2008
Hastume Sato
the Founder of “Ischia in the Forest”: House of Rest and Relief
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Queen Liliokalani Center, Room #412
University of Hawaii at Manoa
70 people gothered on Sunday November 16th at the Queen Liliokalani Center, room 412 to share the wisdom of Ms. Hatsume Sato who is a founder of "Ischia in the Forest": House of Rest and Relief. Since 1992, Ms. Hatsume Sato has presided over a magical place in Northern Japan called “Ischia in the Forest” . People from all over the world are drawn to “Ischia” seeking relief from the acute mental and physiological health problem caused by living in such a troubled, stressful world. Ms. Sato provides food, love, healing, energy, advice, and hugs to people who seek her compassion. Her long commitment to social welfare and community based educational activities has earned her numerous awards from the International Soroptimist Society, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in more than 120 nations around the world.
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Sachiko Adachi's Cosmic Consciousness Art Exhibition
from Oct 23rd to 25th
at The Art Board, Honolulu HI
Sachiko Adachi:
Born in Tokyo and a graduate of Waseda University, Adachi broke conventional art concepts when she introduced, in the 1980s, her “Cosmic Art”.
At the Japan Expo in Los Angeles in 1988, a fashion show featured Adachi’s “12 Hitoe”; medieval Japanese court ladies’ 12-layered Kimono as a “moving art”. In 1989, she was a winner at the Contemporary Art Expo in New York. In 1993, Adachi launched her own gallery “Space Sachi”, but passed away, at age 47, just one day before the gallery opening. Exhibitions or her work continue to be held all over Japan.
Most of modern art, it seems to me, is the idealistic expression of the ego. I don’t express my personality or ego in these pieces. They are vibrational representations as art of the pure essence of the universe, led by the feeling of let it be. It is my belief that the universe consists of Art and Science.
from “To live as we are” written by Sachiko Adachi
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Naoki Nishimura Charity Peace Concert in Hawaii: Composition for Hawaii
October 21st, 2008
Naoki Nishimura, Born in Matsuyama, Japan in 1949, Mr. Nishimura is a graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He was a composer of music for television and films before returning to his birthplace, and becoming a lecturer at Ehime University. Currently, he composes from his studio in Kochi, where he has been focusing on children’s songs, among his other projects. Mr. Nishimura is renowned for his beautiful, meditative melodies promoting peace, and has performed around the world including at New York City's Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, as well as for Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
About 150 audience enjoyed Mr. Nishimura's beautiful and peaceful melodies at the Parish Hall, Central Union Church, on 21st October, 2008. Mr. Nishimura donated all the donation from the audience ($402) to the Central Union Church.
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Artist Morio Matsui
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Meet the Artist! From Paris to Hawaii!
at The Art Board, Honolulu, HI on February 23rd, 2008
Born in Toyohashi, Japan in 1942, Morio Matsui graduated from the Musashino College of Fine Arts (Tokyo) before continuing his training in France, at the Académie Julian and later at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Having lived in Corsica for the past ten years, he is the first Japanese artist to whom France has awarded the titles of “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (2000) and “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (2003) for his remarkable contribution to the development of Franco-Japanese co-operation in cultural matters.
When he met Picasso, Picasso said, “This fellow has eyes of a feverish fight with real swords such that I might be outstripped some time.” Picasso also said, “You will become a painter like me, however, don’t try to be me, but Morio Matsui yourself.”
With former French President Jacques Chirac at Aichi World Exposition. Matsui displayed three of his paintings at the French Pavilion as a representative of French painters. 2005
He also visited Iolani School and Kapiolani Community College to have several classes with their students.
From Iolani School News:
Morio Matsui Visits
Two Lower School and an Upper School AP art class were honored Monday, February 25, to have famous contemporary artist Morio Matsui work with them in improving their watercolor painting style. Mr. Matsui was born in Japan, and after graduation from the Musashino College of Fine Arts in Tokyo, moved to Paris where he was awarded a scholarship from the French government. He worked in Paris for 40 years studying the great masters and even met and discussed his work with Pablo Picasso.
Mr. Matsui has been living on the island of Corsica for 10 years and loves the ocean influence on his paintings. The students were impressed with Mr. Matsui's joy, energy and exhilaration as he worked the paint on paper using his fingers, brushes and pens. When painting the student across the table, the artist was trying to get students to loosen up their tight style of painting to try and incorporate the personality of the model into his/her work. Mr. Matsui usually paints on canvases up to 15' tall. This size canvas usually takes him 2 to 3 years to complete.
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Hawai‘i Premiere Screening of Documentary Film “Gaia Symphony No. 3
Thanks to all the supporters, volunteers, and the Friends of Gaia Symphony, Hawai'i premiere screening of "Gaia Symphony No. 3" was extremelysuccessful in October 2007.
The “Gaia Symphony” documentary film series—the first section of which was released in Japan in 1992—delivers the message that the planet earth is a living organism and we humans are given lives as part of that organism. This strong message captivated the hearts of many viewers who were interested in environmental protection as well as the relationship between the earth and people, and eventually led to the production of a total of six films to date. Films in the “Gaia Symphony” series have been presented in many places, both inside and outside Japan solely on a non-profit basis. Indeed, the series is a hidden, enduring hit that has not resorted to commercial distribution.
What made this Hawai‘i premiere showing especially memorable was that “Gaia Symphony No. 3,” the film selected for this screening, features celestial navigator Nainoa Thompson, who successfully finished the Hokule‘a Voyage to Japan in 2007. Also, a fund raising reception in cooperation with the Polynesian Voyaging Society was held at the Halekulani Hotel on October 26 (Fri.), where Tatsumura and Thompson had a great talk in front of our supporters, which also made us possible to donate $4200 to the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Finding Your Inner Power:
Lessons from Tempu Nakamura
Saturday, Dec, 9th, 2006
Imin Center at Jefferson Hall
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Tempu Nakamura [1876-1968] was one of the preeminent thinkers of modern Japan. Son of a Samurai, a secret agent during the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars, a medical student at Columbia University, a student of guru Kaliapa, a body guard of Sun Yat-sen, and teacher… these descriptions only touch upon the life of Tempu Nakamura who developed the philosophy of Shin-shin Toitsu. His life philosophy has influenced many, including prominent leaders, such as former Prime Minister Takashi Hara, and John D. Rockefeller III.
The lecture “Finding Your Inner Power: Lessons from Tempu Nakamura”, held at the East-West Center, Imin Center-Jefferson Hall, fulfilled HF’s mission by presenting a program which facilitates enlightenment through understanding Asian philosophical resources little known to the western world.
Our Guest Speaker was the best-selling author, Mr. Ryohei Kamiwatari of Japan. Mr. Tsutomu Shimabukuro and his sister, Ms. Kurita accompanied Mr. Kamiwatari. Other honorable guests included: Japan’s Consul-General Mr. Shigeo Iwatani, Ms. Wendy Abe, President of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Ed Hawkins from the Japan-America Society. Mr. Shimabukuro, who lost both feet in a train accident five years ago and subsequently became one of the world’s first double-amputee marathoner runners, shared his inspiring story at the reception after the lecture.
