Japanese Tradition at Ukrainian Museum

The Japanese are described as one of the most enigmatic nations and with reason. One trait of their mentality is an ability to see grandeur in something perfectly ordinary or find answers to questions of the universe in a filed flower or stone by the side of the road. They are a sage nation, indeed. Outwardly simple, Japanese handicrafts secret profound inner meaning.

Every country has its traditional toys, the style and character of which depends on the locality. Kokeshi is a typical Japanese doll made of wood. It is simple, consisting only of the head and body, with primitive ornamentation. Unlike the European dolls showing off their pretty faces and clothes, the kokeshi has all of it in its heart, Shusuke Watanabe, councilor of the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, said at the ceremony of opening a display at the Taras Shevchenko National Museum. It consists of seventy such dolls brought from various parts of Japan, with characteristically distinct carving and decorating techniques.]

Apart from kokeshi, the display includes the temari balls, a craft dating back over a thousand years, handed down through the generations. The color needlework pattern of each is extremely rich and done with a jeweler’s precision, traditionally regarded as an ethical perfection with a deep philosophical meaning. This is what makes the temari especially attractive.

Serhiy Halchenko, manager of the Shevchenko Museum, says that the Ukrainian display of toys held this January and the current Japanese exhibit are a new landmark in the museum’s history. Its exposition remained unchanged for decades on end, although every exhibition must not be just a “laid up” illustration of a certain epoch, but also a discovery for every visitor.

Mr. Shusuke Watanabe says there is much in common between Japan and Ukraine; cultural traditions in both countries are roughly of the same age and have their own special visage; both nations hold their cultural heritage sacred. Regrettably, he adds, there is still very little people in both countries know about each other, so exhibits such as this one are an excellent opportunity to strengthen Japanese-Ukrainian ties. The exhibit will close May 25.