Cultural Exhibits
Come see the beautiful Japanese exhibits in 2010, our Hina Doll collection, Kimono, Samurai armor and much more.
| All Day | Kimono, Japanese Hina Dolls, Boy’s Day Doll, and Samurai Armor | Krebs Room 107 (CC, 1st Floor) |
| All Day | Miniature Japanese Tearoom and Garden and Diorama Exhibits | Krebs Room 107 (CC, 1st Floor) |
| All Day | Wedding Kimono Display | Krebs Room 107 (CC, 1st Floor) |
| All Day | Torii Entry Gate (Depiction of the Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine) | Entry to Carlsen Center -- 1st Floor Lobby |
| All Day | Japanese Garden Display | Carlsen Center - Outside South Doorway |
| All Day | Ikebana Display | Carlsen Center - 1st Floor Lobby |
| All Day | Bonsai Display | Carlsen Center - 2nd Floor Lobby |
Bonsai Display
- Bonsai Display by the Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City
- Bonsai Advise by the Bonsai Society Members
Ikebana Display by the Sogetsu School of Greater Kansas City
Information Booths and Organizations
- Heart of America Japan-America Society
- Heartland JET Alumni Association
- KU Center for East Asian Studies
- KU Study Abroad
- Johnson County Community College International Studies
- College and University Language Programs
Kimono Exhibit
Kimono Display Featuring Wedding Kimonos The word Kimono simply means “things to wear” and is the traditional clothing of Japan. It is a long robe with wide sleeves worn as an outer garment. It is complemented by a sash, called an "Obi". The Obi is worn around the mid-section of the body.
The Kimono has had a long history in Japan and it has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of that period. Today, a Japanese young woman usually wear Kimono for a few special occasions like weddings, college graduation, the coming of age ceremony on her 19th birthday, New Year’s celebration, etc. For weddings, the complete bridal Kimono and Kimono apparel is usually rented. Today in Japan, Kimono are very rarely worn by older ladies as everyday clothing. Today, there are many different types and styles of Kimono worn by men, women, and children. The color, cut, fabric and decorations of a Kimono may vary according to sex, age and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year and the occasion for which the Kimono is worn.
Hina Doll Exhibit
Every year on March 3, Japan celebrates the Doll Festival (Japanese, Hina Matsuri, dedicated to girls). On this day every year, families set up a special multi-level step-altar on which to arrange the Emperor and Empress dolls, called "hina" in Japanese. They decorate the altar with boughs of peace blossoms and make offerings to hina dolls of freshly made rice cakes (mochi), either flavored with a wild herb or colored and cut into festival diamond shapes.In addition to the beautiful dolls, these altars display many beautiful and luxurious decorative accessories. Enjoy this beautiful and elaborate hina doll display. Carefully look at the exquisite clothing and the many accessories on each level of the display. It is rare to see such a complete collection of dolls such as those on display here.
Traditional Samurai Armor Display
The Samurai armor on display in our exhibit area this year is a replica of traditional Samurai armor worn many centuries ago in Japan. The manufacturer of the armor, Marutake Sangyo, is Japan’s, and the worlds, premier producer of fine Samurai Yoroi Armor. Each suit of armor manufactured by Marutake Sangyo is researched and modeled after examples found in museums, private collections, temples, shrines, hidden storehouses of Samurai clans and other historical sources. All pieces are painstakingly handcrafted by experienced artisans, using authentic methods and materials. For instance, one of their helmets can consist of up to 42 hand-spliced iron plates. Even a small header board, splint, or helmet lining will be completed by a skilled, veteran artisan. In fact, a single suit of armor may require the specialized skills of over 20 craftsmen. Furthermore, all of the company’s body armors and helmets are made solely of iron or genuine leather.
Miniature Japanese Tearoom and Garden Display
A miniature authentic Japanese Tearoom and Garden display will be available for viewing at the Festival this year. The exhibit was at one time displayed at the Toy and Miniature Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, on the southeast corner of the UMKC campus. The detail of the Tearoom and the Garden is outstanding. The display takes you to the heart of a traditional Tearoom like those found in gardens throughout Japan.
Diorama Display of Famous Japanese Sites
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites around the world that are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. UNESCO has recognized a number of these historical sites throughout Japan.
The Diorama on display at the Festival this year are depictions / models of some of these famous sites in Japan. One of the diorama is of the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine where one can see the massive Torii gate standing in the bay. Compare the diorama display with the Torii gate you walked through to enter the Festival which is a large scale depiction of the Torii gate at the Itsukushima Shrine.
