Konnichiwa (Konnichiwa Philadelphia)

The Kimono: Part I, II, & III

Stephanie Stauffer — 2010-08-31T17:47:23+00:00

One of the hallmark images of Japanese culture is that of the kimono. A graceful traditional garb that has captured the imagination of foreigners since ukiyo-e woodblock prints, featuring women clad in the iconic outfit, reached beyond Japan’s borders after the country’s period of isolationism ended. And it is no wonder that the picturesque view of a woman dressed in a kimono is appreciated abroad, for the bright, colorful garments convey an aura of beauty, fragility, and serenity.

The Japanese Beer Garden

Chris Yeager — 2010-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

Outdoor beer gardens can be found around the world, and a particularly unique variety is seeing increasing popularity throughout Japan. During summer months, beer gardens on the rooftops of department store buildings provide a refuge high above the teeming, sweltering maze of Tokyo and other large cities. While some may be decorated with Japanese lanterns and carp ponds, the Japanese beer garden tends not to have the botanical charm of their European cousins and instead provides a refreshing sanctuary from the discomforts of city life in the summer. Drinks are usually served in typical nomi-houdai fashion(all-you-can drink) for up to two hours, with the same option often offered for food (tabe-houdai).

The First Gift From the US to Japan

Matt — 2009-12-22T06:00:00+00:00

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Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. Did you know that the very first gift the US presented to Japan was also the very first train ride in the Far East? In the middle of the nineteenth century, two of the leading manufacturers of steam locomotives in the US were located in Philadelphia, on Spring Garden Street on either side of the Sixteenth Street. The properties of Richard Norris and Company and the Baldwin Locomotive Works extended several blocks south.

Philadelphia Artist Hiro Sakaguchi - Idle Daydreams @ Seraphin Gallery

Chris Yeager — 2009-09-10T05:00:00+00:00

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JASGP is pleased to announce that Seraphin Gallery will begin its new season on September 12th with Idle Daydreams, an exhibition of new drawings and paintings by Japanese-Philadelphian artist Hiro Sakaguchi.

Obon

Chris Yeager — 2009-07-07T15:58:37+00:00

Obon is a Japanese custom honoring the spirits of one's ancestors. It was first observed over 500 years ago, eventually becoming a family reunion holiday where people are given leave from work. Over the three day period of the celebration, families will gather together, visit their ancestors' graves, and clean their ancestors' graves and their household altars They will also participate in summer festivals where people play Japanese carnival games and eat traditional summer festival food such as watermelon and takoyaki.

Interview with the Cherry Blossom Queen

Masako Kaida — 2009-05-05T20:40:43+00:00

The 22nd Cherry Blossom Queen, Erisa Kazui, came to Sakura Sunday on April 5. The next day she read picture-book stories in Japanese to children at Center City Philadelpahia libraries. Looking poised in her kimono, her sunny disposition and grace charmed many people during her two day stay in town. Let’s see what she had to say.

Teru Teru Bozu

Eric Carroll — 2009-04-14T19:56:11+00:00

Spring can be a most welcome, yet frustrating time of year. The temperature is rising, the sakura (cherry blossoms) are blooming, and still, many of our much-anticipated outdoor plans are only too often spoiled by rain. What can we do to defend our spring days against the lingering threat of rain and cold? Japan has an answer.

March 3 - Hina Matsuri

Eric Carroll — 2009-02-25T22:46:33+00:00

As we here at the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia are busily preparing for this year’s sakura matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival), we feel it is important not to overlook another upcoming Japanese holiday, hina matsuri (Doll’s Festival) or “Girl’s Day”. In fact, this day can be called by a few names: hina masturi, hina-no-sekku, or momo-no-sekku (Peach Blossom Festival). This celebration has been observed on the third day of the third month for centuries in Japan, but the holiday’s primary ritual has only been documented since the Edo period (17th-19th centuries). Hina matsuri is still observed on March 3rd, even though the peach trees don’t bloom until about April.

Valentine's Day in Japan

Chris Yeager — 2009-02-13T06:00:00+00:00

Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. We’d like to take the time to guide you belatedly away from the confusion you might encounter if you happen to experience a Japanese-style Valentine’s Day without knowing the differences in custom from its western equivalent. To those who suffered an eastern/western Valentine's mixup, we'd like to provide some context and straighten out any misunderstandings.

Bringing Philly to the Japanese Speaking Community - Masako Kaida, Writer

Chris Yeager — 2009-01-08T17:24:37+00:00

Freelance writer, blogger, and current Shukan New York Seikatsu Newspaper writer Masako Kaida has been living in Philadelphia since October of 2007. Since leaving Tokyo where she kept a busy schedule working with renowned journalist Naoki Inose, Kaida has found in Philadelphia the time and incentive for new pursuits. Her newfound interest in the Philadelphia's history and its connections with Japan has resulted in publications for Inose’s web journal and Shukan NY Seikatsu Newspaper that have highlighted the Japan-American community of Philadelphia, JASGP programs, and the City of Brotherly Love itself.

