Release Date: February 22, 2012

Japan Spring on the National Mall: First Time Three Major Exhibitions of Masterworks by Japanese Artists Have Been Hosted by Any City Outside Japan; Accompanied by Array of Programs at the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries

Washington, DC—Japan Spring celebrates the first time that a city outside Japan is hosting three major exhibitions of masterworks by distinguished Edo-period artists. On view in the nation's capital this spring are Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800), at the National Gallery of Art (March 30–April 29, 2012), and Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples (March 10–July 8, 2012) and Hokusai: 36 Views of Mount Fuji (March 24–June 17, 2012) at the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Each exhibition features not only a retrospective of a distinctive and important painter and designer of the 18th and 19th centuries, but also specific thematic ensembles of works—many never before seen outside Japan—created by Kazunobu, Hokusai, and Jakuchū over periods as long as a decade. All three exhibitions are free of charge and easily accessible on the National Mall between 7th and 12th streets.

This historic installation of exhibitions is timed to coincide with the centennial of Japan's gift of cherry trees to Washington—a gift that has created an annual flowering—ethereal and elegant—in this city for one hundred years. In honor of Japan Spring and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20–April 27, 2012), the National Gallery of Art and the Freer and Sackler Galleries plan an array of public programs for all ages, including concerts, films, performances, lectures, tours, gallery talks, and more. All programs are free of charge and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis at both locations.

Follow all Japan Spring events at both institutions on Twitter using hashtag #JapanSpringDC.

OPENING CELEBRATIONS

Freer|Sackler
Saturday, March 24, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Celebrate the arrival of Japan Spring at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in the Sackler Pavilion. Enjoy Edo-period music and cherry blossom flower arrangements. Bento boxes and tea are available for purchase from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Hokusai-inspired family activity and a demonstration of the dramatic art of Kabuki begin at 2:00 p.m. Japanese cuisine is provided by Kushi. (Additional details follow.)

National Gallery of Art
Opening Weekend
Friday, March 30, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

On the opening day of Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800), the Gallery presents an all-day conference featuring illustrated lectures by noted scholars and conservators of Japanese art. The celebration continues on Saturday with the children's anime film My Neighbor Totoro and an outdoor performance of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming by Taikoza. On Sunday, the Anraku-Miyata Duo performs a special family-friendly program at 11:30 a.m., as well as an evening concert at 6:30 p.m. (Additional details follow.)

LECTURES/CONFERENCES/SLIDE OVERVIEWS

Public Conference
The Art of Itō Jakuchū
Friday, March 30, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium
Illustrated lectures by noted scholars and conservators of Japanese art on the occasion of the exhibition Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800), co-organized by the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
Conference Program (PDF 545k).

Slide Overview
Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū
April 5, 6, noon
April 18, 12, 13, 18, 22, 26, 27, 1:00 p.m.
National Gallery of Art, West Building Lecture Hall
Adam Davies, Gallery Lecturer
60 mins.

Lecture
Itō Jakuchū's Colorful Realm: Juxtaposition, Naturalism, and Ritual
Sunday, April 29, 2:00 p.m.
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium
Yukio Lippit, professor of Japanese art, Harvard University
Book signing of Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū follows.

TOURS

Two Artists, Two Series, One Modern Society
Daily at noon and 2:00 p.m.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
March 30–June 17 (except Wednesdays and federal holidays)

Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples
Daily at noon and 2:00 p.m.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
June 17–July 8

Few artists better captured the energy and turmoil present in 19th-century Japanese society than did Katsushika Hokusai and Kano Kazunobu, both residents of the great metropolis of Edo (now Tokyo). Explore in two concurrent exhibitions—Hokusai: 36 Views of Mount Fuji and Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples—how these near-contemporaries observed the clash and complementarity of tradition and radical change in a culture thrust into modernity.

PERFORMANCES

The Art of Kabuki: Bando Kotoji
Saturday, March 24, 2:00 p.m.
Freer Gallery of Art, Meyer Auditorium
Traditional dance master Bando Kotoji demonstrates scenes from famous Kabuki plays, discussing the costumes, makeup, postures, and movements with live music for shamisen, chanter, and percussion. Select audience members can receive onstage instruction. Organized by the Japan Society, with funding from the Japan Foundation.

