切り絵ワークショップ開催時間変更 Paper cut out workshop schedule changed.

昨日21日（火）に始まったエキシビションですが、初日のレセプションパーティーもたくさんの方にお集まりいただき、大盛況のうちに幕を閉じました。平日にも関わらずいらっしゃって下さった皆様、ありがとうございました！

さて、本日午後に開催される切り絵ワークショップですが、アーティスト本人の体調不良により、急遽予定を変更し、14時〜15時までの1時間のみの開催とさせていただきます。いらっしゃる予定だった皆様には、深くお詫び申し上げます。

なお展示は明日23日（木）まで継続されますので、よろしければ引き続きお楽しみ下さい。

Yesterday's reception party was fully succeeded and  would like to thank you all for coming all the way to Michi Retreat. When the live painting started, a sudden rain came and really dynamic and dramatic story was born. 

Well, today it was scheduled Kirie Kanon's paper cutout workshop this afternoon but due to her physical deconditioning, it's open only 1hour, 2PM-3PM. We all apologize for this and would like appreciate for much consideration. You cannot try it but still enjoy it until the exhibition ends on tomorrow 23rd Feb. 

Tomorrow is the awaited Exhibition！The time table is announced！

Finally the awaited opening of ”The Art of Calligraphy - Kansho Miyashita & Kirie Kanon Exhibition” is coming up tomorrow. At this point, the local set up team is finishing up their work at a furious pace. There has been last minute changes made 3 days ago and also unexpected this and that, but overall we at the location are putting all the spirit we can into it. Right now we’re filled with excitements, expectations and our temperature is rising.

Below is the timetable for the coming Reception party tomorrow, 21st Feb (Tue).

14:00 Doors open
14:30-15:30 Performance start, Shodou & Suibokuga (Ink painting) demonstration by Mr. Kansho Miyashita
16:00-16:30 Ikebana (Flower arrangement demonstration by Mr. Kansho Miyashita
17:00-18:00 Furoshiki (Wrapping things with Japanese style cloths) & Origami (Folding paper) demonstration and then
Origami workshop by Mr. Kansho Miyashita’s students.
14:00-19:00 Sound Installation

*The time table is due to change, in case of unavoidable circumstances.

The anticipated weather turned out sunny today in Ubud, and the stars were shining so beautifully.Hopefully, the weather will be on our side for the coming 3 days too… but who knows, after all we can’t go against the flow of nature. Even if it rains we can still enjoy that too. To accept nature as it is and to enjoy the rainy atmosphere is how we human beings are really supposed to be.
Actually, I am very pleased to hear that there are increasing numbers of people announcing to come to our exhibition at this last minute.
If successful, there will surely be a next time and a next next time to express the wonders of the Japanese arts and culture in Bali. We wish for the next opportunity to realize, and we will do our best until the very end to make that happen.
Please excuse me for my formality, but we sincerely look forward to seeing you here at the “Michi Retreat”

Members of The Executive Committee

Free meditation space

During the Exhibition, on the day of the 22^nd (Wed) and 23^rd (Thu) 2 hours between 9:00-11:00 the Yoga studio where the Exhibition is held will be open to public, as a free meditation space. The live performances and workshops have been designed as a new way to get in touch with art “to play with the art works” as Mr. Miyashita expresses it. Also by using the Yoga studio as its primary function, it enables visitors to enjoy meditation, free style yoga or some easy fitness exercises with the privilege of the wonderful nature of the valleys in the background, and surrounded by the beautiful art works made from the performances the day before, providing an ideal space for concentrating on our body and soul. Please enjoy your own unique meditation time surrounded by Calligraphy and Ikebana (flower arrangement) arts created during the performances given the previous day. You may just relax, by breathing freely, feeling the breeze flowing from the valleys, listening to the sound of nature. The ultimate goal of meditation as of Buddhist and Hindu teachings is said to be the Samsara (the afterlife and transmigration of souls). I hope you can have a deep, relaxed time in this special meditation space, which is consciously focused to sublimate Japanese culture in Bali.

