The art of giving and receiving gifts in Japanese culture

 

 An important part of Japanese culture and tradition is  the art of giving gifts and receiving gifts It involves deep sensitivity and appreciation. The gift ("omiyage") giving and gift receiving involves etiquettes. The way it is handed over to the person to the way it is received matters. I learnt that there was a certain respectful way to give gifts in Japan by bowing and giving a person a gift with both hands while saying " Tsumaranai mono desu ga, douzo... " (This is nothing much or nothing special but please accept it or this is but something trivial but please ). In a way the person who is giving the gift is politely and humbly requesting the other person to accept it. It is a humble way of presenting a gift or putting forward a gift before someone. The gift may be valuable but one has to portray that it may not be that valuable or my interpretation is that the gift is not as valuable as that person whom the gift is meant. That is a way of giving more respect to the person the gift is meant for.

The gift should be accepted with both hands and a bow too. This is how one demonstrates gratitude for the the honour you have received from the other person in terms of the effort and thought behind the gift. Therefore both sides honour and respect each other in a way.  

["douzo' could mean 'here you are" too in such a sentence but it can pass off as "please" too. "Onegai shimasu"  also means please. " Onegai itashimasu" is the honorific form ] 

The way a present or gift is given is more important than the gift. The body language and the tone of voice add to it. Gifts must be received with much appreciation and compliments must be showered. That is the best way to acknowledge and accept a gift. A gift must be received with grace to truly appreciate the person who is giving you the gift. 

Exchanging gifts happens throughout the year and entails a lot of formalities. The way a gift is wrapped also matters as each fold of the  gift wrapping  paper matters and how it is folded. It is an art. The beautiful and intricate Japanese art of gift wrapping is called 'origata'. It entails some rules in the way mainly the traditional Japanese paper (" washi") is folded or for that matter any gift wrapping paper these days. My interpretation is that each fold represents the beautiful emotion, valuable time, great effort and admirable patience in preparing a gift for someone and therefore it is highly refined and artistic.     

The art of giving and receiving gift has to be acquired by people who attach materialism to gifts as it does not come naturally to them since this requires deep sentiments and sensitivity for another person. I think you don't win and honour people by merely gifts but you win them by the act of respect, kindness and sensitivity in the process of giving and receiving gifts ! And you show a person much respect when you can demonstrate that you have a place for that person's gift in your heart. It is always nice to demonstrate and that you will use a gift and not pass it on to someone. Giving and taking is two way process that involves caring...   

Paper Art Kirigami Connection with Traditional Art Form of Rangoli & Marble Inlay Work

Paper art is a beautiful art form and is popular in many counties like Japan, Germany, U.S.A and China. Japan is known for the paper art Origami and Kirigami. Origami is a well known paper art and is famous worldwide. Origami is a paper art that involves folding of paper. While Kirigami paper art involves folding of single paper many times to form different shapes like a square or a cone for instance and cutting that paper base into various shapes symmetrically in each section to form designs. That folded paper with numerous small cuts in many shapes and sizes are then opened to reveal the final patterns in the shape of snowflakes,flowers etc.

" Kiru" means to cut and "gami "( kami ) means paper. Kirigami means to cut paper. It is a beautiful as well as delicate and intricate form of paper craft of folded as well as cut paper to form paper designs of snowflakes etc.

Origami does not involve cutting of paper. I remember how as children my brother and I learnt Kirigami and Origami in our craft class in Japan. Origami and Kirigami lessons were the lessons we always looked forward to as these paper arts would transport us to a peaceful world of pretty designs and creativity. I used to love the beautiful and bright coloured papers specially with Japanese motifs used specially in origami.  We used to create snowflakes for decorating our school windows before Christmas at our International school in Tokyo.

Kirigami was particularly interesting as according to me it is closest to an individual expression and what is interesting is that the more innovative you get the more interesting and delightful designs of paper craft you create. It is a paper art form that children specially enjoy and while all forms of paper art around the world are lovely, Kirigami is very popular and teaches kids to develop patience and refine their concentration and  creativity. The wonderful pop up cards or books that are an old time favourite of most are also an example of Kirigami.

The Kirigami designs resemble some of the patterns of " Rangoli ". In modern India Kirigami paper stencils are now available to make " Rangolis " on Hindu festivals like Diwali ( Festival of Lights )  and other auspicious occasions at the entrance using vibrant coloured sand, powders or rice. Rangoli is an ancient traditional folk art form from India where mostly geometrical,floral or other ethnic motifs are drawn on the floor or ground in the form of a circle with actually a chalk or freehand with coloured powder. These patterns are filled with lively coloured sand, petals or rice. These patterns are then decorated with earthen lamps around them usually at the entrance to welcome the Gods and the guests. On Diwali Rangoli is made at the entrance of the house to attract and welcome the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi . Now that my imagination is becoming more active in comparing the traditional art of Kirigami , I wonder if artisans, craftsmen and designers got inspired by it to even create those block printing wooden blocks which are used with vegetable dyes to design saris and fabrics and the designs on these paper mâché  or brass, mother of pearl and marble pill boxes. My mother and I were just discussing how the delicate art form of inlay work using semi precious stones on marble in Taj Mahal also reminds us of Kirigami art. The art form of Inlay work originated from Italy and then appealed to the Mughals soon after that.

