House of dolls: Some of the Hina dolls displayed during the Hinamatsuri
celebration at the residence of Japanese Ambassador to Brunei. Picture:
Saifulizam
Thursday, February 21, 2008
AS MANY as 50 women were enlightened about the Japanese celebration of
Hinamatsuri (Girls' Festival) at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan to
Brunei, His Excellency Hashimoto Itsuo yesterday.
Invited to the unique Japanese experience were members of the Women's Council, International Women's Club, embassies and diplomatic corps, and representatives from various women's groups in Brunei. They were treated to an Origami (paper folding) demonstration by Kaori Makino. The women struggled but tried their very best at starting with a plane square piece of paper and turning it into a frog which could be made to jump.
The highlight of the event was a Ikebana (flower arrangement) demonstration by Yoko Kono. An accomplished student from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Kamakura, she shared her mastery of the art obtained after about eight years of study and awed those present with various simple and artistic flower arrangements. She also had three members of the Brunei Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) UBD Chapter to assist her during the demonstration.
Kono said that there is a feeling of happiness and accomplishment with the art of Ikebana, especially when the end result is beautiful. She commented on how Brunei is a lovely country where everybody can see beautiful flowers all year round and floral material is readily available. She added that the results from implementing different forms and styles of Ikebana can be surprising.
Highlighting the importance of mastering the balance of shapes and space while doing Ikebana, Kono also stressed how important it is to not be wasteful. Along with beautifully arranged flowers in typical vases and bowls, she also displayed how water bottles and painted aluminium tins could also be used to serve the purpose of enhancing beauty in any space while recycling.
Khoo Yuh Fen and Faeza Md Idrus, both 22-year-olds were two members of the BJFA UBD Chapter present yesterday and have been attending Ikebana classes with Yoko Kono at her residence since December. The association approached Kono after being impressed with an Ikebana demonstration during the Japanese Language and Culture Week held last year.
Admitting to be an 'artsy-fartsy' person, Faeza said that she makes sketches of her creations before actually putting them together. "It needs a lot of patience," she said. "I had no idea that flower arrangement could be so complex".
The classes which take place every Wednesday for two hours have been attended by nine participants and they hope one day to be able to be proficient enough to teach others in the future.
Also called the 'Doll Festival', Hinamatsuri is celebrated every March 3 and is a day to pray for a young girl's growth and happiness. A month before then, most families display Hina dolls representing the Heian period court nobles set on ornamental platforms with a red carpet. Along with dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, courtesans, musicians, ministers and court servants, small pieces of furniture and meal dishes are also displayed. The impressive display set up at the ambassador's residence yesterday was estimated to be more than $13,000. According to a staff of the Japanese Embassy, Tomoko Shirai, an average complete Hina doll set would cost about $10,000. As part of the Japanese culture for centuries, girls would enjoy cheerful conversations and delicious food on the day. Because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar, the celebration is also called Momo no sekku or the Peach Flower Festival.The Brunei Times
Invited to the unique Japanese experience were members of the Women's Council, International Women's Club, embassies and diplomatic corps, and representatives from various women's groups in Brunei. They were treated to an Origami (paper folding) demonstration by Kaori Makino. The women struggled but tried their very best at starting with a plane square piece of paper and turning it into a frog which could be made to jump.
The highlight of the event was a Ikebana (flower arrangement) demonstration by Yoko Kono. An accomplished student from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Kamakura, she shared her mastery of the art obtained after about eight years of study and awed those present with various simple and artistic flower arrangements. She also had three members of the Brunei Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) UBD Chapter to assist her during the demonstration.
Kono said that there is a feeling of happiness and accomplishment with the art of Ikebana, especially when the end result is beautiful. She commented on how Brunei is a lovely country where everybody can see beautiful flowers all year round and floral material is readily available. She added that the results from implementing different forms and styles of Ikebana can be surprising.
Highlighting the importance of mastering the balance of shapes and space while doing Ikebana, Kono also stressed how important it is to not be wasteful. Along with beautifully arranged flowers in typical vases and bowls, she also displayed how water bottles and painted aluminium tins could also be used to serve the purpose of enhancing beauty in any space while recycling.
Khoo Yuh Fen and Faeza Md Idrus, both 22-year-olds were two members of the BJFA UBD Chapter present yesterday and have been attending Ikebana classes with Yoko Kono at her residence since December. The association approached Kono after being impressed with an Ikebana demonstration during the Japanese Language and Culture Week held last year.
Admitting to be an 'artsy-fartsy' person, Faeza said that she makes sketches of her creations before actually putting them together. "It needs a lot of patience," she said. "I had no idea that flower arrangement could be so complex".
The classes which take place every Wednesday for two hours have been attended by nine participants and they hope one day to be able to be proficient enough to teach others in the future.
Also called the 'Doll Festival', Hinamatsuri is celebrated every March 3 and is a day to pray for a young girl's growth and happiness. A month before then, most families display Hina dolls representing the Heian period court nobles set on ornamental platforms with a red carpet. Along with dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, courtesans, musicians, ministers and court servants, small pieces of furniture and meal dishes are also displayed. The impressive display set up at the ambassador's residence yesterday was estimated to be more than $13,000. According to a staff of the Japanese Embassy, Tomoko Shirai, an average complete Hina doll set would cost about $10,000. As part of the Japanese culture for centuries, girls would enjoy cheerful conversations and delicious food on the day. Because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar, the celebration is also called Momo no sekku or the Peach Flower Festival.The Brunei Times