Kurashiki Byobu Festival - An old yet new festival that allows you to feel the townscape and atmosphere of the Bikan Historical Area up close (2018).

Interview with Professor Tomoki Moriyama about the Red Carp Folding Screen

I was able to speak with Professor Moriyama from the Faculty of Arts at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, the creator of the folding screen "Red Carp Folding Screen," which was displayed at Hashimaya Kimono Store, at Yume Space Hashimaya.

Professor Moriyama's research theme is the definition study of the term "Japanese painting" based on materials, tools, techniques, and subjects used in classical painting.

Japanese Painting that Makes Time Its Ally

Why is Japanese painting your research theme?

Moriyama

I want to know specifically what kind of painting is named after the country (Japan).

For example, drawing tools like pencils and pens can be easily used by anyone right away.

However, Japanese painting brushes are not easy to use well without training. The same goes for calligraphy.

That makes sense when you think about it.

Moriyama

In the West, when drawing a line, you draw a straight line smoothly.

But in classical Japanese painting, it is often described as "continuing to dot" or "drawing lines as if placing ink."

Do you know why?

...I wonder why.

Moriyama

You place the paint along the bumps of the washi (Japanese paper) and connect the "dots" to draw lines.

The Red Carp Folding Screen is painted in the same way.

It takes time to finish the painting.

Moriyama

Nowadays, we write emails on our smartphones and send them, right?
But not long ago, we used to send love letters directly written with a pen or brush on paper.

I think love letters carry the sentiment of "I spent a lot of finite time writing this for you."

Japanese painting is similar in that one can find interest in accumulating time.

Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts Established in the Traditional City of Kurashiki

Why did you have the students experience painting folding screens?

Moriyama

As already introduced, the "Kurashiki Folding Screen Festival" was planned to bring more vibrancy to the city of Kurashiki.

▼ By actively participating in local events and festivals where the university is located, the following can be expected:

• Feeling closer to the community
• Developing affection for it

▼ Additionally, as Kurashiki City, which invited the university, the expectations from the above are as follows:

• Young people will live in the area
• A good image of living in the city
• Expectations for future residency

Students studying art create folding screens, which are the central theme of the festival.
Participating by painting is indeed the best way for a university to be together with the community, utilizing their expertise.

"Participating in the folding screen festival by painting a folding screen."

This was carried out as a comprehensive project class at the university, called the "Kurashiki Folding Screen Project."

How to Secure Folding Screens for Participation in the Folding Screen Festival?

Moriyama

Folding screens are very expensive to create anew.

Initially, we considered searching for old folding screens, obtaining them, and repairing them to paint. However, we could not gather any.

So, in the last academic year (2017), we received cooperation from two groups we were fortunate to connect with.

• Members of the Okayama Prefecture Interior Decoration Association involved in the project "Art Now Okayama 2017: Mounting"
• Shirakami Paper Store, the only mounting materials store in Okayama Prefecture, Shirakami Paper Store

With everyone's cooperation, we decided to start by creating new folding screens.

As a result, it became a very valuable opportunity as follows:

• Experiencing traditional materials
• Experiencing traditional techniques
• Learning about folding screens and creating them

You Want to Paint on a Folding Screen!!!

Moriyama

As someone who paints, I think the desire to "want to paint on a folding screen" is something everyone has, right?

I believe the students wanted to freely paint on a folding screen, each one individually.
However, many ended up working in groups.

In fact, there were many comments expressing the desire to "have painted alone."
Some also mentioned that they would like to paint again if given the chance.

• The tradition of folding screens
• Practical experience of the traditional style of folding screens

Such opportunities are rare.

I believe that the desire to try painting, if given the opportunity, is not limited to students.

After the Interview

In today's life, there are not many opportunities to see or touch folding screens.
And it is unlikely that one would have the chance to create a folding screen.

I realized that the students of Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts had a very valuable experience.

I hope they will participate not only in the 2018 Folding Screen Festival but also in 2019 and beyond every year.

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