Asian Con Portfolio 2016-17

A profile of Asian Conversation from 2016-17.

[tsumikashares]

あの夜からキミに恋してた・Irresistible Mistakes

Season 1

槙雪久・Yukihisa Maki

大人の初めて編・Like Never Before

Voltage Inc

Why do you have to be so wonderful?

[bluebenz2005]

@redpantychan

[redpantychan]

Nggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

[asianconportfolio]

Trip abroad in China, Japan, and South Korea photo set

[asianconportfolio]

Trip abroad in China, Japan, and South Korea photo set

Left Minnesota on January 3rd to San Francisco. 

[asianconportfolio]

A little shrine in Harajuku

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[asianconportfolio]

Toshogu Shrine

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[asianconportfolio]

Meiji Jingu

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[asianconportfolio]

Jade Buddha Temple

[asianconportfolio]

Jing'an Temple

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[asianconportfolio]

Long Hua Temple in Shanghai

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[asianconportfolio]

Figure 1. A tall, red sign with the words “Fire Hydrant” in English in smaller print than the kanji with a business sign underneath completely in Japanese and a company logo with a sign pointing to the direction of the business.

Figure 2. This sign is on the pavement with a lit cigarette crossed out, reminding people to not smoke in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

Figure 3. Ikebukuro’s mascot En-chan at one of Ikebukuro Station’s exit with a family of owls made from shrubs in the background.

[asianconportfolio]

Piece chosen to reflect on: Japanese tea house/Japanese tea ceremony

I chose the Japanese tea ceremony because there was a small presentation with two men explaining how some of the items displayed were used for the traditional ceremony. I’ve heard a lot about the tea ceremony but it was very interesting to learn face-to-face about the usage of some items. They even explained how lacquer was made from tree sap but it was very toxic. Despite the dangers, artists would make over a thousand layers of lacquer for a teacup and how if the teacup was dropped in water, the lacquer wouldn’t dissolve! 

I was also very excited to smell the various types of tea used for the ceremony and to learn that the tea master would meticulously plan out every detail according to the season, weather, and theme they wanted to focus on. They also introduced something called “wabi-sabi” and gave me the name of the author of a book about the concept. From my understanding of what they explained, wabi-sabi is a Japanese appreciation of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. 

The tea house itself was small and they explained it was to make the visitors more humble and for them to enjoy the simplicity. After asking a few questions, I also learned that for a majority of Japan’s history, tea masters were strictly one gender. In modern times, however, that has changed. After this experience, I’m even more excited to travel to Japan and learn about its traditional culture! Although the class won’t be going to a traditional tea ceremony, I would like to experience it one day to see how it’s like.

source for picture: http://collections.artsmia.org/art/59614/teahouse-yasuimoku-komuten-company-ltd

[inspiring-culture-quotes]

Book learning gives you the power to think. However the world might change, if you have the power to think, you’ll survive somehow.

Seibei Igushi - Twilight Samurai (via inspiring-culture-quotes)

[asianconportfolio]

Bibimbap i had at Hoban for the first time. It was filled with so many delicious ingredients! 

[asianconportfolio]

Wearing yukata with friends during Asia Week. The patterns were colorful and if I had the chance, I’d love to wear one again! 

[asianconportfolio]

A yukata made from paper during the Asia Week celebration last spring! It was the first time I got to try the sugar candy konpeito and wear a yukata!