’s festival robe (1900-1930)]

[“Double Spiral” made with car parts and paper (2020)]

[“Double Spiral”]

Katy Canales (interview): “What we hoped to do for Japan, Myths to Manga, was to bring something that children and their families would really enjoy so that there would be something for everyone to take part in, whether it’s a hands on activities, whether you’re making manga or whether making origami, but also for the parents to be able to see items from their childhood and to be able to pass that on and to really engage with their children, to be able to talk, create a discussion and hopefully inspire them to be creative as well.”

[Catherine Flutsch and her daughter Charlotte playing with origami]

[A mother lifting her baby who’s holding an origami space ship]

[Origami cranes with message that reads “peace to the world” in Japanese]

[Origami cranes]

This script was provided by The Associated Press.

The related lesson for this video will be published next Tuesday.