VTM supported activities

2007

Ladies' choir Minamiashigara and members night
Open Members' night October 18, 2007. Start 19.30 hours in Theater 't Plein, Tongerloplein, Udenhout. With mix performances of the ladies' choir Minamiashigara nd the orchestra of the 'Nieuwe Koninklijke Harmonie Tilburg' (20.15-22.00 hours). Open for members and non-members. Check on the picture of the choi next to this frame for a picture report of this successful night. Read here the announcements in the local press.

T-parade
Members and Board of VTM play a (modest) mediating rol in the participation of representatives of the Japanese community (among others of the Japanese School of Tilburg) in Tilburg in the first and very successful T-parade, August 19, 2007, in the innercity of Tilburg.

2006

Lecture Frans Kense
January 17 a member's evening is held in the "Nature Museum" in Tilburg with, among other things, a lecture by member Frans Kense on the century old extensive and exclusive relationship of Dutch people with Japan. A relationship once visible on the island of Deshima in Nagasaki.

Exhibit and Matsuri in the public library Koningsplein

April 20t, 2005, a Matsuri (Japanese market) takes placie in the public library at the Koningsplein in central Tilburg. A Japanese delgation is also present. The market is open to the general public. One can enjoy Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) and origami, as well as Japanese sushi and a bonsai exhibit of Mr. Pijnenburg.

During the complete month of April (Monay April 3 until Saturday April 29) an exhibit with theme Japan is on display, including pictures of daily life in Japan by Harry op den Camp, origami work by Jeanne Haan and Vera van Lent, and Hina Matsuri dolls by Corrie van der Schee.

Hina Matsuri (Dolls Fest, March 3, Girls' Day)
Each year, on March 3, Girls' Day or Dolls Fest is celebrated in Japan. In the "proper room" of the house dolls are lifted from their casts, more or less similar to our Christmas festivities when Christmas decoration is brought back into the living room. The daughters in the home await in wonder when their mothers unpack and exhibit the old "hina set". Usually this happens two weeks before the third day of the third month. The Fest is also known as the “Mono no Sekku” or peach festival. The peach has long been seen as the symbol of Spring. It is “fruit of the off-spring” and symbolizes immortality and fertility It is used to symbolize women with the peach as a token of softness, courteous movements, and peacefulness (read obedience). The dolls exhibits today always consist of branches of peach blossom, a tribute to its early roots.

The festival is also known as "Sangatsu no Sekku" or 3th month festival. The 3rd day of the 3rd month is powerful in numerology. Three was a sacred number refering to heaven, humans, and earth, and harmony between them. Based on the month calendar, this day often was in April. It was the time to plant, accentuating earth and fertility of humankind. Most likey the peach blossom ritual is derived from China where the belief in peach blossom protecting against evil was found. Between the 9th and 12th century in Japan, one bathed in peach blossom enhanced water and drank peach wine on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. The doll sets are kept in wooden cases which are designed in such a way that they can also serve as steps for the display of what represented the emperial court. The cascade of steps is covered with clear red textile or made of Japanese lacquer in the colors black and gold. The arrangement of the dolls is prescribed in old tradition (see the frame to right of this one).

The daughter in the home plays host and invites her kimono-dressed girl friends to celebrate the dolls fest with her. They will sit in front of the dolls display, admore the often very old (inherited) dolls, sing a special doll song, eat puffed rice and rice cookies, and drink sweet childrens' rice wine. After this a small festive dinner may follow with sushi, soup and pink-collored fish symbolizing peach blossom. These days, this type of dolls fest is no longer celebrated in all homes in Japan. The total costs of the dolls and accompanying artefacts are high (between 1000 and 10000 Euro) and there is a lack of space to store all artefacts. yet, sometimes with just one modern doll or perhaps even an origami doll there is widespread attention to this fest. In the vicinity of the display sometimes an Ikebana arrangement of peach blossom branches and colza flower are placed.