National Gallery of Art Cherry Blossom Music Festival

Between March 31 and April 29, 2012, the National Gallery of Art will present ten concerts featuring Japanese performers and composers in honor of the exhibition Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800).

Taikoza
Saturday, March 31, 4:00 p.m.
West Building, Mall Entrance
Taikoza was formed in New York City by members of Ondekoza, a performance group that began the renaissance of Taiko in Japan during the 1960s.

Anraku-Miyata Duo
Sunday, April 1, 6:30 p.m.
Mariko Anraku, principal harpist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Mayumi Miyata, shō player
West Building, West Garden Court
Music to include Utsuroi for harp and shō by Hosokawa
Special family-friendly performance at 11:30 a.m., West Garden Court

Ayano Ninomiya, violinist
Wednesday, April 4, 12:10 p.m.
West Building, West Building Lecture Hall
Winner of Astral Artistic Services' 2003 National Auditions
Music by Takemitsu and other composers

Jack String Quartet
Wednesday, April 11, 12:10 p.m.
East Building Auditorium
Blossoming by Hosokawa and String Quartet by Ives

Yoko Owada, flutist
Michael Langlois, pianist
Chris DeChiara and Eric Plewinski, percussionists
Friday, April 13, 12:10 p.m.
West Building, West Building Lecture Hall
"A Japanese Musical Meditation"
Music by Takemitsu and other Japanese composers for flute, piano, and percussion
This concert is made possible by Toshiba.

Billy Fox and the Kitsune Ensemble
Sunday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.
East Building Auditorium
Music to include Fox's Anagowa, a piece for Japanese flute and percussion
Special family-friendly performance at 11:30 a.m., East Building Auditorium

Claire Huangci, pianist
Friday, April 20, 12:10 p.m.
West Building, West Building Lecture Hall
Winner of the grand prize at the 1999 World Piano Competition and the 2006 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition
Music by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and other composers

National Gallery Orchestra
Chosei Komatsu, guest conductor
Charles Wetherbee, violinist
Sunday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
West Building, West Garden Court
Music by Fujiwara, Hisaishi, Noadira, and other composers

Piano Recital: Yoshikazu Nagai and Robert Henry
Wednesday, April 25, 12:10 p.m.
West Building, West Building Lecture Hall
Yoshikazu Nagai and Robert Henry shared first prize at the Washington International Piano Competition in 2002.
Music by Haydn, Scarlatti, Schubert, and other composers

Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo with Yu Kosuge, pianist
Thierry Fischer, conductor
Sunday, April 29, 6:30 p.m.
West Building, West Garden Court
Music by Mozart and Beethoven
This concert is made possible in part by Nippon Steel Corporation.

FILM EVENTS

Japanese Divas
April 6–May 5
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium
This film series showcases the subtly expressive performances of the extraordinary lead actresses from the golden age of Japanese cinema. From the early 1930s through the 1960s, players such as Kinuyo Tanaka (1909–1977), Isuzu Yamada (b. 1917), Machiko Kyo (b. 1924), Setsuko Hara (b. 1920), and Hideko Takamine (1924–2010) captivated viewers all over the world with their compelling range and delicate beauty.

Screenings include:

Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) followed by Sisters of the Gion (1936)
Friday, April 6, 2:30 p.m.

Street of Shame (1956)
Saturday, April 7, 2:00 p.m.

Tokyo Story (1953)
Saturday, April 7, 4:00 p.m.

Rashomon (1950)
Sunday, April 8, 4:30 p.m.

Sansho the Bailiff (1954)
Sunday, April 15, 4:00 p.m.

Life of Oharu (1952)
Friday, April 20, 2:30 p.m.

Late Spring (1949)
Saturday, April 21, 2:30 p.m.

Early Summer (1951)
Saturday, April 28, 2:30 p.m.

Tokyo Twilight (1957)
Sunday, April 29, 4:30 p.m.

Throne of Blood (1957)
Friday, May 4, 2:00 p.m.

Flowing (1956)
Saturday, May 5, 1:00 p.m.

