NIIGATA (Kyodo) Art lovers are flocking to an exhibition of colorful picture books from Iran.
In the books, Farsi is written horizontally from right to left, differing from most Japanese text. Hearing the books read in the original language is said to be music to the ears.
At an exhibition in May, children expressed strong interest in the books, which show such unfamiliar daily items.
"The ring of the language was comfortable and even ravishing," one visitor said.
Housewife Miyuki Inoue, 31, who invited the exhibition to the city of Niigata, is a mother of two preschoolers. She had been concerned that TV coverage of war, revolution and violent protest in Iran might make some Japanese uneasy.
But Inoue was pleasantly surprised by the exhibition. "I think people have felt the country is a bit closer to them through these picture books."
Iran is known as the country of Hafez Shirazi, the noted 14th-century poet who influenced German poet and dramatist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
The exhibition, which has been moving around Japan, is planned and managed by Salam Salam, a group introducing Iranian picture books and illustrators.
The group first held an exhibition at a small gallery in Tokyo. At the invitation of picture book enthusiasts, it has been held at festivals and coffee shops in Osaka, Nagano and Tochigi prefectures.
Picture books telling stories about cockroaches, children and other small creatures are especially popular. A two-week exhibit in Tokyo last year attracted about 2,500 visitors.
Iranian picture books are popular globally and often win international contests.
