Museum of the Ancient Orient 2024 Autumn Special Exhibition “Eternal Persia – Techniques, Beauty and Tradition”
*Sunshine City Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 11, 2024
**
Museum of the Ancient Orient 2024 Autumn Special Exhibition “Eternal Persia – Techniques, Beauty and Tradition”
*Duration: September 21st (Sat) – November 24th (Sun)*
The Ancient Orient Museum (Director: Makiko Tsumura) located in Sunshine City (Ikebukuro, Tokyo) is *
As a special exhibition in the fall of 2024, “Eternal Persia – Techniques, Beauty and Tradition” will be held from September 21st (Saturday) to November 24th (Sunday)*.
Persia is the ancient name of Iran, located almost in the center of Western Asia. The Iranian plateau, which occupies most of the area, is rich in mineral resources and has been used since ancient times as a base for Mesopotamia and
In addition to supplying Egypt with resources, it has created advanced and unique technologies. This special exhibition will focus on the tradition and innovation of craftsmanship, and will introduce a wide range of crafts, including earthenware, metal products, ceramics, glass, coins, carpets, and cloth. In addition to exhibitions, we will hold related events such as lectures, workshops, and concerts where you can enjoy Persian music.
*You can download this release PDF from here →
https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-911-ad9b3fc2d6e6876c1ab08b12ae767955.pdf 2024 Autumn Special Exhibition Overview
Exhibition name: 2024 Autumn Special Exhibition “Eternal Persia – Techniques, Beauty, Tradition”
Date: September 21st (Sat) – November 24th (Sun)
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
*Until 20:00 on October 18th (Friday) and November 15th (Friday) (last entry 19:30)
Admission fee: General 900 yen, College and high school students 600 yen, Junior high and elementary school students 300 yen *Group discounts and disabled person discounts available.
Exhibition contents: Focusing on the traditions and innovations of Persian craftsmanship, the exhibition features a wide range of crafts such as earthenware, metal products, pottery, glass, coins, carpets, and cloth. Approximately 500 items will be on display.
Sponsored by: Museum of the Ancient Orient, Public Interest
Incorporated Foundation
Sponsored by: Toshima Ward, Toshima Ward Board of Education
Cooperation: ITC Aero Leasing Co., Ltd., Daiichi Gosei Co., Ltd., Chiyoda Trading Co., Ltd.
Special cooperation: Sunshine City Co., Ltd.
Website: https://aom-tokyo.com/exhibition/240921persia.html
* [Exhibition] An introduction to Persian calligraphy*
Period: October 1st (Tuesday) to November 24th (Sunday)
Iranian calligraphy is similar to Japanese calligraphy. Since I was a child, I have learned how to write neatly at school, and my
calligraphy has evolved into a calligraphy art that combines both high artistry and spirituality. The streamlined and sophisticated “art of calligraphy” attracts us beyond language and cultural barriers. We will introduce Persian calligraphy through the works of instructors and students of the Ancient Orient Museum Free School “Persian Calligraphy Class (Instructor: Hisako Tsunoda)”.
In the name of God, who is life and knowledge, there is a place beyond which human intellect can reach. From the prologue of “Osho” (Nastaalik font/layering method) Written by: Hisako Tsunoda
■Comments from the person in charge of “Eternal Persia -Technique, Beauty, Tradition-”
Makiko Tsumura, Director of the Ancient Orient Museum
Throughout Iran’s long history, distinct cultures have flourished in the prehistoric, dynastic, and Islamic periods. However, this time I will intentionally introduce them not in chronological order, but by material and technology. I hope you can get a sense of how various works of art were created, inheriting techniques from previous eras, or making completely new technological innovations.
Makiko Tsumura, Director of the Ancient Orient Museum
*Introducing the exhibition contents of “Eternal Persia -Technique, Beauty, Tradition-“*
●Earthenware
When it comes to earthenware, there are a variety of types of pottery, including painted pottery with geometric patterns drawn on the surface using pigments, and polished pottery, which is polished to a luster by carefully polishing the pottery surface. techniques have been developed. In addition, earthenware shaped like animals made in Northern Iran around 1000 B.C. not only amazes with its design sense, which clearly captures the characteristics of animals, but also soothes the soul with its unique expressions.
