Tomoko Hori - The Japan Times

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Tomoko Hori

For Tomoko Hori's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 9, 2011

"Enjoying Ceramic Art: Gourmet of Ceramic"

Most ceramics are created for daily use as plates and bowls, cups and other dining ware. Under the theme of "gourmet," this exhibition explores how ceramics have been designed and used to complement and emphasize the foods being served on them. This has long been one of the main influences on the progression of ceramics, even today.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 9, 2011

"Tomimoto Kenkichi: Patterns Come Into Existence from Wayside Scenes"

Nara native Kenkichi Tomimoto (1886-1963), who was inspired by his best friend, the well-known British ceramicist Bernard Leach, first made rakuyaki ware — a low-fired ceramic often used for tea ceremony utensils — in 1913. Now considered a master of ceramics, Tomimoto would explore original expressions, paying close attention to the history and tradition of patterns on ceramic. He did not, however, just imitate ancient ceramic ware, but extensively researched the craft and often made sketches of natural, inspiring motifs.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 9, 2011

"Indigo Blue in the World: Textile and Fashion"

There are not many naturally blue-colored objects on Earth, which is why minerals that could be used to make blue pigments, such as lapis lazuli, were once as highly valued as gold. Indigo — a dark, rich blue pigment extracted from the tropical plant Indigofera tinctoria — was equally rare and expensive. It could dye cotton, linen and silk fabrics, and was a pigment coveted the world over.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 2, 2011

"Kyo-yaki, in Quest for the New World of Kyoto Ware: 50 Years' History of Kiyomizu-yaki Estate"

Kyoto's inner-city areas of Kiyomizu and Gojo in Higashiyama Ward were home to Kiyomizu ware until after World War II, when rapid economic growth brought drastic changes to Japanese society. It became difficult for ceramicists to expand their work studios, and concerns were raised over the smoke pollution from kilns. To find ways to further develop their industry, artisans created Kiyomizuyaki Danchi, a large industrial/residential complex in Yamashina Ward, which still exists today.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 2, 2011

"Bologna Fiera Del Libro Per Ragazzi"

The Bologna Children's Book Fair is held every spring in Bologna, a city of ancient origins in the northern Italy. The fair also hosts a picture-book exhibition for which 2,836 artists from 58 countries submitted works this year. Seventy-six creators from 21 countries were selected for the show, including 19 from Japan. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the world of picture-book trends and is considered as one of the gateways to success in the field of children's book illustration.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Sep 2, 2011

"Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Sakai Hoitsu's Birth: Sakai Hoitsu and the Edo Rimpa School"

Born into the distinguished family of the feudal lord of the Himeji region of Hyogo Prefecture, Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) had the luxury of being able to enjoy haiku poetry and calligraphy from a young age. In his 20s, he started to immerse himself in street culture, such as kyōka (satrical poems) and ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), and at age 37, he chose to distance himself from his family when he became a priest. Around that time, Sakai also became particularly interested in Rimpa — a decorative style of painting and calligraphy established by such artists as Tawaraya Sotatsu and Ogata Korin — and he worked on developing a more sophisticated version, so creating a new style called Edo Rimpa.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 26, 2011

"Depicting The Refreshing Summer"

One of the most cherished themes of nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artists who celebrate the four seasons in their works is to incorporate seasonal Japanese beauties in their paintings.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 26, 2011

"Urushi Exhibition: Style Of New Lacquer"

Exploring new possibilities of expression in lacquerware, this show presents works by Nobuyuki Tanaka, a professor at Kanazawa College of Art, and Natsuki Kurimoto, an associate professor at Kyoto City University of Arts, as well as pieces by 27 rising artists recommended by Tanaka and Kurimoto.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 26, 2011

"Gomi Taro Exhibition: The Days Of Picture Book"

Tokyo native Taro Gomi (b. 1945) has published some 350 picture books that appeal to a wide range of readers, from babies to adults. This show offers a rare opportunity to learn the process of his picture-book making through its display of original drawings and reference materials. There is also a section where visitors can actually enjoy reading representative Gomi Taro books.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 19, 2011

"Summer De Museum"

To enhance the exciting and fun-filled atmosphere of the summer, Menard Art Museum presents some 45 works on themes such as summer scenery and summer clothing.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 19, 2011

"Sweet Memory: Even For Fairy Tale Princes"

For many people, sweet foods such as candy, cakes and snacks, are a source of comfort and happiness. In "sweet memory: Even for Fairy Tale Princes" at the Kyoto Art Center, four artists present unique works exploring such sweet tastes and memories.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 19, 2011

"Picture For Children"

Adachi Museum of Art boasts a large collection of dōga (illustrations and paintings created for children) by six creators active during the Showa Era (1926-89) — Yoshio Hayashi, Toshio Suzuki, Takeo Takei, Shiro Kawakami, Yoshisuke Kurosaki and Bunshu Iguchi.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 12, 2011

"Summer Museum For Kids and Grown-ups: Traversing the Times, Places and Attributes Of People Described in Art"

One of the most intriguing themes or motifs in art throughout the ages has been "human beings." In the collection of the Osaka City Museum of Modern Art, there are many works covering this familiar, and universal subject.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 12, 2011

"Moholy-Nagy in Motion"

This is the first retrospective in Japan of the Hungarian contemporary artist Laszlo Moholy-Nagy (1895-1946), who is known as a Constructivist artist, photographer and a professor at the Bauhaus arts and crafts school in Germany. He worked in a wide range of fields, which included painting, photography, sculpture, film, graphics and stage design, creating works that shed light on contemporary issues such as information technology, communication and the relationship between art and industrial technologies.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 12, 2011

"Summer Kid's Museum 2011 From the Permanent Collection"

The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, has been holding its "Summer Kid's Museum" series of introductory art exhibitions annually since 2001. This year, the theme is "Art is full of hide-and-seeks," and explores hidden elements in nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) and contemporary art works.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 5, 2011

"Nihonga in Kyoto: Past, Present, and Future"

The Kyoto Japanese-Style Painters' Association was established in 1941, during World War II, by Seiho Takeuchi, Keigetsu Kikuchi, Kansetsu Hashimoto and a number of other well-known nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artists. The association has since grown to include around 500 artist members.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 5, 2011

"Kazunari Hattori: Summer 2011 In Osaka"

Tokyo native, graphic designer Kazunari Hattori (b. 1964) graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1988 and then worked at Light Publicity Ltd., an advertising company, until he became a freelance designer in 2001.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Aug 5, 2011

"Ancient Civilizations of The Americas: Man, Nature and Spirit in Pre-columbian Art"

The Americas became known as the New World, after European explorers discovered the continents in the late 15th century.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jul 22, 2011

"Glittering of Imagination: The Visionary World Of Surreal And Fantasy"

The Surrealism movement, which began in Europe in the early 1920s, was an attempt by artists and writers to release and express the creative potential of humans' unconscious mind.

ko-sometsuke: Chinese Blue-and-white In Late Ming Dynasty"">

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jul 22, 2011

ko-sometsuke: Chinese Blue-and-white In Late Ming Dynasty"">"Playing with ko-sometsuke: Chinese Blue-and-white In Late Ming Dynasty"

ko-sometsuke: Chinese Blue-and-white In Late Ming Dynasty"">Sometsuke is a type of blue-and-white porcelain-ware that was produced during the early 17th century at privately owned kilns in Jingdezhen, a town in Jiangxi Province, China. Ko-sometsuke, the prefix "ko" meaning "old," is the Japanese name for sometsuke imported from China to Japan.

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