Curator internship held

On August 29, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum conducted a curator internship, accepting 10 candidates who were recommended by various universities with museum curator programs. The eight-day course was supervised by TFAM curators and involved lectures and on-the-job training. The course concluded on September 12, with interns submitting reports on exhibition planning.

PHOTO CAPTION: Interns study at TFAM to become curators

Education vice minister enjoys “This is Japan in Kyoto” exhibition

On September 3, Tomoko Ukishima, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, visited the Museum of Kyoto and enjoyed the exhibition, “This is Japan in Kyoto—From the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection.” Escorted by Deputy Director Toshiaki Kouyama of the Museum of Kyoto and TFAM curator Toshiyasu Kamogi, Vice Minister Ukishima delved into the essence of Japanese art while experiencing its timeless beauty and wonder through a state-of-the-art virtual reality system.

TFAM opens booth at 25th ICOM Kyoto 2019

The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum opened a booth at the 25th ICOM Kyoto 2019, which took place on September 2-4. The TFAM booth offers two virtual reality programs—the first to “see” with a votive light the Iwasa School’s Folding Screen with Design of the Scenes from The Tales of Genji that is currently featured in the Museum of Kyoto’s exbition “This is Japan in Kyoto” and the second, which is designated as an important art work, Writing Box with Design of Deer and Autumn Flowers in Maki-e Lacquer by the Hasegawa School.

Authors of children’s literature visit TFAM

On August 21, Tomoyoshi Urushibara, an author of children’s literature and education critic (advisor of the Japan Juvenile Writers Association), Rintaro Uchida, a poet and writer of children’s stories (chief director of the Japan Juvenile Writers Association), and Ippei Mogami, an author of children’s literature, visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. During their visit, the three viewed “The World of YAMAMOTO Nizo” and special TFAM collection “Photographs of the Earth” exhibitions.

PHOTO CAPTION: Messrs. Urushihara (left front), Uchida (right front) and Mogami (center, clasping hands)

TFAM holds special summer vacation concert

On August 10, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum held a special concert at its theater over the summer vacation featuring soundtrack music from Japan’s premier animated films. Naoko Inamura did the vocals, the violin by Hiroko Ishikawa, cello by Sachiho Otsuka and piano by Fusako Hasegawa.

Famed animation director Nizo Yamamoto visits TFAM

Before the opening of the exhibition “The World of YAMAMOTO Nizo” on July 13, renowned animation director Nizo Yamamoto himself and his son Takao visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum on July 12. They toured the gallery space while accompanied by TFAM Director Akira Gokita and Deputy Director Yoshiro Shimizu.

The special exhibition “The World of YAMAMOTO Nizo” is open to the public from July 13 to September 16.

PHOTO CAPTION: From the right: Mr. Takao Yamamoto and his father, Nizo Yamamoto, TFAM Director Gokita and Deputy Director Shimizu

TFAM officials pay courtesy call on China’s Dunhuang Research Academy

On June 17, Director Akira Gokita and Curatorial Department Director Kenichi Hirano of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum met with Director Luo Huaqing of the Dunhuang Research Academy in Gansu Province, China. The Japanese museum officials were on a study mission on cultural artifacts of the Silk Road and spoke with Director Luo on the holding of another Silk Road exhibition.

Since the exhibition “Treasures from Dunhuang, China” (www.fujibi.or.jp/en/exhibitions/profile-of-exhibitions/?exhibit_id=1198510051) held in 1985, TFAM has continued exchange initiatives with the renowned Chinese academy. TFAM was also engaged in various exchanges with celebrated Chinese artist Chang Shuhong, whose dedicated work to protect the cave paintings and artifacts of the Mogao Caves came to be known as the “guardian of Dunhuang.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Director Luo Huaqing (center) flanked by TFAM Director Gokita (left) and Hirano

President of Universidad del Este in Argentina visits TFAM

On May 23, President Maria De Las Mercedes Reitano of Universidad del Este (the Este University) of the Argentine Republic and other members visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, sharing discussions on cultural exchange and viewing the special exhibition, “Samurai Dandyism: The Pride of a Warrior, From Swords to Inro Medicine Cases,” now being held at the museum.

Museum hosts medical research session on health effects of art

On May 8, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum held an orientation on health effects on art (A-Health Japan) as part of an ongoing international medical research initiative. Conducted at museums, the research examines the effects of “participatory art” on people aged 65 and over, investigating how art influences in three categories: wellbeing, quality of life and physical health. This is a pioneering attempt in which museums from ten countries are taking part.

The examinees will participate in such activities as workshops and be asked to answer to an online questionnaire. The research aims to demonstrate that museums and art appreciation activities serve as a means to promote the mental and physical health of senior citizens.

Columbia University scholar speaks at TFAM

On May 2, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum hosted a lecture by Dr. Megan Laverty, associate professor of philosophy and education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She spoke on philosophy and art appreciation, and the role museums play in educating the public on art. Yukiko Noguchi, a media interpreter for CNN and public TV network NHK, interpreted the lecture. Following the lecture, participants gathered before works on Napoleon Bonaparte on display at a TFAM permanent gallery to discuss the pieces based on what they learned from Dr. Laverty.