Japonismes 2018

Japonismes 2018

What’s New
Japonismes 2018 Associate Program

Background

To showcase comprehensively Japanese arts and culture overseas.
The idea of holding a Japan exposition overseas was proposed at the meeting of the “Beauty of Japan” Comprehensive Project Advisory PanelExternal link (chaired by Mr. Masahiko Tsugawa), which was organized by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in October 2015. Prime Minister Abe then suggested the idea to French president François Hollande at the Japan-France Summit MeetingExternal link in May 2016. During the summit, the two leaders agreed to hold a large-scale event showcasing Japanese culture in Paris and other places in 2018, the year which marks the 160th anniversary of Japan-France diplomatic relations.
This major event, Japonismes 2018, will take place in France, mainly in Paris.
In September 2016, a secretariat was established within the Japan Foundation, and preparations for 2018 are now proceeding.

Outline

Reverence for nature and respect for harmony between differing values together provide a foundation for the aesthetics underlying Japanese culture, from traditional to contemporary. Taking such “aesthetics” as a theme, Japanese and French government agencies and related organizations are collaborating on this initiative under the title of Japonismes 2018: les âmes en resonance.
Japonismes 2018 will take place from July 2018 to February 2019. Exhibitions being programed include art from the Jomon period that represents the origin of Japanese culture, Ito Jakuchu, Rinpa School paintings, and the latest media art, anime and games. Performing arts will range from Kabuki, Noh and Kyogen, and Gagaku to contemporary theater and Hatsune Miku. In addition, there will be a wide range of cultural exchange programs featuring Japanese life culture, including cuisine, traditional festivals, Zen, martial arts, tea ceremony, and ikebana.
One of the aims of arranging these projects is to communicate the attractions of Japan in various aspects to the people of Paris, and through Paris to the rest of the world. In the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is also expected that more and more people will get interested in visiting Japan and this initiative will boost further overseas development of Japan’s superb food, sake, and kogei craft products.

dal sito www.jpf.go.jp