What weโre about
WELCOME!
We have events, outings or parties in Tokyo, Chiba and elsewhere for Japanese and foreigners who want to build good social relations while exploring this amazing area.
We like socializing with food and drinks including city and country walks, park and garden tours with picnics, exploring "hidden" neighborhoods, old homes and castles, enjoying traditional and modern festivals, fairs, concerts, comedy shows, museums, arts and crafts, unique art events and special "happenings"!
Discover Japan, practice English/Japanese communications, make new friends, and invite your friends to join!
Volunteers are welcome, and we're eager to hear your suggestions for future meetups.
Domo Arigatou!
~ Kerry @}:^)!
P.S. We need volunteers especially Japanese-English and English-Japanese translators!
Volunteers may help in planning future events, assist the organizers on Meetup days, will get FREE admission to special events, and may enjoy other nice benefits too numerous to mention here..
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Images of Ancient Clay Figures @Museum of๐จModern Art & visit Yasukuni๐ธShrine!Takebashi Station (Tozai-line), Exit-1A , Tokyo
Currently, two very important & exciting exhibitions are being held in Tokyo!
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The first is a major exhibition of "HANIWA", at the National Museum of History in Ueno Park, plus this marvelous showing of modern artworks, (from the Meiji-Era to the present) at MOMA, which either display, or draw inspiration from superb & mysterious ancient pottery figures dating from the Jomon, Yayoi and Kofun Eras, which were created by unknown artisans from 10,000 to 1,300 years ago!
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The exhibition we'll see during this Meetup is,
"Modern Images of Ancient Clay Figures at National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo" https://www.momat.go.jp/"The image of Haniwa and Dogu excavated from ancient strata has permeated modern Japan & have become established characters. Unearthed artifacts have generated cultural phenomena in various fields, ranging from arts & crafts to architecture, photography, film, theater, literature, performing arts & even educational programs."
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"The postwar episodes of Okamoto Taro & Isamu Noguchi โdiscoveringโ the aesthetic value of excavated objects, previously treated only as archaeological materials, is now a legend."
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"Why did unearthed objects attract attention only during a certain period of time? How did the evaluation of them spread? Why were artists so passionate about unearthed artifacts? With a focus on art, this exhibition is a double treat, as you will be able to see behind the Haniwa & Dogu fads while appreciating works of art, from archaeological illustrations to manga!"
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A major feature of this exhibition is the wide range of periods and genres addressed. It covers everything from sketches of excavated artifacts from the Meiji period (1868โ1912)
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(Adults ยฅ1,800, University students ยฅ1,200, High S: ยฅ700)
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Since many Haniwa were created in the form of armored warriors, the elite rulers in those days & were crafted to decorate or guard their great, "Kofun" tombs which once dominated the landscape & often depict horses, ships, weapons & other aspects of the ancient power-elite, some of the artworks from the mid-20th century were used as a form of war propaganda, as you will see!
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Since the museum is not far from, "Yasukuni-jinja", the majestic, but controversial National Shinto shrine created by Emperor Meiji to honor countless, "Heroes of the Nation", (which has its own collection of superb sculptures & artwork immortalizing Japanese warriors), I thought it would be interesting to combine our museum viewing with a walk through a lovely, forested part of the Imperial Palace, once, "Edo-jo", the greatest castle of the Tokugawa Shoguns.
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It's also quite near the date when we might also remember the tragic Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in early December, 1941!
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Yasukuni-jinja is a very large & beautiful shrine, with many wonderful artistic features, including gigantic steel torii arches, the "Sakura ๐ธGarden" prefectural monuments & many impressive statues, so let's put politics aside & explore it with an open mind!
https://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/
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There is an excellent cafe, plus various rest areas on the grounds where refreshments can be had, but please plan to bring your lunch, or snacks & a beverage, so we can take a meal break in the palace gardens, then focus on discovering the pleasures & treasures of Yasukuni!
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(NOTE: "The Yushukan" is the Yasukuni Museum, which features an impressive collection focusing on Japanese warriors, weapons & historical materials, some of which are quite controversial. We're not planning to visit, except to peek inside the free areas, but if you can afford the time & the admission fee, the Yushukan is highly recommended!
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AFTER touring Yasukuni, we might take a walk along the Kanda River to Canal Cafe in Iidabashi to relax and socialize by the riverside!
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(NOTE: This will be a shorter Meetup than some of our events, so you will have the rest of the day for your own activities.)
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Our Meetups are family-friendly, so well-behaved kids are welcome!
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We work hard to plan interesting & unique meetups for you, so please be generous with contributions of between ยฅ500-ยฅ5000!
(As much as you can afford, because we truly appreciate you joining!)
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>>PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN OUR MEETUP GROUP!<<
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THIS MEETUP WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO! ~ KERRY D. ๐