The Sound Installation at the Exhibition

My name is Kazuya Setagawa. The Exhibition’s highlights are, Mr. Miyashita’s live performances, Origami (Paper folding) and Furoshiki (Wrapping things with Japanese style cloths ) workshop by Mr .Miyashita’s students and Kirie (Paper Cutout) workshop by Ms. Kanon which will be held at the Yoga studio､ and I have been given the chance to take care of the acoustics there, using the expression of Sound Installation. I usually work as a DJ and after meeting Professor Kung of “Michi Retreat” and Mr. Miyashita, was given the honor to work with them, I am so grateful for them for giving me this wonderful opportunity. The technique I will be using will be different from my ordinary techniques and I am eager to help create the whole atmosphere with everybody there, using my music. The art works are now displayed in this yoga studio surrounded by the wonderful atmosphere, with the valleys of Michi Retreat in the back. The floor here is carefully taken care of by Eucalyptus essential oils, and with the power of the essences it seems to have the effect of cleansing us from the bottom of our feet. As a matter of fact, this studio was flooded 2 weeks before the event due to the continuing heavy rain. The floor was damaged and had to be replaced by new floor boards at the last minute. In spite of our worries the floor is now brand new and ready as ever. In this special place I will be making my 3 days, a total of 10 hours Sound Installation performance. Actually, it is my first challenge playing music with this kind of concept, and my current feelings are a mixture of anticipation and of tenseness. I hope I can contribute by creating an atmosphere where the guests feel comfortable while appreciating the wonderful Japanese culture. My resonant sounds will be melting into the exhibition space along with the sound of the waterfalls in the valley, the whisper of the winds, the singing of the birds, and I hope you enjoy it. On the last day I will be doing a 6 hours set performance using my usual Dance Floor DJ methods. Here at the yoga studio you will be asked to remove your shoes when entering. Since it is said that “bare feet” is most suitable for dancing for a long time, I will help to provide a dance floor where you can enjoy the firm feeling of the floor under your feet. In the morning of the 2^nd day and the 3^rd day I will be playing sounds fit to enjoy some meditation while surrounded by work of arts that represent the Japanese culture. We look forward to having you here.

Translation : JUN

Origami, Furoshiki and Kirie Workshop

During the 21^st Feb~23^rd Feb Exhibition, an Origami (Paper folding) & Furoshiki (Wrapping things with Japanese style cloth ) workshop and a Kirie (Paper Cutout) workshop will be held at the Yoga studio. 

The Origami & Furoshiki workshop will be held on the 21^st , to mark the closing of our Reception Party. It will be performed by the students of Mr. Kansho Miyashita. They have been contributing in many ways to prepare for this day. You can actually experience to hand make cute Origami works of your own, using beautifully colored paper! You can also get close to one of the amazing Japanese cloth culture by watching the Furoshiki wrapping performance. Their Calligraphy Art works are a must see attraction too.  

In the afternoon of the 22^nd, the Kirie (Paper Cutout) workshop by Ms. Kirie Kanon will be taking place.

Seeing the beautiful bright colors standing out from a black background, you must wonder “How on earth is this made?” It will be a wonderful chance to get close and experience a new expression of pictorial art, the “Kirie”.

You are most welcome to experience the wonder of paper, and create a precious art piece of your own.

Translation : JUN

Village of the Arts"Michi Retreat" (EN)

This event will be held in “Michi Retreat”. Although the scale of the place is pretty much as large as a small village, Mr. David Kung the Director of here calls the place a “Minshuku (Guest house)”. Mr. Kung continues to devote himself to his writing carrier here. His best works include the “Series: Bunmei No Jyouken(Conditions for Civilization)” , “Dare Mo Kakanakatta America(The Never written America)”. In 1995 he happened to visit Ubud in Bali after leaving Thailand. He was without any knowledge about Bali at that time but after his encounter with a local craftsman, his interest allegedly rocketed. During that time he used to roam around the globe without setting up a home anywhere. But finally in 1997 he decided to settle in Ubud Bali to fulfill his dream to “set up a house with plenty of book shelves and hand build a crafts center”. Later on, when one of his friends pointed out “You shouldn’t be keeping this magnificent view just for yourself”, he decided to establish a Minshuku on this spacious premises. He applied his extensive experience of going from one hotel to another all around the globe, and wonderfully expressed his main concept to establish “a meeting ground for artists”. Mr. Kung is an extremely academic person and fondly referred to as “Professor Kung”. His Cosmo World “Michi Retreat” still continues to evolve. “Life is a funny thing though…” he says. Now beyond the age of 80, all the statements brought out from this “Professor” who has seen the world through many filters, definitely has a profound implication.

