DATE: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 1:00 pm
SITE: St. Johns Hospital – Oakland: Education Center
27351 Dequindre Rd (West side); Madison Heights
(North of 11 Mile Rd • South of 12 Mile
Conveniently located North of I-696 and East of I-75)
Meeting Information: Patricia Beer @ (586) 558-9767
Video and Lecture Presentation
Display, Care and Handling
of Kakemono ~ Japanese hanging scrolls
by Russell Yamazaki, presenter
Our speaker today is Russell Yamazaki; man of many talents, medical research scientist, proficient vocal and instrumental musician plus valued member of MOAS who brought us unto the PowerPoint age, plus a collector of Japanese contemporary woodblock prints, chests and other items. Many of our speakers come to us able to use computer assisted presentations and with his help we up-graded our technology.
A significant factor which can make the acquisition of a given hanging scroll perhaps even more compelling than that of a Japanese woodblock is their UNIQUENESS. Each scroll is unique unto itself. After all, the artwork seen on nearly all Japanese hanging scrolls is indeed a true one-of-a-kind piece of art. Individually and painstakingly hand-drawn, thus, not even two "similar-appearing" pieces are alike. Hence, the added appeal of owning such a piece, the satisfaction of owning a truly unique piece of art.
Another factor supporting the acquisition of Japanese hanging scrolls as artwork is their overall intrinsic value as antiques. Their painstaking construction requires a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process. So, beyond simply the value of their unique, hand-painted artwork, each completed hanging scroll also represents numerous hours of an artisan’s time to construct. Simply stated, with Japanese scrolls you “get a lot for your money.”
In past centuries in Japan, scrolls were kept rolled in boxes and taken out only on special occasions when important guests are being entertained, after which they are returned in their boxes to be kept away from sunlight and air. It has been known for a long time that sunlight and air damages the art. On the other hand, in Ameria, we are used to displaying arts constantly, which exposes the paintings to contaminating pollutants, leading to easy deterioration. The storage boxes are made of pawlownia wood, and more expensive boxes, which are precise and airtight, are custom made of lacquered Japanese cypress for invaluable scrolls. The advantage of storage boxes is that they make less likely the exposure of the art to the dangers of sunlight and air, and are convenient for shipping and handling. However, rolling and unrolling the art may cause crimping and distortion.
Welcome Guests: All are encouraged to bring artifacts that relate to this program and Year of the Rabbit to share with the group.
Some members and guests dine together after the meeting at the Mongolian Buffet, NE corner of 12 Mile Rd. and Ryan Rd, all are welcome.
The Mongolian Buffet, rated as one of the top 100 Chinese restaurants in the US, is owned by Paul Hu, who also opened Tokyo Buffet in Southfield, after several years of successful operation of the Mongolian Buffet in Warren.
Inquiries please call (586) 558-9767 - Patricia Beer
