“Japonismes” Cultural Promotion Event Opens in Paris

July 13, 2018

Paris- Japonismes 2018, an event to promote Japanese culture, opened in Paris on Thursday.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said in a speech at the opening ceremony that he wants as many people as possible to come into contact with Japanese culture and enjoy it.

Referring to how the paintings of Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet were affected by Japanese "ukiyoe" woodblock prints, Kono said there is a long history of emotional ties between Japan and France.

French cultural minister Francoise Nyssen said she thinks people of her country has long been attracted to and had yearnings for Japanese culture. She then said she feels proud that France is hosting Japonismes 2018.

The event commemorates the 160th anniversary this year of the conclusion of the Japan-France Treaty of Amity and Commerce.

In the opening ceremony, where arts professionals from Japan and France were invited, Drum Tao, a group based in Taketa, Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, gave performances of "wadaiko" Japanese drums and "koto" Japanese harps, getting big rounds of applause from the audience.

Japonismes 2018, set to run until February next year, consists of a wide variety of sessions, including exhibitions of modern art works and traditional crafts as well as "kabuki" and other theatrical shows, to be held at some 100 venues mainly in Paris. Jiji Press