Chapter XV: Some things Never Change

For this small chapter, I'd like to return to an idea that I had earlier in this blog: What is the same about Japan, and what is different?

First, when looking at Genji, it is clear the image of this novel has seen various permutations through the years. At times it has been viewed as classic literature, other times it has simply been a soap opera, or perhaps historical record. The point is, like Genji, some things change, while some things remain the same.

I came to this country for the first time in 1989, when I was still a teenager. Back then, everything seemed so modern, so fast and efficient. In fact, everything seemed very "21st Century."

Now, I'm back, and it is the 21st Century. As I walk the streets and talk to the people, I am amazed by some of the things that have changed, and some of the things that have remained the same. For example, despite all modern digital technology, Japan still has a old school "photo booth" in all of the train stations. People take pictures here for ID cards, passports, etc. Seeing one of these reminded me of how much fun we used to have taking pictures in these booths. Of course, I had to do it again, just for the sake of feeling young again.

Technology, it seems, is unpredictable in Japan. On one hand, it would seem that they would be the most advanced in everything; on this trip, however, I have learned that their cell phone technology is far behind ours (having just purchased my own iPhone back in the States.) Japanese digital, 3D, animated movies are also behind America. In fact, only this summer Japan has produced its first main stream, full length digital film (See Japan Times article below), compared, of course, to Pixar, which has been producing digital films now for well over a decade. I'm sure this has something to do with Miyazaki Hayao's (the Japanese 'Walt Disney') insistence on not using the medium. (He continues to draw everything by hand, including the latest movie to be shown in the U.S. "Ponyo.")

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20090807a1.html

Still, I think it's funny how some things change, and how some things never do!

Chapter XIV: IIlustrations of Genji @ Gotoh

Today I had the privilege of visiting the beautiful Gotoh museum in Tokyo. A private museum, the Gotoh is only open a few days a week -- and then, only for a few hours -- so I was lucky to get in. Although the museum has a large holding of Genji materials, unfortunately I missed the anniversary show that the museum had last year. Nonetheless, a few of the pieces were on display, and I was amazed by the pictures.

First, each of the pieces (at least in this collection) were only slightly larger than a large postage stamp. (!) We examined them in their glass cases through magnifying glasses, which is very strange, considering that many believed these minature masterpieces were created hundreds of years before this kind of technology was introduced to Japan. Another thing I found interesting was the timing of the illustrations: the holdings at Gotoh, which come from three different schools of art, represent the 1100s, 1300s and 1500s, respectively. Obviously, these come some time after Genji was originally written; and only one of the pictures I observed had any kind of writing. In other words, the original text of Genji probably did not contain any illustrations, and conversely many of the later illustrated versions did not contain the text.

I also found it interesting to learn that Genji was written not as a book, but as a scroll. In the novel itself, many of the characters communicate to one another by writing letters on scrolls, so it is not hard to think that is how Murasaki originally penned her story. Ladies in the Heian court often wrote stories for one another on these scrolls, which they would then put in the square, wooden boxes they used as pillows (see picture above). For this reason, Genji and other stories are known as "pillow books."

Maybe this is why Genji is so full of romance and intrigue. After all, we all enjoy a good story before going to sleep, don't we?

YOUR TASK:

1) Visit a local museum, either for art, nature or history. Record what you did and saw. How were the items displayed? Why do you think they were displayed that way?