Transtaltion: JUN

Kirie Kanon –The charm of Paper Cutout Art and its brilliant touch of colours- (EN)

My name is Kanon and I’m a Paper Cutout Artist. 

My works are usually based in Fukuoka, mainly holding exhibitions at department stores, creating Paper Cutout Arts to be displayed at reception areas of corporate enterprises and I also provide designs for New Year’s greeting cards. 

Right now I am extremely thrilled to have the opportunity to go to Bali and display my works there. 

It was 3 years ago in 2009 that I myself first became familiar with Paper Cutout Arts. Combining layers of colored drawing paper with Japanese paper and Western paper creates the amazing sense of depth, and I was completely drawn under the spell of the fascinating way Paper Cutout Arts are being made. 

Currently, the requests I receive are mostly for complete custom made pieces. Once I receive the request I normally discuss it over with my customer several times so I get the right picture and it becomes an exclusive “only one in the world” art piece. 

Paper Cutout Arts are generally expressed by single color, but the concept of my work is to combine many colors and to make a colorful expression.

I wish that the charm of expressing by paper and the brilliant touch of colors of my works will gorgeously light up the space you are witnessing.  

However, I guess not many people have ever heard of “Paper Cutout Artists” , so I hope that the people wondering “what is Paper Cutout Art ?“ see and feel my work and start to take interest in it.  

By the courtesy of Mr. Kung, Mr. Miyashita and all the brilliant staffs, I received this wonderful opportunity to exhibit my Paper Cutout works in Bali.   

I am planning to include some Paper Cutout work expressing Bali’s beautiful scenery and culture, and I’m now extremely curious about how the participants experience it. 

As one expression of pictorial art, I wish that more people become to recognize the Paper Cutout Art culture and I also hope many people visit the exhibition to experience my art work. 

Kirie Kanon

"Maiko"

Transtaltion: JUN

In hosting a Calligraphy and Paper Cutout Art Exhibition (EN)

With the help of so many warm hearts, we were given the greatest honor to share a fraction of our Japanese culture by hosting a Shodo (Calligraphy) Exhibition and a Paper Cutout Art Exhibition at “Michi Retreat” which Professor Kung established with great persistency. The location is nearby Ubud, the center of Bali’s hottest art scene.

Commonly, lessons for traditional Japanese culture have the word “Dou” (same meaning as “Michi”) in it. For instance Shodou (Calligraphy), Kadou (Flower Arrangement), Sadou (Tea Ceremony), Budou (Martial Arts) …etc are an example of the art of learning old traditions through devoting yourself into it and to come to master its way (“Michi”). To master a way means to pursue your life and your way of life through what Shodou or Kadou has to offer.   

In that sense, “Michi Retreat” is one of Professor Kung’s art work, which he established through his more than 80 years of life experience. 

Also, Mr. Miyashita, who continues to pursue his life through Shodou, Kadou, Sadou and Buddhism, he and Professor Kung has “Michi” as their common ground, so it will definitely be an inspiring moment when Mr. Miyashita’s art works are displayed at Professor Kung’s retreat. 

The beautiful Balinese scenery surrounded by terraced rice paddies, the villa that embodies all the cultural wonders of the world inspired by Professor Kung’s experience, Mr, Miyashita’s Universe condensed in a little piece of white paper….

To be able to experience the collaboration of these three miracles will surely be one of the most wonderful moments in Bali, which you will never be able to forget.

Please relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, the performances, the many art works on the day of the opening ceremony.

On this occasion we are thinking to hold an event like this annually at this location, and to continue to share the wonders of Japanese culture. 

We would like to express our deepest appreciation towards Mr. Miyashita, Professor Kung and all our wonderful local staffs who have been working hard preparing for this exciting event. 

Organizer：Keiji Oohama（ARC THREE INTERNATIONAL Co.,ltd.）

Transtaltion: JUN

Greetings from Kansho Miyashita (EN)

I was born in 1943. While I am a Temple Master in Taima Temple Soinin in Nara Prefecture, I also hold exhibitions of my Calligraphy and Suiboku-ga (ink painting) works home in Japan and overseas.

