Newsletter No. 641
News-Analysis
June 7, 2007

 

The following newsletter has been contributed by our newest member, M. Aynul Islam (Shingetsu Member No. 152). He is based at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies in Dhaka.

JAPANESE TRADE AND CULTURAL EVENTS IN DHAKA

The Japan Trade Fair 2007 in Dhaka

The “Japan Trade Fair 2007” in Dhaka will be held from 29 November-1 December, 2007, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, Dhaka. The programme will be organized by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI) with support from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.

Contact details: JBCCI, Sharif Plaza (3rd Floor), 39 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka.
Email: jbcci@citech-bd.com

Ikebana Demonstration on the Occasion of the 35th Anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh Relations

A two-day long “Ikebana Demonstration and Seminar 2007” was held during 4-5 June 2007 at the National Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The programme was organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, in cooperation with the Asia Bunka Kaikan Dosokai Flower Club, the JICA Alumni Association, and the Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh. It was inaugurated by the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Masayuki Inoue, on 4 June at the Shaheed Zia Auditorium. Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh was the chief guest at the event. Two renowned Ikenobo teachers from Japan -- Ishiwata Masafumi and Sasayama Yasufumi have conducted a demonstration on different arrangements in Ikenobo style of Ikebana. The programme was arranged on the occasion of 35th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Japan and Bangladesh.

While attending, the Japanese ambassador said, “Ikebana has flourished in Japan in the last 500 years... and evolved into a global phenomenon. While Western styles of flower arrangement focus primarily on the decorative aspect, the Japanese try to denote the harmony in nature... We believe cultural bonds have the most profound impact among all kinds of ties between nations. A meaningful relationship can only materialise when both parties understand and respect each other's traditions and culture. I hope this demonstration and seminar will encourage flora enthusiasts in Bangladesh...” The Director-General of National Museum of Bangladesh Samar Chandra Paul said, “wild flowers bloom and wither in the bushes and by the sidewalks in our country. Hopefully, this growing interest in Ikebana will inspire Bangladeshis to create beautiful designs with our local flowers.”

The demonstration highlighted the "Ikenobo" style of Ikebana. Ikenobo is the oldest school of Ikebana and the tradition developed in Kyoto as a Buddhist floral offering. Using flowers and vases bought in Dhaka, the two masters demonstrated three arrangements in Ikenobo style. In the "Rikka" arrangement, basic parts are arranged with several contrasting but complementary materials, delineating the beauty of a landscape. "Shoka," another arrangement, comprises three main branches -- "shin," "soe," and "tai" -- forming a unity that symbolises life's perpetual change and regeneration. The "free style" is the most recent to emerge from the Ikenobo way of Ikebana. As a more personal expression, it is suited to contemporary environments and tastes.

A Bangladeshi Ikebana Exhibition

A featured floral arrangement in the Ikebana style by Jonaky Mahmud, a student of Asia Bunka Kaikan Dosokai School, Dhaka, was held on 3 May at the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU) Conference Hall. The event was organised by the National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh (NAUCB).

Malama Meleisea, the UNESCO Country Representative in Bangladesh, inaugurated the event. Also present at the occasion were Takashi Asai, first secretary of the Japanese embassy; Mahbubuddin Chowdhury, secretary general of NAUCB; Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (the country’s national news agency); Zeenat Barkatullah, director of the Shilpakala Academy (the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of the country); and Rehana Munni, assistant secretary of the UNESCO National Commission. Gias Kamal Chowdhury, president of NAUCB, presided over the event.

Thirty-four aesthetic creations by Jonaky featured a combination of flowers, bamboo shoots and local fruits, mango, and jackfruit, along with a paddy sheaf in vases.

Sources:

The Daily Star, 6 June and 3 May 2007
The Financial Express, 29 May 2007
The Weekly Holiday, 4 May 2007