Exhibit at the Idaho Falls Public Library
Content
Byobu
Decorative folding screens usually made from paper or silk that first appeared in Japan during the Naga period (710-794). The art on byobu have a wide range of themes and motifs including gold-leaf coatings, elegant floral patterns, and sprawling castle towns.
Certificate of Appreciation
Given to former mayor Thomas V Campbell as thanks for past contributions in 2001 for the twentieth anniversary of the Idaho Falls-Tokai Sister City alliance.
Chigiri-e
Painting-like pictures made by tearing handmade washi paper or tissue paper and arranged into images, a practice that dates back to the Heian period (794-1192).
Fans
Sensu Fans
Sensu or ōgi fans are folding fans often used in festivals, ceremonies, and performances. They have been used by Japanese nobility since the Heian period (794-1192).
Uchiwa Fans
Also known as fixed fans, these paddle-shaped handheld fans are made of bamboo and printed paper. They are often used in festivals and in Buddhist ceremonies.
Friendship Gifts
Idaho Falls and Tokai have been Sister Cities since 1981. Gifts are often exchanged as tokens of friendship.
Geisha Dolls
Ceramic dolls dressed in traditional kimonos. Geishas are female Japanese entertainers who are skilled in the art of singing, dancing, playing instruments, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and conversation.
Hagoita
Wooden paddles used in a Japanese game, hanetsuki, similar to badminton. Decorated with images of women in kimonos and kabuki actors. They were introduced to Japan from China during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) and are often used for decoration.
Hakata Dolls
Traditional Japanese clay dolls (bisque) which were originally created in Hakata – now Fukuoka – located on Kyushu Island in Southern Japan.
Haori
Outer coat that is worn over a kosode, the predecessor to the modern kimono.
Hina Dolls
Used in Hinamatsuri dolls’ festival as protection for young girls from misfortunes. These doll sets can have from one to seven tiers, with the emperor and empress on the top tier and other courtesans on the lower tiers as pictured in Children’s Days in Japan (Tourist Library #12, 1936). Hinamatsuri has been celebrated on March 3rd since the Heian period (794-1192).
Hitachi Dolls
Hand-crafted from bamboo, these dolls are traditionally based on characters in Noh and Kabuki dramas.
Keno Suit
Japanese fencing uniform including a navy traditional jacket (keigoki), long divided skirt (hakama), chest protector (dō), waist protector (tare), mask (men), and padded gloves (kote).
Kodomo no Hi
Children’s Day is a Japanese holiday on May 5th every year celebrating children’s individuality and happiness. Families fly multi-colored koinobori, carp-shaped windsocks, that represent the different members of the family.
Kokeshi Dolls
Simple wooden dolls without arms or legs. Originally created in the Tohoku region during the Edo period (1603-1868) by kijishi, Japanese artisans who used lathes in their woodworking.
Maker Marks
Japanese artisans often sign their art on the lids of storage boxes, on small display plaques, or on the piece itself. Many also include a short description of the piece and can be displayed alongside the art.
Mount Fuji
One of Japan’s three holy mountains, Mount Fuji is located to the southwest of Tokyo. Since the 17th century, it has often been the subject of Japanese art, literature, and poetry.
Oshibana
The Japanese art of making pictures from real pressed flowers and plants that dates back to the 16th century.
Porcelain and Pottery
Japan has a long tradition of ceramic production dating back to the Jōmon period (10,500-300 BCE). Japanese porcelain production began in the early 17th century and was highly sought after by the European upper classes.
Sakura Blossoms
Japanese cherry blossoms, or sakura, is the unofficial national flower of Japan. Blooming for only a few days in spring and is celebrated with viewing parties under the blossoming trees.
Shichi-Go-San
Annual Japanese rite of passage for three-year-olds, five-year-old boys, and seven-year-old girls on November 15. Kimonos with a hifu, padded vest, and accessories are traditionally worn for girls.
Shodo
The artform of writing Japanese hiragana using a brush and charcoal ink on paper, wood, and fabric. Children in Japan learn the art of shodō in elementary school and it is a popular hobby for adults.
Tatami Gusoku
Child size traditional samurai armor (tatami gusoku) set including helmet ornament (wakidate), helmet (kabuto), face mask (menpo), armored sleeves (kote), shoulder guards (sode), chest armor (dō), thigh guards (haidate), shin guards (suneate), and black hair covered shoes.
Temari
A folk-art craft that was brought to Japan from China in the 7th century. They were historically made out of the remnants of old kimonos but are now made from intricate embroidery. They are given as gifts to friends wishing them a happy life.
Tetsubin
Japanese cast-iron teapot decorated with relief designs. Traditionally heated over charcoal with a special brazier called a binkake or an irori hearth.
Urushi
Japanese lacquer is created by creating a varnish from the sap from the lacquer tree, which is poisonous to the touch. Japanese artisans perfected the art of lacquerware during the Heian period (794-1185) and the skill was passed down from artist to apprentice. Japanese lacquer art was one of the most popular items exported to Europe during the 19th century following the reopening of foreign trade with Japan in 1858.
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