The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) is a research center for ethnology and cultural anthropology.

Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada

Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada

Related Event

Minpaku Seminars

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No. 378

Date: November 21, 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.)
OOMURA Keiichi (Associate Professor,The Graduate School of Osaka University)
(Held in conjunction with the Special Exhibition
“Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada”)
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No. 376
The World of Inuit Art: Messages from the Arctic
Date: September 19, 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.)
KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)
(Held in conjunction with the Special Exhibition
“Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada”)
Inquiries:
National Museum of Ethnology, Information Planning Division
Telephone: 06-6878-8210
Hours of Operation: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Address: 10-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita, Osaka 565-8511, Japan

Special Exhibition: Minpaku Film Shows

?GAIA SYMPHONY III
  • Date: October 24 (Saturday)
  • Time: 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
    (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.)
  • SAITO Reiko (Chief Curator of the Hokkaido Museum of Northern People)
  • KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)
?Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole
  • Date: November 14 (Saturday)
  • Time: 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
    (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.)
  • AKASAKA Tomoaki (Photographer)
  • KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)
?Mysteries of the North (Nanook of the North)
  • Date: December 6 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
    (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.)
  • KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)
  • ITO Atsunori (Special Researcher at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
Inquiries:
National Museum of Ethnology, Information Planning Division
Telephone: 06-6878-8210
Hours of Operation: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Address: 10-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita, Osaka 565-8511, Japan

Workshops

Making Wooden Boxes of the Indigenous People of the Northwest Coast
Registration Starts: September 25 (Friday)

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We will make a wooden box, using a thin sheet of wood, in the form of the bent-wood box on display in this exhibition. You may choose a design that you like from the paper templates and paint it; then, you will finish your original trinket box.

  • Date: October 25 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: SAITO Reiko (Chief Curator of the Hokkaido Museum of Northern People)
    About the Instructor[?]




Making Pendants Using Porcupine Quills
Registration Starts: October 15 (Thursday)

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Porcupines are animals that have a coat of sharp quills all over their bodies. A long time ago, indigenous people in Canada used the quills to create beautiful patterns in their clothing.
In this workshop, we will make a pendant using porcupine quills. Let's experience far-off, traditional Canadian culture!

  • Date: November 15 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: IKEDA Takao (Curator of the Historical Museum of Hokkaido)
    About the Instructor[?]




Stencil Printmaking
Registration Starts: October 22 (Thursday)

Using the Inuit's unique prints as a model, we will make our own original cards. First we will make a stencil sheet (template) and then rub paint on to it with a sponge-brush.

  • Date: November 22 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
    About the Instructor[?]
Silkscreen Printmaking
Registration Starts: October 29 (Thursday)

Using the bright, colorful prints created by the indigenous people of the northwest coast as a model, we will make our own original cards. By using a cutting method, we will make a master copy and a plate, and then print it with ink to finish it.

  • Date: November 29 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
    About the Instructor[?]
[Finished] Making Wolf Masks of the Indigenous People of the Northwest Coast

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In this workshop, we will make a wolf mask of the indigenous people of the northwest coast, namely, the Nuu-chah-nulth. This mask is used for ritual dancing. It is not used to cover the face, but is worn on the head like a helmet. First you will cut craft paper and then shape it into a mask, based on a design, and paint it in the way you like.

  • Date: September 20 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
    About the Instructor[?]
[Finished] Making Seals Using Syllabics of the Inuit

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The Inuit syllabics were developed between the late 19th and the early 20th century, by improving upon those for Cree-speaking people. Just like Hiragana and Katakana in Japanese, one character represents a combination of a consonant and a vowel. In this workshop, you will make a hanko (seal) for your name.

  • Date: October 4 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
    We have stopped accepting applications since the workshop has been filled to capacity. Thank you for your applications!
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: OOMURA Keiichi (Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Osaka University)
    About the Instructor[?]






[Finished] Making Paddles Like Those of the Indigenous Peoples of the Northwest Coast

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There are distinctive designs on the paddles of the indigenous peoples of the northwest coast. In this workshop, we will make a 90 cm -wooden paddle, instead of 150 cm one. We will make a beautifully shaped paddle by planing ana?d polishing it with sandpaper. After that, we will paint the surface with animal and plant designs like those unique to the indigenous people of the northwest coast.

  • Date: October 11 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
    We have stopped accepting applications since the workshop has been filled to capacity. Thank you for your applications!
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
    About the Instructor[?]