BotoDesigns: Robots in Japan, Robots in Philadelphia...

Chris Yeager / Sam Malissa — 2008-12-08T21:54:28+00:00

After college, Philadelphia artist Chen Reichert spent a year in Japan, collecting postcards and sketching the various characters encountered throughout her travels. One day putting the two together, she painted a clunky robot-man walking through the forest pictured on a Kyoto postcard, and so began an ongoing series of artwork focused on the notion of people behaving robotically. "I know its a bit of a cliche idea," says Reichert, "but that's because its true. We all have our routines that we follow like programming. The robots in Japan flash peace signs to cameras, bow when they meet each other, and have picnics under the cherry blossom trees. The robots in Philadelphia sell soft pretzels, practice law, and stroll through the art museum. I just had to leave home to see it."

Butoh Master Katsura Kan in Philadelphia

Chris Yeager — 2008-11-03T19:55:55+00:00

From 10/27 - 11/2, Japanese butoh master Katsura Kan brought to Greater Philadelphia a series of dance workshops, lectures, and a darkly energetic performance on Halloween night that preceded a costume party in the Mascher Space Co-op studio. Read on to find out about butoh, Kan, and his recent endeavors in the region.

Masao Yamamoto's Photographic Haiku

Chris Yeager — 2008-10-06T05:00:00+00:00

Masao Yamamoto's photography, currently on display at the Print Center, provides the viewer with an experience quite similar to that of reading haiku. His photographs are simple, unparticular images that give little to the eye, but offer up the ingredients for a deeper engagement of the work on some emotional or personal level.

Tokyo No Records Brings Sounds of the Japanese Underground

Chris Yeager — 2008-09-16T20:13:21+00:00

Aiming to promote throwback genres of Japanese music to an American audience, Eric Bresler's Philadelphia based record label TOKYO NO RECORDS has released four domestic CDs and organized tours for some of Japan's well-known Group Sounds revival acts. Read on to find out what they're up to with garage rock vampires Thee 50s High Teens.

2008 Japan Olympians

Chris Yeager — 2008-08-18T19:29:47+00:00

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Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. If you haven't been able to catch all of the 2008 Summer Olympics up to this point, we'll fill you in on Japan's progress. Japan has maintained a spot in the top 10, having earned 8 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze for a total of 20 medals. We bring you the full breakdown below, highlighting this year's gold medalists and providing video links for those who may have missed their performances on TV.

Gaijin Geisha & Co.

Chris Yeager — 2008-07-16T18:34:23+00:00

In our last article, we covered Jero -- the Pittsburgh native who successfully launched a career as Japan's first African-American enka singer with his first album release last month. While we're on the subject of foreigners excelling at traditional Japanese arts, we thought we'd have a look at some other non-Japanese artists whose national identity has brought them much attention from Japanese and western media. Read on to find out about the first western geisha entertainer and more...

Jero: Japan's First African-American Enka Singer

Chris Yeager — 2008-07-02T18:47:33+00:00

In February of 2008, Pittsburgh native Jerome Charles White, Jr. made his debut as Japan’s first African-American enka singer. With the single Umiyuki receiving critical acclaim, Jerome, or “Jero” as he is known on stage, is quickly becoming a pop icon whose success is noteworthy in the history of Japanese music and culture. His first album, COVERS, was released last week, and we’d like to take this opportunity to look at the success of a foreigner pursing an almost indigenous art form in one of the world’s most racially homogenous countries.

Taking Care of Philly's Cherries

Chris Yeager — 2008-05-29T16:22:28+00:00

Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. Getting back in the swing of post-Cherry Blossom Festival activities, the JASGP held the first cherry blossom tree maintenance event of the season on May 17th. We thought we would let you all know how it went as well as discuss the current status of our tree planting initiative, which met its 10 year goal of 1000 trees in the spring of 2007.

Japanese "Game Shows"

Chris Yeager — 2008-05-14T19:54:02+00:00

If you frequent video hosting sites like YouTube or are familiar with the latest in viral video circulation, you’ve probably encountered at least a few clips taken from Japanese “Game Shows.” Rapidly gaining in popularity throughout the world for their quirkiness and absurdity, these fast-paced programs are a dominant form of TV entertainment in Japan and may soon have their place in American broadcasting.

Golden Week (April 29th � May 5th)

Ayaka Shimomura — 2008-04-28T19:23:25+00:00

After the cherry blossoms fall to the ground, Japanese people start to look forward to the long national holiday called Golden Week (ogata renkyu or ougon shukan).

HINAMATSURI

Ben Brandau — 2008-03-13T14:45:29+00:00

“Let's light the lanterns, Let's set peach flowers, Five court musicians are playing flutes and drums, Today is a joyful Dolls' Festival”. These are the words which were sung throughout Japan this March 3rd for Hina Matsuri, a Japanese doll festival also known as “Girls Day”.