I believe that Kanako Yaguchi is a very famous and well respected artist in the world of Kirigami. I have always been particularly interested in this paper art form since my childhood days but I intend to pursue this childhood interest and hobby now to study more about this art form and learn about this artist as well to inspire myself more in immersing myself deeper in this form of paper art.

Sometimes it is easier living a lie ! This is a line from the movie "Catch me if you can" directed by Steven Spielberg. This movie is based on a true story about Frank Abagnale Jr., who before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks (cheques) as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. An FBI agent Carl Hanratty hunts him down after a long and interesting chase. But later it is Carl who convinces the FBI to offer a deal to Frank to spend the remainder of his sentence working for them.In the end Frank ends up working for the Bank Fraud Department of FBI and serves the remainder of his sentence of twelve years there. Later in life Frank goes on to earn millions of dollars each year because of his work creating unforgeable cheques.


Well this movie has come on TV several times but I never got interested in watching the entire movie at one time until last week. Earlier on I have watched it in bits and pieces but today this movie kept me engrossed from the beginning till the end and I realized that the message in this movie is far deeper than I imagined.

It made me think about a lot of things and I couldn't help but think that for various reasons and maybe limitations in their life, most people tend to live a life of lie maybe not the way the character Frank ( played by Leonardo DiCaprio ) in this movie did but in so many different ways.

Some people live a "make believe life" as I would like to name it to escape reality as the truth for them can be more harsh than the lie. People sometimes think that the solution to their problems lies in not addressing it at all and to detach themselves from the truth they resort to pretending and gradually start living a life of lie.

When people live a life of lie be it in a relationship or profession, they actually start believing that there can be no life other than that and resign themselves unfairly to an unhappy life filled with only pain,loneliness and disillusionment. They cheat themselves from living a real and true life where they may actually find peace and happiness. I have seen people living an unhappy marriage or working somewhere that does not serve their appetite of dreams and ambitions but they continue living that life and falsely convincing themselves to feel that this is the only thing and the best thing for them for whatever reasons.

But I have also seen people who save such people above from their lives of lies and restore confidence in their lives by motivating and inspiring them to find themselves again and basing their lives on strengths.

The way I see it in this movie Frank tries to escape the pain of the separation of his parents and the breaking of his family life by pretending to be many things and people at one time but himself. He is very intelligent and can do anything he puts his heart and efforts into but he uses his skills and talents only to escape himself by living a life of lie. Frank challenges the FBI agent Carl Hanratty ( Tom Hanks ) to catch him if he can and yet keeps giving him clues perhaps because he wants someone to save him and give him the attention he wants. Frank tries to hide from life in a way and tries to cheat life by running away from it all the time and pretending to be many characters. He tries to take control of his life by pretending to be many characters but his actual real self till the time his father is lost to him forever. What is sad is that he tries to buy happiness for his family and himself through money and makes tremendous efforts to unite his parents but in vain.

Finally he loses to life because as usual life has it's own plans and nobody can alter that. That is when Frank gives up in a way because he gets disheartened to see that his mother now has no place for him in life as she has a brand new family. He turns himself in to the FBI on Christmas Eve. What is most touching is how the agent recognizes the child in Frank who just wants to be loved and accepted and it is he who shows this deep sensitivity to him by getting his prison sentence reduced and giving him a life that suits his talents and adds meaning and order to his life. The character of the FBI agent is also most brilliantly played by Tom Hanks.

Frank always calls the agent on Christmas Eve and that is because he is lonely and the agent realizes that. In the end the FBI agent actually saves Frank from running from himself all the time and helps him reach his true potentials and gets him back to life by motivating him to live a life based on truth. It is really interesting to see how the relationship between Frank and the agent grows through the story and how the agent succeeds in stopping Frank from running away from reality and face his life and create a wonderful ending for him through all that he is capable of giving back to life.

I loved the movie as it is light and humorous at times but with a serious and deep note and a dash of inspiration to make anyone who has lost his way in life to get back on path. In a way the FBI agent turns out to be a kind of " wing friend" or his Guardian Angel in other words to restore his life after his father's demise and his mother's desertion.

Life sure is tough most of the times and the only way to make it somewhat simple is to be true to yourself and stay true to yourself even if you end up alone.