Equinox Flower (1958)
Saturday, May 5, 3:30 p.m.

Freer|Sackler Tenth Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon: 100% Miyazaki!

Sunday, April 15
Freer Gallery of Art, Meyer Auditorium
This year's marathon, cosponsored by Otakorp, Inc., is part of Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, and the Masters of Studio Ghibli, presented in celebration of the centennial of the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the AFI Silver Theatre, the Freer and Sackler, the National Gallery of Art, and the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan. (Also see the National Gallery of Art's family-friendly programs).

Screenings include:

Ponyo
11:00 a.m.
A young boy meets Ponyo—part fish, part human—who escaped from an evil scientist's underwater lair. Ponyo tries to use magic to become human, but larger forces threaten to upset the balance of nature. (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008, 101 mins., English)

Porco Rosso
1:30 p.m.
A swashbuckling aviator—who happens to be a pig—flies his bright red plane to battle pirates and other evildoers in this eccentric adventure, set in 1920s Italy and filled with aerial derring-do. (Hayao Miyazaki, 1992, 94 mins., English)

Princess Mononoke
4:00 p.m.
Humans, gods, and demons battle over the fate of an unspoiled forest in this epic fable on ecology and spirituality, which set new benchmarks for anime and catapulted Miyazaki to international renown. (Hayao Miyazaki, 1997, 134 mins., Japanese with English subtitles)

Spirited Away
7:00 p.m.
A young girl stumbles into a mysterious spirit world populated by creatures from the depths of Japanese mythology. This Oscar winner remains the highest-grossing film in Japan's history. (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001, 125 mins., Japanese with English subtitles)

Hanezu
Sunday, April 22, 4:30 p.m.
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium
A delicate triangular love story set in historic Asuka, Naomi Kawase's Hanezu (2011) underscores the relationship between humans and their habitat, with meditative views of the natural world.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

Freer|Sackler ImaginAsia Family Programs

Tatebanko: Japanese Paper Dioramas
Saturdays, March 24 and 31, 2:00 p.m.
Sundays, March 25 and April 1, 2:00 p.m.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Sublevel 2
Ages 8–14
Use an activity guide to explore the exhibition 36 Views of Mount Fuji. In the classroom, create a layered miniature diorama (tatebanko) using images of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai's landscape prints to explore his use of perspective.

Anime Artists Encounter Arhats
Saturday, April 14, 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 15, 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Sublevel 2
Ages 8–14
Use a manga-style activity book to explore the exhibition Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples. Then return to the classroom for instruction in anime and manga drawing from an anime artist.

Before Dawn
Saturdays, April 21 and 28, 2:00 p.m.
Sundays, April 22 and 29, 2:00 p.m.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Sublevel 2
Ages 8–14
Create your own printing block using Styrofoam. Then use two traditional Japanese blue pigments and Prussian blue, which was introduced in the Edo period (1615–1868), to print landscapes that convey the soft light of early dawn, just as Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai did in his series 36 Views of Mount Fuji.

National Gallery of Art Film Program for Children and Teens

Anime Film: My Neighbor Totoro
Saturdays, March 31 and April 7, 10:30 a.m.
East Building Auditorium
Ages 6 and up
Written and directed by renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro is an anime film that follows two young girls and their interactions with friendly wood spirits. When Satsuke and her younger sister Mei move to a new home in the country to be near their mother who is recuperating in a local hospital, the sisters soon discover the magical world of forest spirits and meet the large, but gentle Totoro. Part of Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, and the Masters of Studio Ghibli, presented with the AFI Silver Theatre, the Freer and Sackler, the National Gallery of Art, and the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.
(Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 1988, 86 mins., English)

Anime Film: Summer Wars
Saturdays, April 21 and 28, 11:30 a.m.
East Building Auditorium
Ages 12 and up
This Japanese animated science-fiction romance highlights the challenges of living in real and virtual worlds. When Kenji, a high school math student, is invited by his crush and fellow student Natsuki to take a summer job in her hometown of Nagano, he is eager to go. As Natsuki's family plans her great-grandmother's 90th birthday celebration, Kenji learns that his "summer job" is to pretend to be Natsuki's fiancé. (Mamoru Hosoda, Japan, 2009, 114 mins., English)

