Diplomats express 'wabi,' 'sabi' concepts via lens

TOKYO —

An exhibition of photographs taken by diplomats and members of their families in Japan will open Oct 27 in Tokyo, showcasing a variety of work imbued with the Japanese concepts of ‘‘wabi’’ and ‘‘sabi.’‘

About 90 works by 58 diplomats and family members, representing 37 countries plus the European Commission and Palestine, were selected from about 500 submissions that freely interpreted the theme ‘‘Colors of Japan’’ for the annual show, known as ‘‘Japan through Diplomats’ Eyes.’‘

This year’s show, which will move to Nagoya in November and Osaka in December, features a special theme, ‘‘Wabi-Sabi,’’ with ‘‘wabi’’ reflecting beauty found in simplicity and tranquility and ‘‘sabi’’ showing appreciation of transience and withered things. It is the first time that the event has carried a second theme, making it more challenging for participants to express their interpretation of Japan through the lens.

The Prince Takamado Memorial Prize for the 12th exhibition was awarded to Alejandro Fernandez Munoz, son of Costa Rica Ambassador to Japan Mario Fernandez Silva.

Fernandez Munoz’s piece captures a Buddhist monk holding a bowl of incense as he stands on a street leading to Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

‘‘This well-composed work makes viewers feel silence, fitting the theme ‘Wabi-Sabi’ the best,’’ Princess Hisako, the prince’s widow, was quoted as saying by Hiroshi Kuramochi, director of photographic agency G.I.P. Tokyo, who sits on the show’s eight-member screening committee.

The prize was created in 2003 to commemorate Prince Takamado, an avid photographer who died in 2002. The prince, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, served as honorary president of the annual exhibition from its inception in 1998.

The grand prize was given to Paulo Lopes Graca, a former counsellor at the Portuguese Embassy in Tokyo who currently serves in Seoul. His photo depicts amulets for deceased and sick people being purified in water at Mitaki Temple in Hiroshima.

Lopes Graca ‘‘beautifully adopted the Wabi-Sabi concept and explained the fragility of things through a photo where Japanese characters are erased by flowing water,’’ said Colombian Ambassador to Japan Patricia Cardenas, who heads the event’s executive committee.

The grand prize also went to Timothy Gellel, defense attache at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, whose piece captures colorful folded-paper cranes dedicated to the cenotaph in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, for female students recruited as nurses for Japanese soldiers during the battle of Okinawa in World War II.

‘‘This place (Okinawa) is filled with various feelings by visitors, but this close-up, powerful photo is full of color and joy, elements necessary for photography,’’ Kuramochi said.

He also said that during the screening process, he saw many submissions related to the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, who leads the screening panel, said that although many foreign residents and visitors to Japan hear of wabi and sabi, ‘‘the actual manifestation of what is wabi and what is sabi is difficult to be specific about, even for us native Japanese.’‘

‘‘Nevertheless, I could feel the spirit of ‘Wabi-Sabi’ interpreted in each respective way as I went through the photographs that challenged this ‘Wabi-Sabi’ category,’’ Machimura said.

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has made similar comments. ‘‘This exhibition is a good opportunity for the Japanese as well to rediscover a new attractiveness to the country. I have great expectations that this exhibit will further promote international exchange and deepen friendship and goodwill,’’ Okada wrote in a message to the upcoming exhibition.

The show will run through Nov 3 at the Roppongi Hills business and commercial complex in Tokyo. It will be held in Nagoya from Nov 21 to Dec 3 at the Central Park shopping mall, and in Osaka from Dec 16 to 24 at Osaka University of Arts’ Hotarumachi Campus in Fukushima Ward.

Further information about the exhibition is available in both Japanese and English at www.diplomatseyes.com.

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3 Comments

ben4short at 03:17 PM JST - 24th October

And two prizes omitted from the article:

The Grand Metaphysics Prize, awarded to J.S. Nada for his "piercing" photo of nothingness (actually, just a blank piece of print paper);

The Grand Contraction Prize, awarded to Mr. Wm. O. for his "stark, breathtaking" photo of Japanese horseradish.
Dewaashita at 06:41 AM JST - 25th October

May we see some of these photos, please?
WhatMeWorry at 09:35 AM JST - 25th October

I understand that JT rarely uses photos if at all. But maybe a link to where we could see photos for this and other stories would be greatly appreciated. C'mon, level-up!