Traditional Japanese Dolls

While living in Mie- ken I learnt more about Traditional Japanese Dolls. We have a collection of traditional Japanese dolls at our home. They were presented to us by a close friend and ex- Defencare Attaché of Japan to India in the 80s. But I got an opportunity to study about them when I was teaching in Mie. Most of my seniors there knew the art of making traditional dolls. It was an honour to receive their hand made dolls as gifts. I possess Ichimatsu and Kimekomi dolls...As a child in Tokyo, some of my friends also made paper dolls for me which again is an art form by itself. Kimekomi dolls date back to Edo period and to put it simply are made of cloth and wood. Ki means tree/ wood and mekomi refers to the technique of the tucking of the fabric...Traditional Japanese dolls represent children,warriors and ladies in kimono...They are used in the Dolls Festival- Hina Matsuri and as gifts to friends and family. Ichimatsu dolls represent little boys and girls.They were presented by Japan to the United States  in the Friendship Doll Exchange in the 1920s. I will share the picture of these dolls another time...

Traditional Japanese Dolls Handmade by a friend Ezaki San  in Mie-ken

Life is a Circus...

Yesterday I watched the movie " Mera Naam Joker ". It is a famous movie of the legendary actor Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor movies have been widely acclaimed everywhere in the world specially in Russia. A lot of people who met me abroad always associated India with Raj Kapoor. His movies have touched many hearts till date.

  I was deeply touched too by the movie.  A joker or a clown laughs in all circumstances...What may come, what may go he always laughs...He suppresses his tears to make other's laugh. A joker is always an entertainer. He believes that the show must go on. But behind the smile of the joker hides deep sadness.

It is true that whatever may happen in life ,the show must go on. That is what life demands from us.So many times I have thought about how people continue to live even after losses and heartbreaks. They do so because life only has place for those who move forward as the play of life doesn't stop at one point.Such is life ! People are compelled by life to move ahead despite the tears and sadness.

In this movie " Mera Naam Joker" too, Raju states that Life is a circus and there are three stages in life- Childhood, Youth and Old age.

His first love is his teacher who is very sensitive and caring towards him. His second love is a Russian girl who is caring and loving but countries and cultures divide them.  His third love needs him and in that need develops caring. But she gives up everything in their journey together for new things and that brings about differences of thoughts in their  relationship because she is driven solely by ambition. It is sad go see how Raju always gives his heart for it to be only returned back to him. Every time he presents a toy joker to whomever he gives his heart to as the joker represents him...But the ladies in his life always return it back to him eventually just to move forward without him.Everybody in his life comes to just leave him in the end.

And that is what Raju the joker believes that nothing belongs to nobody in life as everything gets taken away from everyone at one time or another...It is true nothing in life can be contained. Nothing lasts forever be it human being or relationships.

The song " Jeena yahan Marna yahan" is a beautiful song from this movie which means that We live here, We die here...in the circus of life.

What is inspiring about Raju's character is that he remains a real joker all his life...true to himself as very early in age he decides to become a joker to spread happiness in all's life. He gives himself completely to others only to lose them and yet he always wishes them well. Even in his tears he gives happiness to others.He has a big heart and is always giving by spreading happiness in everyone's lives even if his heart breaks. But a person who is a giver always loses something...

I feel that somewhere we all have a joker in us as we know that without entertaining people around us we will be left alone. It is true life is a circus as whatever may happen in your life, people expect you to remain happy all the time as nobody has time for tears. If you cry, you cry alone...If you laugh, everyone will laugh with you.

Tomorrow we may not be here to entertain but some others will replace us in life to entertain in the circus of life as the show has to go on. Performers come and go...Life remains the same.



Taiko performance at Sake Matsuri (Festival)



                                             Bunraku

In Japan, another traditional performing art Bunraku is delightful too. It’s a refined form of puppet theatre which involves music played on ‘shamisen’ (a three-stringed instrument… which I tried to play once).In Bunraku the story is narrated through singing. It has been popular and widely acclaimed since 16^th C.

SUMI-E

Sumi-e painting ( Japanese Ink Painting on Rice Paper)
The artist is my father



Sumi-e originated in ancient China and was introduced in Japan by Zen Buddhists and since then has become a very important part of Japanese culture...It was introduced in Korea too.
Painting is a form of meditation. This art form requires immense skill, concentration and discipline. In sumi-e once a stroke is painted it cannot be changed. It reminds me of life in a way where fate and time don't grant you second chances…
Sumiye involves one stroke…can’t have backward strokes. Such is life too as in life too each day cannot be painted again and a moment cannot be revived. So we must live every moment and paint a beautiful memory on that moment as once that moment escapes us, that moment can never be brought back or altered...    

SHALL WE DANCE???

