Japan

Welcome the Newest Member of the Morikami Family

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If you haven’t heard the news yet, we have a new Curator of Education! Shigeko Honda comes to us from the University of West Florida where she served as the Director of the Japan Center and the Japan House. We sat down with Shigeko-san for a quick Q&A so you can get to know her a little better. Here’s what she had to say: Q: What did you do as the Director of the Japan Center and Japan House at the University of West Florida? A: I supervised the Japanese …

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Celebrating our Elders

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You may already know that Japanese culture promotes a deep respect for the elderly, but did you know there is a national holiday to celebrate the aged in Japan? It’s called Keiro No Hi, and it is celebrated every third Monday of September, which is September 16th this year. Keiro No Hi dates back to 1947 when the first “Old Folks Day” or Toshiyori No Hi was celebrated in  Hyōgo Prefecture. As its popularity spread throughout the country the Japanese government decided to make the celebration an official national holiday …

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Introducing Vlogs With Veljko!

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If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go behind the scenes at Morikami, our Curator of Collections, Veljko Dujin, is here to tell you. In our new series Vlogs With Veljko, you’ll get the inside scoop on all things collections (the 7,000+ pieces of artwork that belong to and are stored in the museum.) From our new acquisitions to Veljko’s favorite pieces, this new video series aims to give you insider intel on what it’s like to take a walk through the collections vault. This month we’re kicking off …

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Collecting Japan: Q&A with Veljko Dujin, Curator of Collections at Morikami

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Morikami’s Curator of Collections, Veljko Dujin, recently traveled to Japan in search of interesting artwork, little-known details of the life of Japan’s most famous nun, and the regionally favored cookie at every stop along the way. From May 1 through 19, Veljko hit Kyoto, Tokyo, Okayama, Kurashiki, Osaka, Nishinomiya, Nagoya, and Seto. Here’s what we learned about his whirlwind journey: What was the primary purpose of your trip? I set out to research Otagaki Rengetsu, a painter, calligrapher and ceramicist, and arguably the most famous nun in Japanese history. She …

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Morikami Hems In Tokyo Fashion Exhibit This Fall

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Harajuku, an area between Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, has risen to the highest ranks of Japanese fashion. In the late 50s and early 60s the neighborhood was transformed from U.S. soldiers’ housing into a well-spring of youth culture (similar to the likes of Haight Ashbury in 1960’s San Francisco) that solidified into what many call the Harajuku-zoku, or the Harajuku tribe. The neighborhood was overtaken by photographers, models, artists, fashion designers and local youth, and has become the ultimate youth stomping ground. Some of the most visible and popular …

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