Japanese Traditional Culture

Weekly email newsletter “DENKEN-TEST PRESS" No.１

“DENKEN-TEST PRESS” begins !

Nice to meet you all! My name is Katsuhiko Sakai, chairman of Japan Traditional Culture Testing Association. Thank you for subscribing to our weekly email newsletter, “DENKEN-TEST PRESS".

From now on, every Thursday, we will send you basic information about traditional Japanese culture and announcements from Japan Traditional Culture Testing Association. Please encourage your friends and acquaintances to sign up for our newsletter.

The purpose of DENKEN-TEST is to develop people who understand and support Japan's traditional culture and traditional industries, which are currently in a critical situation. To that end, we hope that as many people as possible will take DENKEN-TEST and pass it.

Actually, I am a complete beginner, but since I decided to study, small changes have been occurring around me. I changed my business card holder from Coach to Koshu Inden. The head family “Inden-ya" was founded in Tensho 10 (1582), the year of the Honnoji Incident. I simply thought, “Wow!" I had no idea that in my 65 years of life.

Hermes bags are great, and Meissen tableware is great too. But Japan has many masterpieces that are just as good as them. The more I learn about them, the more I am fascinated by their profundity.

Let's study together. Thank you for reading DENKEN-TEST PRESS.

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table of contents

・ 伝統文化と私（一般社団法人日本伝統文化検定協会会長　近衞忠大）
・ 「クイズで肩慣らし」第１回（陶磁器・ガラス）
・ 伝検協会だより

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Traditional Culture and Me

Tadahiro Konoe, Chairman of Japan Traditional Culture Testing Association

I have recently been entrusted with the important role of chairperson of Japan Traditional Culture Testing Association.

In recent years, Japan has become one of the most popular tourist destinations, and Japanese content is loved all over the world. I think this recognition is due to the country's history and traditions, as well as its ability to create new things without being bound by them.

When I go outside of Japan, I meet many “Japan fans". And when I meet people who are well-educated, I am often ashamed of my own ignorance.

I was born during the period of rapid economic growth, grew up overseas, and worked as a creator, so I was pretty far removed from tradition. However, I was born into a family with deep ties to many shrines and temples, Entertainment, and crafts, so I have always felt the need to give back to my ancestors through my experiences in contact with nature and tradition. As a Japanese person who has spent a long time abroad, I would like to be able to properly understand the traditions we should be proud of and help as many Japanese people as possible to convey them, regardless of language.

The study of traditional culture is often difficult and takes a long time. However, if you are exposed to its splendor and have an opportunity to become interested, you may be able to learn while having fun. Through Traditional Japanese Culture Test, we hope to create an opportunity to study together with you. Thank you for your cooperation.

CEO/Creative Director, curioswitch Inc.
Lecurer of Imperial Poetry Contest at Board of the Ceremonies of Imperial Household Agency

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「クイズで肩慣らし」第１回（陶磁器・ガラス）

―Questions will be divided into categories from the official textbook (due for publication around September)ー

Do you know what the pattern on this tea bowl is called? (The answer and explanation will be in the next issue.)

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News from DENKEN-TEST Association

一般社団法人日本伝統文化検定協会は伝統文化や伝統産業に関する「日本伝統文化検定（伝検）」を２４年秋にスタートさせます。学習・出題分野としては「陶磁器・ガラス」「和紙・染織」「金工・木漆工」「伝統色・紋様」「庭園・建築・美術」「茶道・和菓子・日本茶」「食文化・歳時記」「芸能」の８ジャンルを設定。試験は、仕事に応用できる知識を身に付ける中級（標準）レベルの「２級（伝統文化マスター）」から始め、コンピューターを使ったＣＢＴ方式を用い全国３００カ所以上のテストセンターで受けることができます。

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[Editor's Note]

We have delivered the first issue of “DENKEN-TEST PRESS”. Traditional culture and traditional industries that have been nurtured in Japan since ancient times are currently in a critical situation. The first step is to learn about them. Please look forward to future email newsletters. In this issue, we have received a contribution from Konoe Tadahiro, the eldest son of the Konoe family, a nobleman and the head of the five regent families, and general director of Japan Traditional Culture Testing Association. Every issue also includes a “Warm-up Quiz". Please look forward to the next issue and beyond (Sakamoto).

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