Life is a Tango 

Life in a relationship is a dance…I want him to lead and I want to follow…

I was reading about Tango and it’s different forms. This dance has always fascinated me. I feel in many ways Life is a Tango…in a relationship. A man leads in life and if he misses a step or falters, the dance could end there and then…It also depends on both the man and woman as to how to create a beautiful experience in the journey of their relationship …

What is important is how he leads and how she follows… to create a beautiful dance in life without tripping each other. A dance like Tango can be experienced in a marriage with beautiful and precise  steps. Each step must be taken with care and each movement must be graceful in a relationship to create such a beautiful dance.

The Tango dancers dance in a closed embrace with legs relaxed and slightly bent…that’s how a relationship between couples should be. Love should embrace the couple yet it should not suffocate them. There should be optimum communication.  They should find solace and peace in each other’s love and bend the rules a bit to avoid rigidity of any kind in that beautiful emotion. They should flexibly adjust to each others’ needs in a relationship just like the Nuevo Tango’s frame called an ‘embrace’ or ‘abrazo’ where the embrace is not rigid but it actually adjusts to different steps. Of course occasional gymnastic lifts, kicks and drops like Tango are natural in a relationship to make the journey of love interesting. But whatever may come, the dance of a relationship should not lose grace and beauty. 

                                                                                 

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL ARTS

                                                          MASK-'NOH'

‘Noh’ to put it simply is a kind of mask dance. Though the correct definition would be that Noh is a kind of music theatre in which the leading actor is adorned with costume of silk and a wooden mask.

Noh masks are lacquered wooden masks that depict characters like an old man, an old woman, a ghost or a divine figure. Noh masks as they’re known to the outside world are very expensive.Somebody gifted us one of these masks once in Tokyo and I was really attracted to the calm expression that mask depicted.

 Noh involves music (‘utai’) as well as musical accompaniment i.e. ‘hayashi’. But it is also accompanied by dances. Singing, dance and music unite with the dialogues in telling a story in Noh. Whenever I look at masks I am reminded of our lives.

Life is a stage… I feel all are wearing masks and pretend to be someone else. All wear different masks for different people. A person is forced to play different characters and has various masks-one for the work environment, one for personal life etc.

According to me, what's dangerous is when people get so absorbed in playing their parts or characters that they forget themselves and actually start believing in being what they are playing or pretending to be…They actually lose their true identity then. It is sad that their true self can never be revealed like this...As time goes by the mask becomes you. You also become a mirror then...as in you start reflecting others. You show people what they want to see in you...In a way you start entertaining them...This is when you have to stop...

There are some who have the courage to show their true self but are not accepted... The world does not have the courage to accept such people for their true self. The world always wants you to play a part or act…In the process, enacting a character leads you to actually become that character…

JAPANESE & INDIAN TRADITIONAL ARTS
KABUKI & KATHAKALI
Similar yet different...

In Japan and India, traditional performing arts continue to win peoples’ hearts till date. I particularly like ‘Kabuki’ and am very fascinated by 'Kathakali' as well. I find that both are quite similar in many ways despite their differences in expressions and languages.


‘Kabuki’ is a classic performing art with a rich history of 400 years and dates back to the 17th C. It is a form of classical theatre. 'Kathakali' is also one of the oldest theatre forms in the world.It originated over 500 years ago.


The attractive colourful costumes and flamboyant makeup in both Kabuki and Kathakali  are truly fascinating. Both dances are noted for the attractive makeup of the characters and elaborate costumes.  


But most of the Kabuki plays symbolize the medieval period i.e. the “Edo jidai”. While Kathakali dancers enact stories from Indian folk epics like "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata".


However in both dances, the elaborate makeup of the characters is very important.In the plays of Kabuki , the makeup alone reflects their personality and moods. The concentration is more on makeup and not so much on natural expressions.  In Kathakali , dancers elaborately paint their faces too. It is interesting to find out that the colours used in the makeup of Kathakali dancers are determined by the nature of the character. For instance, the makeups of the divine heroes are predominantly green while characters of nobility with evil streaks are similar but slashed with red marks on the cheek.I find it interesting that in both Kabuki and Kathakali , the makeup is so loud and colourful that it actually resembles a mask.


In Kabuki , a lot of stress is laid on how the characters deliver the lines as well. The lines that are delivered by the performers have a rhythm to it. I was told that all the actors in these plays are men. It’s interesting to know that both the male and female characters are played by male actors. Kabuki takes place on a rotating stage. On the other hand, in Kathakali actors enact their parts through 'mudras' (graceful hand movements). There are about 24 important mudras. They wear stylized costumes with tall head dresses. Kathakali displays detailed gestures and well-defined body movements.


But both Kabuki and Kathakali are an art that combines singing with dancing. They are a beautiful combination of drama,dance,music and ritual.Music provides a perfect background for the stories in both the dances...

Kathakali

Kabuki (Kagegami-Wallpaper)