2024.07.18
traditional Entertainmentweekly email newsletter “DENKEN-TEST PRESS” No. 16
We are pleased to present you with the 16th issue weekly email newsletter “DENKEN-TEST PRESS”
The main content of this issue is a report on "Traveling Japanese Painting - Asuka III, an Art Museum on the Sea," which is being held at the Yugawara Museum of Art in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
“Warm-up Quiz” features answers and explanations from the previous quiz, as well as questions from Entertainment industry.
We are also running promotion to give away official textbook to 100 people chosen by lottery from among those who sign up for the newsletter! Please tell people around you to sign up for the newsletter.
DENKEN-TEST textbook
https://bookpub.jiji.com/book/
table of contents
・ Asuka III, a caravan of Japanese culture = "Traveling Japanese painting" - Advance exhibition in Yugawara =
・ “Warm-up Quiz” No. 16 (Entertainment) = "The Form of Noh"
・News from the DENKEN-TEST Association
Asuka III, a caravan of Japanese culture = "Traveling Japanese painting" - Advance exhibition in Yugawara =
Left: Japanese painter Reiji Hiramatsu talks about his works in the "Traveling Japanese Painting" series
Right: Japanese paintings on display at "Asuka III" at the Yugawara Museum of Art
(Both on June 27th in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture)
An exhibition previewing the works of Japanese painter Hiramatsu Reiji, which will be exhibited on board the large passenger ship "Asuka III," scheduled to be launched in 2025, is being held until September 23rd at the Yugawara Museum of Art (Yugawara-machi, Kanagawa Prefecture), where Hiramatsu serves as honorary director. Titled "Traveling Japanese Paintings - Asuka III, an Art Museum on the Sea," the exhibition features works depicting the four seasons of Japan. Hiramatsu said of Asuka III, "It's like a 'cultural caravan' that takes all of Japan's traditional culture overseas to promote international exchange," expressing his expectations for the dissemination of Japanese culture to the world.
Additionally, Mayor Yoshifumi Naito of the town that runs the museum also hopes to use the event to promote the area, saying, "This is a rare opportunity to attract a different demographic of people than those who have visited the museum in the past. I hope that people will take this opportunity to visit Yugawara Town."
The exhibition is divided into two parts: "The Four Seasons of Japan" and "Monet's Pond." In the "Four Seasons of Japan" section, 30 works are on display, including "The Season of Sakura," in which cherry blossom trees are vividly painted in shades of pink, and "Autumn Leaves Floating on a Pond," which features maple leaves in yellow, orange, and crimson.
Asuka III is a cruise ship with a gross tonnage of 52,000 tons and a passenger capacity of approximately 740 people. It is characterized by the large number of art and craft works that convey Japanese culture that are displayed on board. Hiroshi Kawamura, executive officer of Nippon Yusen Cruises, which owns and operates the ship, emphasized the ship's attention to detail, saying, "We designed it with the intention of being able to display craft works and other items. It's truly a moving museum on the sea."
Hiramatsu, who was in charge of the cover of Bungeishunju from 2000 to 2010 and continues to create works using flowers as the subject matter, will provide the Asuka III with the theme of "Japanese paintings traveling the world." In addition, the ship will be decorated with art and craft works by many artists, including lacquer artist and Living National Treasure Murose Kazumi.
The Yugawara Museum of Art, which will be showcasing Hiramatsu's work in advance, opened in 1998 after renovating a long-established inn where Natsume Soseki once stayed. In addition to being a tourist attraction, the museum also serves as an educational facility for the town. The museum cafe, adjacent to the garden where visitors can enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and maple trees, also serves as a place of relaxation for the townspeople. Mayor Naito emphasized that "we will continue to utilize the museum to promote tourism."
“Warm-up Quiz” No. 16 (Entertainment) = "Forms of Noh"
～伝検公式テキスト（9月20日先行発売予定）のジャンルごとに出題します～
reproduction of the Noh picture "Izutsu" by Tsukioka Kogyo
Question: The Noh drama style established by Zeami, in which the protagonist is a spiritual being such as a deity or a ghost from the past, as typified by "Izutsu," is called "( ) Noh." What word goes in the parentheses?
[Previous answer and explanation]
Question: "Tanabata" on July 7th is one of the five seasonal festivals. Each of the five seasonal festivals has its own "event food." An event food is a special dish eaten on an event or celebration day. What is the event food for Tanabata?
Answer: Somen (somen noodles)
Explanation: In ancient China, a prince who died of a fever on July 7th became an evil spirit and spread the fever, but was appeased by offering his favorite sweet, "Sakubei." This story was brought to Japan, and Sakubei was used as one of the offerings in the Tanabata ceremony. It is said that this is the origin of the Tanabata festival. Somen noodles, made from the same wheat flour, were later eaten, and have since become a Tanabata food to pray for good health. The "Five Seasonal Festivals" are also called "Five Seasonal Festivals" because of the custom of making offerings to the gods.
News from DENKEN-TEST Association
"DENKEN-TEST Association Designated Reference Book (Website)" for those who wish to take the exam. We are working to expand the collection of materials that are perfect for learning the basics of traditional culture and traditional industries. Starting last week, "Kabuki Bijin (Kabuki Beauty)" was added. The website is run by Shochiku, a full member of the DENKEN-TEST Association, and provides easy-to-understand explanations of Kabuki even for beginners. In the "Kabuki Trivia" section, you can learn about the history, stage, music, costumes, and more of Kabuki.
A list of reference books is here
https://denken-test.jp/
Editor's Note
What did you think of the 16th issue DENKEN-TEST PRESS? I didn't know that somen noodles were the traditional food. DENKEN-TEST Association is located, nearby Shintomi-cho, and Tsukiji ，There are many famous udon, soba and ramen restaurants.that it's hard to choose. I hope everyone will take measures against summer fatigue and adopt a diet that will help them withstand the heat.
カテゴリー: 伝統芸能 伝検通信（メルマガ）