| Title: |
Calendar for October 1964 (Japanese Dragons, & Festivals: Jidai Matsuri, Takayama Hachiman Matsuri, Yabusame & Kasagake) |
| Artist: |
Serizawa, Keisuke (Shizuoka, Japan, 1895 - 1984) |
| Date: |
1964 |
| Medium: |
Original Hand-Stenciled Dye Print |
| Publisher: |
Keisuke Serizawa Workshop, Shizuoka, Japan |
| Note: |
Keisuke Serizawa: A world famous designer, painter, illustrator, dyer
and book and print maker, Keisuke Serizawa attracted international attention
as early as 1925 for his distinctive Kataezome style, combining Japanese
dyeing techniques with those of Okinawan bingata. This he applied with
equal success to kimono and fabric patterns, wall hangings, paintings,
fans and original prints. Above all, Keisuke Serizawa became a leading artist of 'Mingei' --
which in Japanese generally means folk art. This original print calendar created for October 1964 is of course
a fine example of Serizawa's Mingei. |
| |
Shortly after the end of World War II, Keisuke Serizawa instituted his
own workshop and teaching studio in his native city of Shizuoka. His reputation
continued to spread and he received the highest award for any artist in
1956 when he was designated a "Living National Treasure" by the Emperor
of Japan. After Keisuke Serizawa's death in 1984 the Tohoku Fukushi University
in Sendai, Tohoku District, constructed a museum comprised solely of Serizawa's
art. The Keisuke Serizawa Art & Craft Museum now contains over 200
examples of this artist's fabric patterns and wall hangings and about 1,000
examples
of his paper dyeing workshop productions such as original prints, fans
and calendars. |
| |
The art of Keisuke Serizawa has been exhibited world wide. In the United
States his art has been exhibited thus far in two major one man exhibitions.
The first took place in 1979 at the Mingei International Museum in San
Diego and was entitled, "Keisuke Serizawa: A Living National Treasure
of Japan". More recently, in 1998, the Riverside Municipal Museum,
Riverside, California, launched a major retrospective entitled, "The
Art of Keisuke Serizawa". |
| |
An important production of Serizawa's workshop was the annual calendars
which he created from the late 1950's to the early 1980's. Each of these
calendars contained thirteen original prints, one for each month and a
frontis-piece design. October 1964 was printed as a dye print design for the
1964 calendar and clearly represents a beautiful and original example of
the folk art of Keisuke Serizawa. |
| |
Japanese Dragons: The dragon is one of twelve zodiac signs used in Japan, and the year, 1964 is one of eight years associated with its birth. People born in the year of the dragon are believed to be brave, sensitive, energetic, trustworthy, and a bit stubborn. In Japanese lore, dragons are said to inhabit the sky and bodies of water. The Blue dragon also described as (blue/green) is believed to be the guardian of the eastern signs in the Japanese Zodiac. Dragons are often associated with both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. They are said to be gods of fertility and agriculture. In the Ryujin faith, for example, the dragon is associated with rain prayers, abundant fishing, and agriculture. There is a ceremony to commemorate the quelling of the dragon that takes place at Kuzuryu Shrine on the 13th of each month. Dragons are believed to be symbols of strength, courage and magic. Unlike dragons from other countries, Japanese dragons have only three claws, and although they can still fly, they are wingless serpents. The dragon illustrated in this original Keisuke Serizawa hand-stenciled dye print 1964 calendar is ascending towards the heavens. |
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Dragons belong to the world of supernatural apparitions commonly known in Japan as Yokai, sometimes spelled (Youkai). Stories of the exploits of the Yokai worshiped as gods, and the misdeeds of the threatening, dark forces behind the noxious and sinister nature of those thought to be demons have been passed down through legends and folklore, eventually making their way into popular culture. Other words that have a similar meaning as Yokai may include, 'ayakashi, 'mononoke', or mamono', and a common English translation for Yokai is 'monster', but in reality, its meaning encompasses a vast array of mythological phenomenon. According to various superstitions and legends, it is believed yokai have an innate connection to the moon, some youkai are recognized as beneficial, and said to have the power to bestow good fortune and health; while others are presumed evil, dangerous, or just untrustworthy, and are able to frighten, intimidate, or even murder their victims. Although they are very different in nature and appearance, most Yokai have certain characteristics in common, such as their arrogant attitude towards humans, their mischievous, and impish disposition, mystic powers, and the ability to create pandemonium. Today, Yokai are most often described as unexplained, but powerful apparitions with bewitching, or grotesque features. One of the most common powers attributed to the Yokai is the ability to alter their appearance, transforming or metamorphosing into anything or anyone, a clever trick that could lead to disconcerting or frightful experiences for humans. In Japanese folklore beings that posses this power are known as shape shifters, and changelings (obake, and bakemono), and most of the dragons in the world of the the Yokai are obake. A brief selection of Japanese dragons includes Yamata no Orochi, an eight headed dragon, Watatsumi, a sea god and ruler of the oceans, Han Riu, a dragon king that is striped with nine colors, followed by the man eating dragon called Mizuchi, a river dragon and water deity (Mizuchi means dragon in Chinese), and another beast of note is the mannered rain god called (Ryu or Ryuu), one of four divine beasts in Japanese mythology (Ryuu means dragon in Japanese). Women are also represented in the dragon kingdom, and our first selection includes, Kiyohime, the scorned woman turned into a murderous dragon, and Nure-onna, a dragon with the head of a woman, or the dragon princess, Otohime daughter of the dragon king, Ryujin, god of the sea, and our last example is Toyotama-hime, descendent of Japan's legendary first emperor. Dragons have been portrayed in literature and the visual arts throughout time. In the 19th century, artists such as Kuniyoshi and Kunisada created beautiful woodcuts depicting these creatures. Kawanabe Kyosai's original woodcut entitled, A Warrior Battling a Dragon is also a striking example of dragons depicted in Japanese art. |