Painted earthenware bowl with hanging handle (Northern Iran) 4000 BC [Private collection in Tokyo]
Bull-shaped pottery (Northern Iran) 1000 BC [Private collection in Tokyo] ●Pottery
Pottery, whose surface is covered with a glassy glaze, not only has the functionality of making it difficult for water to pass through, but also allows you to enjoy the harmony of colors. The Iranian plateau is blessed with mineral resources such as lead, tin, and copper, which are used to make glazes, and beautiful colored vessels were made from around 1000 BC. During the Islamic period from the 7th century onward, pottery technology improved dramatically, partly due to the influence of Chinese ceramics brought over through East-West trade. This exhibition will feature approximately 50 pieces of pottery created using various techniques, categorized by technique.
Minai pottery (bottom part) (Iran) 12th-13th century [Tokyo private collection] * ●Metal products*
Iran, which is rich in mineral resources, was also an early adopter of metals, producing weapons and tools made of bronze and iron, as well as containers and accessories made of gold, silver, and bronze. In addition to swords and harnesses of various designs dating from around 2500 BC to around 1000 BC, we will also display gold jewelry from around 1000 BC to the Islamic period, as well as gold and silver coins.
Gold disc-shaped pendant, gold necklace (Iran), around 1000 BC [Tokyo private collection]
Bronze sword (Western Iran) around 2500 BC [Private collection in Tokyo] ●Glass products
Glass with its transparent shine was initially a luxury item used only by royalty and nobility, but mass production became possible after the introduction of the glassblowing technique that first appeared in Syria and Palestine around the 1st century BC. more widespread. The exhibit includes small glass perfume oil bottles from the 1st to 3rd centuries, Shosoin-type cut glass made during the Sassanid Persian period when glass production flourished, glass bowls and bottles from the early Islamic period, and more. We will exhibit glass beads and glass bangles used in jewelry.
Glass water bottle (Iran) 7th-11th century [Tokyo private collection] ●Textures
Iranian textiles have developed their own textile and dyeing techniques by absorbing and further developing textile techniques from surrounding countries such as Central Asia, China, India, Syria and Egypt. This exhibition will display materials from the 19th century onward, including brightly colored carpets and silk fabrics. Carpet (Iran – Central Asia) First half of the 20th century [Tokyo private collection]
Other related events
●Related lectures, etc.
■Orihiro Lecture
* 1. “Techniques found in Iranian earthenware, metal products, glass, pottery, stone carvings, etc.” *
Lecturers: Makiko Tsumura (Director of the Ancient Orient Museum), Hidetoshi Tsumoto (Director of Research at the Museum), Mao Senmoto (Chief Researcher at the Museum)
Date and time: September 29th (Sun) 13:30-15:30
Contents: The researcher in charge of this exhibition will introduce Iranian technology seen in the exhibited materials.
* 2. “The beautiful world of Persian calligraphy” *
Lecturer: Hisako Tsunoda (lecturer at Iranian Cultural Center, Ancient Orient Museum Free School “Persian Calligraphy Class”)
Date and time: October 14th (Monday/holiday) 13:00-14:30
Content: We will talk about Iranian art “Persian calligraphy”. We will talk about tools and typefaces in comparison to Japanese calligraphy, the traditional styles of “diagonal writing” and “overwriting” used in the exhibited works, and the ever-evolving modern Iranian calligraphy.
Participation fee: 500 yen each *Free for members of the Friends of the Ancient Orient Museum
Venue: Conference room in Sunshine City
Application method: Advance application system (only available face-to-face) In the name of God, who is life and wisdom, there is a place beyond which human wisdom can reach. From the prologue of “Osho” (Nastaalik font/superimposed writing method) Written by: Hisako Tsunoda ■Monthly! Orihaku Online Course (approximately 1 hour each course) * 1. “Isfahan, the city called ‘Half of the World’ – Early modern Persian urban society” *
Distribution period: October 16th (Wednesday) 15:00 distribution start to October 23rd (Wednesday) 15:00
Lecturer: Tomoko Morikawa (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo)
* 2. “The history of ancient Iran understood from earthenware” * Distribution period: Distribution starts from 15:00 on Wednesday, November 20th to 15:00 on Wednesday, November 27th
Lecturer: Takehiro Miki (Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Keio University)
Participation fee: 500 yen each time *Free for Tomokai members and annual passport holders
Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
■“Special Exhibition Gallery Talk” by researchers
Date and time: October 5th (Saturday), 12th (Saturday), 19th (Saturday), 26th (Saturday),
November 3rd (Sunday), 10th (Sunday), 17th (Sunday), 24th (Sunday) *Start time varies depending on the day
*Please check the museum’s official website and official SNS. Participation fee: Free *No application required, you can enjoy the event only by paying the admission fee.