Origami
Origami is Japanese for folding paper. Ori means folding and gami paper. The art of folding paper is developed in Japan and a very old tradition, almost equally old as paper itself. Originally origami was predominantly used in temples and monasteries. Rite-types foldings were made that were on display on special festive days.

In the present time of computers a world without paper is inconcievable. Paper is much used for printing, painting and drawing. Yet, with just using one's hands, small pieces of art can be made. This fascinated Jeanne and Vera who arranged an exhibit in special display cases in the public library Koningsplein in Tilburg . There are many ways of expression, especially with fine handmade Japanese paper. They use this paper not only to fold, but also to make carton for letter cases, drawers, book boxes, etc.

The Japanese handmade dolls are also dressed with handmade Japanese paper. When doing origami, picking the right type of material is crucially important and determining half of the result. Practicing with Japanese practice paper is a wise choice. While practicing one discovers the difficult elements which are then likely to be overcome when using the proper type of paper.

On the 20th April Matsuri Jeanne and Vera were present to introduce visitors to Origami. The children's corner of the library was also decorated in Japanese style by Barbara van Gaal of the library. It displayed children's drawings from Japan.

Photo exhibit by Harry op den Camp
Harry op en Camp traveled to Japan with his camera in the fall of 2005. His photos aim to grasp common life in this uncommon country. In the rush of the Japanese metropolises some inhabitant search, keep or rediscover calm in parks, the silence of a temple or the spaceousness of the bay. Harry made his choice: 13 photos in total.

Japanese Matsuri on Thursday April 20th, 2006, 17.00-19.00 hours
A Japanese markt with among other things a workshop Origami, information on Ikebana, calligraphy and songs and dances by pupils and teachers of the Japanese school of Tilburg.

2005

Video report
Member's evening on May 17 with a video report of the delegation visit. See the exchange page on this website.

Percussion
Saturday May 27 on of the most sucessful percussion groups, Yamato, performs in Theatres members of VTM get a € 5 discount on the entry price.

Language course
Introductory course Japanese language by Laura Saito (6 lessons)

Cooking course
Japanese cooking course in "De Rooi Pannen" (5 lessons)

Unveiling
Thursday September 29 on the 9th floor, the reception room of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Tilburg, of the City Hall, the painting "Old ships in Zierikzee" by Mr. Kenzo Tatsuuma (the founder and first president van Fuji Photo Film in Tilburg) is unveiled.

2004

Sword dancing
May 22 exhibit of sword dancing (Sakuya) by O-Getsu-Ryu in Theatre Tilburg where member of our association can go for 50% reduction. Preceeding this event VTM organizes a tea ceremony acorrding to Urasenke Traditie, for members of VTM and others interested.

Photo exhibit "The wonderful world of Korakuen"
From Friday June 11 to Tuesday June 15, 2004, there is a unique picture exhibit of Mr. Yukio Nanba showing the Korakuen garden in Okayama. The exhibit takes place in the public library at the "Koningsplein" in central Tilburg. The exhibition is supported by VTM and by contributions of many people and organizations, including Fuji Photo Film.

In the Asahi river, on an island, the Korakuen garden is build, spanning 22 ha.: a so-called castle garden or Daimyoi Teien. With the gardens in Mito and Kanazwa this garden is one of the most beautiful of Japan. The Korakuen was finished in 1700 and designed by the provincial lord (daimyo) Ikeda. It is the very first time that the pictures of this wonderful castle garden by Mr. Yukio Nanba are shown to publics outside Japan. It was his dream to do this. For decades Yukio Nanba has visited the gardens in different seasons, at day and night time, and with the help of appliances he build himself he gathered a absolute rare collection of pictures. A selection of panoramic pictures (sized 180x60 cm.) was shown in the library at the "Koningsplein".

Lecture Japanese garden design
June 14 members' evening with an interesting lecture by Mrs. Van der Eb from Leiden on Japanese garden design

Lecture on Titia Bergsma
Member's evening November 29 in the "Nature Museum" in Tilburg with a lecture, among other things, on Mrs. Titia Bergsma, the first Western woman in Japan, by the author of a book on her life, René P. Bersma.