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Japanese Festivals & Events in October (Jidai Matsuri, Takayama Hachiman Matsuri, Yabusame & Kasagake Festivals): In Japan, there are many holidays and festivals (matsuri) or events that take place during the year, especially since almost every shrine has its annual local festival to celebrate their deity. One of the most important elements in Japanese festivals are the processions or the parade of floats (yata) carrying and displaying their local shrine through the town. Some of these rituals are modest, others are massive bringing together millions of people. Japanese festivals are often accompanied by traditional local music and dance, and with participants wearing some of the most beautiful traditional garments representing various time periods. Some events are loud and boisterous with fantastic fireworks while others are quiet and meditative. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the ability of the Japanese people to maintain their traditional beliefs. The Japanese government has officially declared fifteen national holidays. The new law holds that if any of those holidays fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is also taken off. The following includes just a few festivals that are held in the month of October. |
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Jidai Matsur: Along with the Gion festival and the Aoi festivals, the Jidai-Matsuri Pageant (Festival of the Ages/Eras) is the second largest and most important event that takes place in the city of Kyoto. The Jidai-Matsuri was originally created to to inaugurate the completion of the magnificent Heian Shrine which is a replica of the original Imperial Palace. It was also conceived as a historical re-enactment to celebrate Kyoto’s glorious past and the 1,100 anniversary of the day Emperor Kammu entered Kyoto, then known as Heian-kyo, establishing it as the capital of Japan in 794. The Jidai-Matsuri was first held in October of 1875, after the capital was moved to Tokyo, as a modest event divided into six parts, each section representing six eras from Kyoto’s history. The pageant features over one thousand years of Japanese garments and artifacts that represent people of all social backgrounds from different periods, emperors, consorts, courtiers, nobles commanders and samurai warriors, soldiers, artists, servants and beggars. It always begins with the Meiji Restoration (1868) and goes all the way back to the Heian Period (794-1185). Today, there are over twenty sections and over two thousand people participate in this event, dressed in the most amazing traditional Japanese costumes from different eras. The participants, men women and children, perform dances and other types of arts as an offering to deities in Yasaka Shrine. The procession begins at noon at the palace grounds and heads west along the Marutachi dori, then south on Karasuma to Oike dori and Gion and Sanjo dori ending at Heian Shrine about five hours later. Jidai-Matsuri is truly a magnificent Festival of the Ages. |
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Takayama Hachiman Matsuri: An Autumn Takayama festival, known as the Hachiman Matsuri is held at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine in the month of October. It is believed by many to be one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan. Its greatest attractions are the eleven magnificent yatai (floats) decorated with intricate carvings, metal works, lacquering, embroidered drapery and more. The yatai are laden with hundreds of chochin lanterns to display their beauty and the Karakuri (plays performed by mechanical puppets). Briefly, 'Hachiman' is an important Buddhist/Shinto deity worshiped as the 'God of Archery & War', a devine protector of the Japanese people, the 'God of Writing & Culture', and he is also identified with the "God of Eight Banners' and the Emperor of Japan, Emperor Ojin. |
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Yabusame & Kasagake Festivals: The annual autumn yabusame festival is held in Koyama Town, located in rural Kagoshima prefecture, and kasagake ritual takes place at the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, both are are held in the month of October, though these events are also held at other festivals throughout Japan. Dating back hundreds of years, yabusame became an integral part of military training for samurai warriors. Today, it is regarded as a ceremonial ritual where competitions combining equestrian skills and Japanese-style archery take place. In both kasagake and yabusame, the mounted archers gallop down down a course and release their arrows at their targets. However, there are a few key differences, kasagake is believed to be more competitive while yabusame is more spiritual. In kasagake, the length of the track is shorter and hollow whistling kaburaya arrows are shot at the various sized targets while in yabusame the archer must hit three stationary targets of equal size using a traditional Japanese long bow. The colourful pageantry, of these equestrian festival provide entertainment for everyone. |
| Size: |
12 X 10 1/2 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
| |
Matted with 100% Archival Materials |
| Buy Now |
Price: $195.00 US |
| Condition: |
Printed upon hand-made mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as
published by the Keisuke Serizawa workshop in 1964. A finely printed, full
colour impression and in excellent condition throughout. Calendar October 1964 is a fine,
original example of the famous Mingei art of Keisuke Serizawa. |
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