Previously I used to hold Kado (Flower Arrangement) and Sado (Tea ceremony ) classes, but now I devote a lot of my time in my Calligraphy and Suiboku-ga.

At the “Michi Retreat” event in Bali I would like to demonstrate some Ikebana art which I haven’t done in a while. Flowers in Bali seem very different from the flowers in Japan so a traditional Japanese arrangement will be challenge, so I will try to arrange something that has a different touch. I am still a little anxious about what kind of flowers I am going to be welcomed by, but at the same time I am looking forward to it very much.

In regards to Calligraphy, it is a profound and also an abstract art so it’s hard to say in one word but I will try to express it by using my brush. Please feel free to feel its dynamic energy, gentleness and softness through the written figure. So in this case ignore the meaning of the words, just enjoy it!

As for Suiboku –ga, I would like to demonstrate by painting a landscape using only the contrasting density of the black ink.

This whole event started off when we decided to ask Professor Kung to display Japanese Calligraphic works and paintings at his retreat. Since it would be a great pity if no one is going to see it, we asked the local staffs for help, and now an exhibition is about to come to fruition.

When Professor Kung mentioned ” The Japanese Furoshiki (Japanese style cloth for wrapping things) culture is indeed interesting” it triggered the idea to add more variety to the contents. Now we have Calligraphy, Ikebana, Furoshiki and Origami (Paper folding) performances, so people can experience more of the Japanese culture. Normally in Calligraphy, the paper is placed on the floor when writing, but this time we decided to set the paper upright so more people can see the actual movement. This is going to be a new challenge for me. I hope you will enjoy it!   

Kansho Miyashita (Master of Taimadera Soinin)

Website：http://www.lint.ne.jp/~s-kansyoh/

Picture：Calligraphy Demonstration in Monaco

Transtaltion: JUN

Exhibition of Kansho Miyashita and his students＋Paper Cutout Artist Kanon (EN)

“Kansho Miyashita” is not just a Temple Master of Taima Temple Soinin in Nara prefecture Japan, but also a Suiboku-ga (ink painting) artist, a Calligrapher and a Flower arrangement artist. This multi talented artist will be holding a 3days exhibition at ”Michi Retreat” in Ubud Bali.

Also Paper Cutout Artist “Kirie Kanon” will be hosting a personal exhibition there and will be expressing Japanese art from her unique sophisticated and diversified viewpoint.  

The location “Michi Retreat” is very well known as a Minshuku (guest house) owned and managed by Professor David Kung. Although he calls it a Minshuku, it is actually on an extremely large scale. The property contains all the world’s essences that Professor Kung assimilated while he travelled across the globe. His ideas are incorporated in every corner and expressed fully in this amazing retreat.

How will the Japanese culture flourish in this space during this 3days event? During the exhibition, various installations will be utilized to express the understanding of the Japanese culture also known as “wa”. There will be Live Calligraphy painting performances, Ikebana flower arranging demonstrations by Kansho Miyashita and also Origami (paper folding) & Furoshiki (Japanese style cloth for wrapping things) workshops by Kansho’s students. All of these fantastic events will be held in the beautiful scenic countryside of Ubud , with its abundant nature and distinct flow of time. 

All of the art works displayed will be available on site. We wish that after our visitors have experienced these highly original, organic and 3 dimensional art works, that they will be able to hold in their hearts and memories the “New Version” of the “Good old Japan”. 

■The Art of Calligraphy

The Art of Calligraphy can even lead the artist to an amazing extent that the he himself would never have dreamt of. The strong aspiration towards “beauty” followed by abstraction leads to a figure that no one in the world could have imagined. This presents to the viewers the mysterious swell that only uncharted waters can provide.
  

21^st February 2012     14:00〜20:00

22^nd & 23^rd February 2012    9:00〜18:00

Participants：Kansho Miyashita (Temple Master of Taima Temple Soinin/ Suiboku ga artist/ Calligrapher/ Ikebana Flower arrangement artist）and his students.

Kirie Kanon（Paper Cutout Artist）

● Reception Party

21^st February 2012  14:00〜20:00

Live performances by Kansho Miyashita（Calligraphy/ Suiboku ga/ Ikebana Flower Arrangement）

Origami & Furoshiki demonstrations by Kansho’s students.

Facebook：http://on.fb.me/ylB

Contact us：jpncltr_at_gmail.com

Transtaltion: JUN