STORIES

Calendar

Achievements

Events

Briefly Noted

Credits

Archives

Kimonos and Culture

The rich symbolism of the Japanese kimono and the culture of Japan's Amami Islands will be explored through art, music, dance, and workshops throughout September. Assistant Professor Masami Toku, Art and Art History, received a $23,000 grant from the Palo Alto-based Christensen Fund to create "Cultural Diversity in Art: Voices from the Minority Culture of Amami Islands in Japan." The University Gallery, the Humanities Center Gallery, and the Janet Turner Print Gallery will collaborate for the first time ever to present three related exhibitions.

Twenty silk kimonos will be shown at the University Art Gallery, presented by guest curator Toku. "Traditional kimonos are far more than apparel to Japanese," Toku said. "Each garment that makes up the kimono, and each step in the dressing process, has meaning."

An exhibition of photographs of the people and landscapes of the Amami Islands will be presented at the Humanities Center Gallery. While the Amami Islands are known for coral reefs, sugar cane production, and folk music and dance, the kimonos produced there bring it the most attention. Japanese prints focusing on the kimono as a cultural and aesthetic element will be presented at the Janet Turner Print Gallery.

On Sept. 5, anthropologist Liza Dalby, author of the best-selling book Geisha, will speak about the art of the kimono, as well as her experience as a Western-born geisha. Other events include a kimono dressing workshop, a tea ceremony workshop, and a performance by an Amami Island music and dance troupe. All events are free and open to the public.