Event
New Year Exhibition – Selection of works by Raku Generations – Steeped in Poetry2020.1.5（Sun） - 2020.3.8（Sun）
Hours: 10：00 ~ 16：30（entry up to 30 minutes before closing.）
Closed: Monday (Open: if the Monday is a national holiday)
Admission:
Adults ¥900
University Students ¥700
High School Students ¥400
Under Juniour High School free admission
Venue
Raku Museumhttp://www.raku-yaki.or.jp/e/
Access:Aburanokôji-dôri Ichijô sagaru Kamigyo-ku Kyoto 602-0923
Tel: 075-414-0304
Hours: 10：00 ~ 16：30（entry up to 30 minutes before closing.）
Closed: Monday (Open: if the Monday is a national holiday)
Description
Mei, meaning titles or names, are indispensable to tea utensils. These titles derive from literary sources such as celebrated pieces of Japanese waka or haiku poetry.Reiwa, the current imperial era of Japan, consisting of two Chinese characters, respectively representing good fortune and harmony, has taken the source from a preface to 32 poems composed at a plum blossom viewing party in Volume 5 of the Manyōshū, the oldest existing anthology of Japanese waka poems.
During the Nara period around mid 8th century when the Manyōshū was compiled, Japan was referred to as Kotodama no Sakiwau Kuni, the land where the mysterious workings of language bring bliss, and where it was believed that words were powerful media to transmit happiness and peace to the country. Scattered within these poems were keywords that functioned as odes to the beauty and richness of nature, and as
prayers for the attainment of peace in life. Manyō, literally meaning thousands of leaves, is a constellation of words to be celebrated and passed down over future millennia. The anthology has had and continues to have a great impact on the development of Japan’s theatrical and literary legacy.
This exhibition features a selection of works by Raku generations that were given mei, titles, inspired by these poems. A Raku tea bowl is brought to life through firing but the naming breathes a soul into the bowl. We hope that the audience would be able to enjoy each Raku tea bowl steeped into poetry, inspired by the magical power of words.