Content: The researcher will explain the works displayed at the special exhibition and the highlights.
Venue: Inside the Ancient Orient Museum
“Special Exhibition Gallery Talk” by researchers
●Experience/workshop
■Persian calligraphy experience “Let’s write Khayyam’s poem” Date and time: October 14th (Monday/holiday) 14:45-16:15
Participation fee: 2,000 yen
Lecturer: Hisako Tsunoda (Iranian Cultural Center Lecturer)
Contents: Persian poet Khayyam is a famous person who wrote the shortest form of poetry like Japanese haiku. Let’s write the poem of Khayyam from the 12th century using the reed (bamboo) brush of Persian calligraphy.
Capacity: 30 people
Venue: Conference room in Sunshine City
Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
Calligraphy with reed (bamboo) brush
■Let’s weave Gabbeh straps, the basics of hand-woven carpets. Date and time: October 20th (Sun) 10:00-12:00
Participation fee: 2,000 yen
Lecturer: Keiko Nagano (hand-woven carpet class instructor)
Contents: Persian hand-woven carpets begin with “Gabbeh weaving”, and Gabbeh woven carpets are woven with the sensitivity of the weaver. Let’s weave a mini Gabbeh strap using the method of weaving Persian rugs.
Capacity: 12 people
Venue: Conference room in Sunshine City
Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
Gabbeh weaving experience
■Children’s Ori Expo Experience Course “The Secret of Textiles” Date and time: October 20th (Sunday) 14:00~ (about 2 hours)
Participation fee: 500 yen *If an accompanying guardian participates, the guardian also pays a fee.
Lecturer: Makiko Tsumura (Director of the Ancient Orient Museum) Tae Takami (Education Extension Officer at the museum)
Content: After observing the textiles on display, try making a small textile work using familiar tools and materials.
Capacity: 20 people
Venue: Conference room in Sunshine City
Target: Elementary and junior high school students and their guardians Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
■Exhibition commentary tour for visually impaired people
Date and time: October 26th (Saturday) 13:30 – approximately 1 hour November 1st (Friday) 10:30- 1 hour
Participation fee: Free *You can enjoy the event only by paying the admission fee.
Capacity: 5 people
Target audience: Visually impaired people of elementary school age and above, people with amblyopia
Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
Exhibition commentary tour image for visually impaired people ●Related events
■”Ghost of Persian Music – Listening to the Iranian Classical Instrument Santoor”
Date and time: November 10th (Sunday) 18:30~
Participation fee: 3,500 yen (separate admission fee required) Contents: A concert of the Santoor, a Persian percussion instrument that originated in BC and is still popular in Iran. When you strike the 72 metal strings with a plectrum, the mysterious tone that rises up fills the area. Why not take a trip back to ancient Persia while listening to live music?
Venue: Inside the Ancient Orient Museum
Performer: Kazune Iwasaki (Iranian-Persian classical music santoor player) Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
Kazuon Iwasaki (Irano-Persian classical music santoor player) ■“A journey around the world of home-cooked food: Let’s make Persian home-cooked food”
Date and time: September 23rd (Monday/holiday) 18:30-21:00
Participation fee: 3,500 yen *If children are also participating, the fee is 1,000 yen for children aged 6 to 12, and free for preschoolers. Content: A collaboration project with an event hosted by manga artist Hiroko Oda, who researches home cooking around the world. We listened to Mr. Azarnoosh, who is originally from Iran, about Iran, and together we enjoyed Fesenjan, a home-cooked Persian dish.
(pomegranate stew) and saffron rice.
Venue: Toshima Civic Center (1-20-10 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku) Lecturer: Hiroko Oda (manga artist who travels through food) Guest: Azarnoush Karimi (from Ardabil, Iran)
Application method: Advance application required *For details, please check the museum’s official website.
*You can download this release PDF from here →
https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-911-ad9b3fc2d6e6876c1ab08b12ae767955.pdf
*For details, please check the museum’s official website.
*Contents and schedule may change depending on the situation. *The image is for illustrative purposes only.
*All prices include tax.