[Finished] Making Iroquois Masks

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The Iroquois people in eastern Canada use masks when they perform ceremonies to expel evil spirits or to treat diseases.
The mask that we are making in this workshop is called Tsumujikaze (whirlwind). We will first cut craft paper and then form a mask, based upon a design, which we will then finish by painting.

  • Date: October 18 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Intended For: First graders and older (Younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent.)
  • Seats Available: 20 (Advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Cost: 350 Yen
  • Please Bring: An apron or clothing that can get dirty
  • Registration: Refer to How to Register for a Workshop.
  • Instructor: TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
    About the Instructor[?]

【About Lecturer】

TANUSHI Makoto (Printmaker)
He is teaching art in schools as part of a traveling artists program sponsored by the Agency of Cultural Affairs, as well as at various museum workshops across the country
OOMURA Keiichi (Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Osaka University)
He is exploring what humankind is and what potentiality humankind has through his research on the language, society, and culture of the Inuit, the indigenous people in the far-northern region of Canada.
SAITO Reiko (Chief Curator of the Hokkaido Museum of Northern People)
Her research expertise is in the history and culture of the Ainu in Hokkaido and the indigenous peoples of northern areas, such as the northwest coast of Alaska and Canada.
IKEDA Takao (Curator of the Historical Museum of Hokkaido)
During his childhood, while making ropes and purifying his house together with his grandmother, he became interested in the traditional lifestyles of different people all over the world. At present, he is working for the Historical Museum of Hokkaido. He travels to Canada, Russia, China, Korea, and all over Japan to do research about these peoples’ lives.

How to Register for a Workshop
You may register either by fax or e-mail.

When registering, please include the:

  1. Name of the workshop
  2. Date you wish to attend
  3. Number of members in your group
  4. Names and ages of the members in your group
  5. Name, address and telephone number of a contact person
  6. Fax number (when registering by Fax)

To Register, Please Contact:

National Museum of Ethnology, Information Planning Division, Braille Exhibition Workshops Section

  • Fax: 06-6878-7523
  • E-mail: workshop@idc.minpaku.ac.jp
  • Please be aware that if there are a large number of applications, they will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We will notify applicants within a week. Any personal information collected will not be used for purposes other than those related to the workshops.

    Please note that instructions at workshops will be in Japanese.

Inquiries:
National Museum of Ethnology, Information Planning Division
Telephone: 06-6878-8210
Hours of Operation: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Address: 10-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita, Osaka 565-8511, Japan

“SUMMER VACATION KID'S MINPAKU” IS OVER.

“Summer Vacation Kid’s Minpaku: Canadian Spirit”

  • Date and Time: August 22 – August 30, 2009 (9 days) 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Ends at 3:00 p.m. on August 30.)
  • Location: Kansai TV Atrium; Kansai TV Nandemo Arena (Ogimachi)
  • Organized By: National Museum of Ethnology
  • Collaborators: Kansai Telecasting Corporation (For details, please view the page for Kansai TV's “Summer Vacation Kid's Minpaku: Canadian Spirit.” )
Good News for the Exhibition Period
There are some promotional events related to the exhibitions at Minpaku, including distribution of the Uchiwa (paper fans) of Ms.Seina Sagiri, a star in the Yuki-gumi (the Snow group) of Takarazuka. There will be a discount in the admission fee if you bring one of these fans when you come to see the special exhibition—Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous People of Canada (September 10-December 8 at the National Museum of Ethnology). 250 fans will be distributed each Saturday and Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (at 10:30 a.m. only on August 30) and 200 more during weekdays from 11:00a.m. (first-come, first-served basis).
ya More information about “Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous People of Canada”

l In Conjunction with the Special Exhibition, “Voices from the Land, Visions of Life: Beauty Created by the Indigenous People of Canada”:
Displays of Huge Nebuta

Children can go inside a Nebuta and enjoy images and photos on a large monitor. The Nebuta is also lit up at night by interior lights.
The following Nebuta objects were built and are displayed with the cooperation of the Kyoto University of Art and Design (design and production) and Mr.Tomoaki Akasaka (photography):

  1. A gigantic killer whale (5m-diameter and 4m-height)
  2. A totem pole (5m-diameter and 6m-height).

Interactive Exhibits Where You Can Enjoy Media Art

“Illustrated Books That Jump Out At You”
This is an exhibition of illustrated books with motifs of raven myths, which, by using AR technology, seem to jump out at you.
(Technical Cooperation: Nara Institute of Science and Technology; 3D Animation Production Support: Osaka Electro-Communication University)
“Jumping Masks”
This is an exhibition of masks with Canadian Northwest Coast aboriginal art motifs, which, by using AR technology, seem to jump out at you.
(Technical Cooperation: Nara Institute of Science and Technology; 3D Animation Production Support: Osaka Electro-Communication University)
“Transformation Board”
A large screen is mounted on a wall, and when you stand before it, your image will be transformed into a bear or eagle totem pole and projected onto the screen.
(With Assistance from Osaka University)

