Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT
020 7465 6500; info@jpembassy.org.uk
www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp

6 November - 1 December 2006
Monday - Friday, 9.30 am - 5.30pm
Admission free

On 6 November, the Embassy of Japan opened an exhibition of exquisite Japanese paper dolls from Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan. All the works are handcrafted from traditional Japanese paper and draw inspiration from the history and traditions of the region.

Washi is the collective term for all Japanese hand-moulded paper and has developed through the ages into a distinct Japanese art form. Introduced to Japan from the Asian continent, probably during the first half of the first millennium CE, it has multiple uses and is prized for its varying textures, colours and designs.

Dolls clothed in paper have a long history in Japan. More than simply children¡Çs playthings, Japanese dolls in their various guises are important examples of Japanese decorative art. They trace their origins back to prehistoric times and are thought to have had religious or magical significance. Early medieval dolls were considered to have the power to protect their keepers. The techniques used in making the dolls seen in this exhibition are descended from the first tachi-bina, or ¡Æstanding hina dolls¡Ç used in the popular Hina Matsuri.

This event has been co-organised by the Embassy of Japan and the Cultural Exchange through Paper Craft Committee (CEPaC) and is supported by the Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition ¡Ç70, the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and the Nomura Cultural Foundation. It is being held as part of Asian Art of London 2006.

In addition, the Japan Foundation London Office will host two Paper Craft Workshops introducing the skill of making dolls from Washi on Wednesday, 8 November 2006 at 2:00pm and 6:15pm. They will be presented by paper doll master Emiko Tanno. Please contact the Japan Foundation by email at event@jpf.org.uk or by fax on 020 7323 4888 to reserve a place.

A Speech by Counsellor Mizutori at the Opening Reception

Tonight we are very delighted to welcome this very active and large crowd to the opening of this exhibition, and I believe it is a demonstration of the interest that people have in Mrs Tanno¡Çs work.

Here at the Embassy we try to showcase many different features of our culture; sometimes we put on very traditional events, sometimes very modern ones, sometimes ones by students and others by professionals. I believe tonight¡Çs event has two very important features. One is that, this exhibition is not only about very exquisite dolls made of Japanese washi but that through the dolls you can actually see how the Japanese people lived in those times of Edo. Another important feature is that Mrs Tanno¡Çs activity is very much rooted in her community, in Iwate. I know that she has many pupils who have flown with her today from Japan, amongst them there are not only Japanese pupils, but pupils from other countries. I believe that this very much grassroots feature is another important aspect of her activities.

Thank you very much.

Counsellor Mizutori speaking at the opening reception

Hina dolls