September 2013 Archives

Dear customers and friends,


Good afternoon from Akiko Yamada of Shukado.
I am sorry that I have not sent our newsletter to you for a long time.

We Japanese have received big news recently.
Tokyo has been chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2020 Summer Games.
In Japan there is a National holiday called Sports Day in October. 
This National holiday was established memorizing Tokyo Olympic Games held in 1964.
At this day, a lot of sport meets are held all over Japan.

Not only sports, but there are a lot of amusement in autumn in Japan.
For example, food, viewing color leaves, reading books, arts and so on.
(In Japan autumn is thought as good season for reading books, enjoying arts.)
Today I will introduce you to Japanese distinctive style to enjoy autumn.
Japanese people enjoy listening to the chirping sound of bell-ringing crickets in autumn nights.
This kakejiku by Kikuchi Yosai was depicting the scene of aristocrats catching insects like bell-ringing crickets.
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A2-86-617//Kikuchi-Yosai--Mushierami-(Insect-Catching)-Hanging-scroll.?
In Heian period (about 1100 years ago) aristocrats enjoyed catching insect and competing on its voices.

Some people especially European people might think that custom weird.
According to an article, Japanese listen to crickets' voice with left brain as a kind of good music.
On the other hand, European people recognize crickets' voice with right brain as noise!
This article also says only Japanese and Polynesian listen to crickets' voice with left brain.
It is mystery.

Anyway, I will introduce you to other items depicting autumn scenes.

Toyokuni III / Kunisada　Toyokuni III, "Autumn, from Touse Shiki no Nagame"
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A1-86-059/Toyokuni-III-/-Kunisada/Toyokuni-III---Autumn--from-Touse-Shiki-no-Nagame-?

Toyokuni III / Kunisada　"Genji-e, Bondance"
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A1-87-336/Toyokuni-III-/-Kunisada/?

Toyokuni III / Kunisada　"Handsome Actors"
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A1-88-062/Toyokuni-III-/-Kunisada/Handsome-Actors-

Yoshitoshi　"The 100 Aspects of the Moon, Fox"
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A1-87-083/Yoshitoshi/The-100-Aspects-of-the-Moon--Fox

If you have any question about these items, please feel free to contact us.
Have a nice autumn season!

Sincerely yours,
Akiko Yamada