2003

Japanese cooking course from the end of January to Mid June (10 lessons)
This is the second time a Japanese cooking course was organized. With professional support of a cook of the "ROC college" (secondary professional education) and a Japanese cook, knowledge is build on the Japanese cuisine. The preparation, the actual making, and, last but not least, the design of the plate is learned. After that, of course, there is the tasting of all these wonderful foods.

Each lesson a number of courses is prepared and the attributed time proves to be short again and again. The lessons is started with a discussion on the ingredients with their Japanese names and all recipes are explored. Many courses are worked through, among others the well-known sushi and sashimi and tempura.

Between 18.00 and 21.00 hours it is cooking time. At 22.30 uur the evening is closed. The costs per lessons are €10. For €10 one can buy a good cooking book to continue experimenting at home. During class copies are used in order to keep the book clean. The maximum number of 30 participants alloted is always met.

2002

Visual arts: Travel Agency Mimasu
VTM supports the artists´ initiative ´Travel Agency Mimasu´. Tilburg and Japanese artists stayed in the city and presented their view on Tilburg with works of art developed onsite. See also Japan in Tilburg page for written and visual information.

2000

400 year relationship Netherlands - Japan
In 1998 a "weighty" culture delegation to Minamiashigara draws up preparations for the festivities in Tilburg celebrating the 400 year relationship Netherlands - Japan in 2000. This year is certainly a highlight for VTM. The City of Tilburg formed a special taskforce headed by Mayor Stekelenburg in order to coordinate collaboration with the national Foundation '400 years Netherlands-Japan'.

Our association is represented in this taskforce with a few members. An absolute pinacle moment was the invitation of Prince Willem Alexander to visit the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on Queens' Day (April 30th) to celebrate his mothers' birthday in the presence of the Japanese Throne Succesor and his wife, and of the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Annemarie Jorritsma. Our Prince and Dutch Throne Succesor visits Japan in those days with a large trade delegation while celebrating 400 years of close relationships between the Netherlands and Japan.

The events in Tilburg start in 2000 with a festive week from the 9th until the 17th of September. Companies and organizations organize activities related to Japan. In the public library there is a picture exhibition "The Dutch Indies in the Second World War", one can surf free of charge to Japanese websites, and there is an exhibition of drawings of the Japanese Theatre of the Dutch citizen Joost van de Plas.

The Matsuri (Japanese market) takes place on Saturday, September 9th on and around "De Heuvel" (a central square in Tilburg) and with demonstrations of, among other things, calligraphy, origami, ikebana, sumo wrestling, kendo, and judo. A giant calligraphy is made by master-calligraphor Hiroyuki Matsumoto. The art gallery "Excellent Art Promotions" that week organized a sales exhibition of Japanese kimonos, books, artefacts, procelain, paintings and prints.

In the Netherlands' Textile Musuem, also in Tilburg, the exhibit "Kimonos of a nobre lady - Japan 1870-1945" is in place with 50 kimonos from private collections, a very rare private property, once warn by Sana Okubu, the wife of a very prestigious Samurai, and fabricated between 1870 en 1930.

The museum "Scryption" also joins with "Characters in the Picture / The ABC of Japan": an exhibit focused on Japanese writing in the Western world. Also private museum "De Pont", visual arts organization FAXX, music hall 013, the Tilburg Concert Hall, City Theatre and "Film Theatre Louis" all, one way or the other, pay tribute to Japan.

Highest step	The emperor and empress flanked by two lanterns that can be lit and in the middle 2 vases with pink and yellow flowers.
One step below	3 court ladies with two plates of snacks inbetween.
Next	5 musicians with drums and bamboo flute.
Lowest step	A consul and a war lord. The number of these gentlemen can differ and depends on abundance of the display. According to fixed tradition small tress are lined up on the sides of this steps: to the left a fruit bearing orange tree and to the right a flowering prunus tree. Sometimes miniature furtniture and crockery, a carriage and ox cart for transportation and a small barrel of sake are displayed.

Pictures 2003 Japanese cooking course



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