Special Events on August 23 (Sunday) at Nandemo Arena

Tampopo Youth Chorus Concert: Songs and Plays of Japan and Canada

  • Date and Time: August 23 (Sunday), 2009 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Kansai TV Nandemo Arena (Admission free; no registration required.)
  • Performed By: Tampopo Youth Chorus

Workshop: Let's Try to Beat an African Drum!

Concert: African Percussion – The Reverberations of the Senegal Sabar

This project was made possible with the cooperation of: Osaka Electro-Communication University, Kansai Telecasting Corporation, Kyoto University of Art Design, Osaka University, Kyoto Saga University of Arts, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, MayuArt.com, Studio Sesami.

Gallery Talks

Gallery talks by the coordinators of the special exhibitions, as well as by printmakers and photographers, will be held at the following times and locations.
Dates: on the following Saturdays and holidays during the special exhibition period.
September 12, 21, 22, 23, 26 (Time: 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
October 11, 12, 18, 25 (Time: 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
October 17 (Time: 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.)
October 31 (Time: 12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m.)
November 3, 7, 8, 12, 15, 22, 23, 28, 29 (Time: 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
November 14 (3:30 p.m)
December 5 (Time: 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Location: Special Exhibition Hall, National Museum of Ethnology

Fun Events

Story Time
Members of the Suita Himawari no kai will talk about the mythology of Canada's northwest coast and old Inuit tales, and will read aloud illustrated books about indigenous peoples at the following times and locations.
  • Dates: The following Saturdays during the Special Exhibition:
    September 12, 19, 26
    October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
    November 7, 14, 21, 28
    December 5
  • Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
  • Location: The Workshop Area (Second Floor) of the Special Exhibition Hall, National Museum of Ethnology
“Songs and Plays of Japan and Canada” Performed by Tampopo Youth Chorus
The Tampopo Youth Chorus will perform Japanese children's songs, Inuit songs, Otedama (playing with beanbags) and jump-rope at the following times and locations.
  • Date: November 1, 2009 (Sunday)
  • Time: 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
  • Location: The Entrance Hall of the main building of the National Museum of Ethnology

Related Events (Sponsored by the Senri Foundation Minpaku Associates)

Minpaku Associates Events in Tokyo
  • Date: September 26, 2009 (Saturday)
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 1:30 p.m.)
  • Title: In Conjunction with the Special Exhibition, “Voices from the Land, Visions of Life”:
    “Canada's Indigenous People Now – The World of the Inuit and the Indigenous People of the Northwestern Coast”
  • KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, Department of Advanced Studies in Anthropology, National Museum of Ethnology)
  • Contents: Of Canada's 1.17 million indigenous people, the majority no longer lives in their homelands and now lives in cities, where their lifestyles are different from their traditional ones. By looking at works of art, we will present them in their search for an indigenous identity in both their homelands and cities.
  • Venue: JICA Chikyu Hiroba, 3rd Floor, Seminar Room 302
    (4-2-24 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo: One minute by foot from Hiroo Station (Exit A3) on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
  • Seats Available: 60 (First-come, first-served; no registration required.)
    ※ Please present your “Tomo-no-Kai” card on the day of the event.
Minpaku Associates Events in Osaka
  • Date: October 3, 2009 (Saturday)
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Title: In Conjunction with the Special Exhibition: “Voices from the Land, Visions of Life”:
    “Canada's Indigenous People: Past, Present and Future – Looking at Occupational and Cultural Rights”
  • KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro (Professor, Department of Advanced Studies in Anthropology, National Museum of Ethnology)
  • Contents: Canada's indigenous peoples consist of the First Nations (Indians), the Metis, and the Inuit. We will present their histories and present-day lifestyles, focusing on occupational and cultural rights, indigenous movements, and their relationships with the Canadian government.
  • Location: National Museum of Ethnology, Seminar Room No.5
  • Seats Available: 96 (First-come, first-served; no registration required.)
    ※ Please present your “Tomo-no-Kai” card on the day of the event.
Inquiries:
The Senri Foundation, Minpaku Associates Desk
Telephone: +81-6-6877-8893
E-mail: minpakutomo@senri-f.or.jp