Visiting Exhibition: Japon Tradition/ Innovation

In addition to exploring Japanese cuisine this summer, the family checked out the Japon: Tradition/Innovation exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.The exhibition explores many aspects of Japan centered on five themes: travel, automation, social status, consumer culture and entertainment. There were a lot of modern-day displays of technology such as new fabrics, cars, and consumer products such as the first Sony Walkman. Robots were also featured from the earliest creations to current ones. Even ASIMO paid a visit. On this occasion we got to meet Paro, the robotic baby seal. Also featured in the automation section was mechanical dolls called Karakuri Ningyo. My husband was especially impressed with the one that can serve tea .

 I loved seeing the scrolls from the Edo period (1603-1867); these were the origins of manga, after all. The display of kimonos worn by the different classes was also fascinating. I couldn’t help but think about the manga series Ooku that often refers to garment styles. It was also fun to see the today images of cosplay from the streets of Tokyo. I also learned about furoshiki, the art of wrapping cloth, which I have seen used in many a manga, most recently Stepping on Roses.

 The entertainment section of the exhibit was a manga lovers’ dream. There was a wall of manga arranged according to age appropriateness. I admit I felt a tiny bit guilty that I owned or have read pretty much everything displayed, but still it was fun to see.  Another item of note was a Pokémon character collection, which my children were particularly interested in. I can’t even begin to explain their obsession with it. There was a Hello Kitty display, with posters featuring among others, Inuyasha. The anime section included actual anime cells from series such as Gundam and Sailormoon, and a sports anime whose title has slipped my mind...Eyeshield perhaps?

I wish I could have stayed in the exhibit a little longer to really take things in but as always, children have short attention spans. Hopefully I can pay another visit before it wraps up in October. Photographs were not allowed inside due to the many light sensitive artifacts such as scrolls and silks, though we were permitted to take pictures of renowned Japanese graffiti artist Nobumasa Takahashi, who was in the process of creating a huge graffiti mural on the wall outside the exhibit. He was just beginning his work when we saw him; it was neat to watch. He made it look effortless.

Japon: Tradition and Innovation presented by Subaru Canada continues until October 10 at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau Quebec.  Still the come as part of this event is the is the  Japanese Film Festival August 19-20 and Japan Day Sept. 25