The Thousand Year Fire
Sundays, April 22 and 29, 11:30 a.m.
East Building Auditorium
Ages 9 and up
Mourning the loss of his parents, eleven-year-old Satoshi moves from Tokyo to a small seaside town to live with his grandparents. Inspired by his new surroundings, he decides to participate in Hiwatashi, a ritual swim in the open sea. Those who accomplish the feat become members of the chosen circle permitted to watch over the holy fire of Chitosebi, which has burned perpetually for a thousand years. This touching live-action film captures stunning views of the Japanese landscape. (Naoki Segi, Japan, 2004, 89 mins., Japanese with English subtitles)

Haiku Inspired by Itō Jakuchū's Colorful Realm of Living Beings
West Building
In celebration of National Poetry Month in April, visitors are invited to create original haiku inspired by the exhibition Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800). A family activity sheet, with tips for writing haiku, will be available at the exhibition entrance and on the National Gallery's website. Visitors may share their haiku with others by submitting them for publication online at www.nga.gov/feature/jakuchu.

GALLERY SHOPS

National Gallery of Art

The Gallery Shops are featuring a variety of items inspired by the exhibition Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Items depicting works of art in the exhibition include a selection of tasseled silk fans and printed rayon furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths), assorted woven coin purses, an array of polypropylene folders in two sizes, paper bookmarks, and five postcard sets, each containing six images, which together illustrate the entire 30-scroll set of bird-and-flower paintings. Offerings inspired by cherry blossoms include luxurious silk ties and scarves, tote bags, postcards, a charming novelty pen, an elegant hand-painted glass ornament, a selection of Japanese ceramics, and a collectible spoon.

Also available is an assortment of books and music for all ages, including Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a stunning, richly illustrated record of the nation's biggest springtime festival, published in honor of the festival's centennial. Produced by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the music CD Sakura: A Musical Celebration of Cherry Blossoms will delight listeners with traditional Japanese folk songs, classical instruments, and live ensemble performances. Children may enjoy the entertaining book Eliza's Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America, which tells the story of Eliza Scidmore, who was instrumental in arranging the initial planting of cherry blossom trees in Washington in 1912.

Meet the Author: Ann McClellan
Friday, March 23, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
West Building, West Shop
Author Ann McClellan signs copies of her books—Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the new anniversary edition of The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration.

Freer|Sackler

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery shop offers a variety of Japanese-inspired products, including vintage kimonos, Haori jackets, bags, accessories, books, and ceramics, as well as an assortment of items highlighting the exhibition Hokusai: 36 Views of Mount Fuji.

The shop also features products inspired by the cherry blossoms found in the museum's collection, which highlight the cultural history behind the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Products include silk scarves, a traditional cherry blossom design Yukata and Haori jacket, delicate hand-made glass ornaments, cherry blossom jewelry sets, and one-of-a-kind bags, scarves, and ties created using pieces of vintage Japanese kimonos.

General Information

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are at all times free to the public. They are located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, and are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. For information call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176, or visit the Gallery's website at www.nga.gov. Follow the Gallery on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalGalleryofArt and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ngadc.

Visitors will be asked to present all carried items for inspection upon entering. Checkrooms are free of charge and located at each entrance. Luggage and other oversized bags must be presented at the 4th Street entrances to the East or West Building to permit x-ray screening and must be deposited in the checkrooms at those entrances. For the safety of visitors and the works of art, nothing may be carried into the Gallery on a visitor's back. Any bag or other items that cannot be carried reasonably and safely in some other manner must be left in the checkrooms. Items larger than 17 by 26 inches cannot be accepted by the Gallery or its checkrooms.

Freer and Sackler Galleries

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue SW, and the adjacent Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW, are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except December 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries and their exhibitions, programs and other events, the public may visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Follow the Galleries at Facebook.com/FreerSackler and Twitter.com/FreerSackler.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Centennial Celebration

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation's greatest springtime celebration. The 2012 Festival, March 20 – April 27, includes five spectacular weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. The 2012 Festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.