Obama Manju, Obama Burgers

Chris Yeager — 2008-02-26T22:07:02+00:00

A small fishing town in Western Japan called Obama is enthuasically supporting the American presidential candidate of the same name. The city has seized the opportunity to take advantage of the phonetic coincidence (“Obama-shi” is Japanese for both “Obama City” and “Mr. Obama”) and has gone as far as to produce “I Love Obama” T-shirts and Japanese-style "manju" sweets with Obama’s face printed on them.

Yakitori Boy, Philadelphia's First Izakaya

Chris Yeager — 2008-01-25T16:50:35+00:00

Gradually making their way into the States, izakaya have been popping up in cities here and there. Yakitori Boy is arguably Philadelphia's first izakaya, newly opened on 11th and Race. This week’s blog provides a review of Japanese “pub-grub,” a delicious division of Japanese cuisine often overlooked abroad.

Oshogatsu / New Years in Japan

Chris Yeager — 2008-01-09T18:27:29+00:00

Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. This week's blog speaks in general about New Years in Japan, from traditional customs of festivity to more modern routines, such as the broadcasting of NHK's annual male vs. female, team-based, musical entertainment competition, Kouhaku Uta Gassen. Read on to learn more about the Japanese experience of the New Year holiday.

Japanese Star for the Phillies, Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Chris Yeager — 2007-12-19T16:47:14+00:00

Konnichiwa, Philadelphia. In this entry we lament Philadelphia's loss of its first and only Japanese baseball star, Iguchi "Gooch" Tadahito, who many agree was integral in winning the NL East title and brought the city much welcomed attention from the Japanese media. When will Philadelphia once again be home to another Japanese baseball star?

UPDATE: As if in response to our pleas, the Phillies have signed former Cardinal So Taguchi!

Maiko Sembokuya: Stories in Small Paintings

Sam Malissa — 2007-12-05T21:39:00+00:00

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A regular member of the JASGP’s Japanese conversation club, Maiko Sembokuya is a talented artist who tells stories about Philadelphia with her paintings and illustrations. Showing a careful sense of observation and breathing a reality that is easy to connect to, the bold shapes and simplified lines in her small paintings cut past visual clutter to deliver a scene that can immediately be recognized. In this blog, the JASGP asks her about the process behind her engaging artwork.

Ikuyo Kuroda: Dance Past the Limit

Chris Yeager — 2007-11-05T06:00:00+00:00

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Recently, Miro Dance Theater invited Ikuyo Kuroda, a rising star in the Japanese dance world, to perform in Philadelphia. I was speaking with Miro’s artistic director Amanda Miller about it, and asked what kind of dance it would be. She told me that she couldn’t quite describe it, but I pushed for a box to put it in, so she said “ballet-butoh fusion.” I couldn’t imagine what a combination of ballet and butoh would look like. From previous shows that I have seen in both genres, I can say that about the only things the two art-forms have in common are that they both involve body movement and they both begin with the letter b...

Tree Maintenance Volunteers Take Care of Business For the Last Time This Year

Chris Yeager — 2007-10-24T16:30:46+00:00

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Konnichiwa, Philadelphia! It's us -- the JASGP -- who, with the assistance of many do-good volunteers, see to it that your landscape is beautified spring after spring when the cherry blossom trees come into bloom. And as much as we love our monthly tree maintenance outings, the 20th of October marked our last such event of the year. JASGP volunteers swiftly took care of business, leaving time for a lovely picnic in Fairmount Park complete with Japanese boxed lunches and frisbee -- this week's blog recounts the experience, photos included.

Japan-American Pop and Abstract Art Show, "Independent Residents" @ Lineage

Chris Yeager — 2007-10-16T05:00:00+00:00

Konnichiwa, Philly. This week’s blog centers on the “Independent Residents” show at Philadelphia’s Lineage Gallery, featuring four Japanese-American artists of richly unique appeal. “Bringing together an entirely new set of artists to both the gallery and to the Philadelphia area,” the exhibition presents artists Aiko Nakagawa, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Kenji Hirata, and Mike Ming, who are united by both their bicultural Japanese-American heritage and involvement in rural and urban street art, yet distinguished by their divergent artistic interpretations of these circumstances.

The Captains: Love is Guaranteed

Sam Malissa — 2007-10-05T05:00:00+00:00

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A while back, I got the catalog for the events this season taking place at the International House of Philadelphia, and circled one that caught my eye: a live performance by a Japanese rock band called The Captains, the self-styled "Last Group Sounds."

Tatsui Baba

Matt — 2007-03-05T13:33:32+00:00

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There may not be many people today who recognize the name Tatsui Baba (1850 - 1888). Even fewer would know that in the summer of 1886 he fled Japan and came to the United States, where he toured the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast lecturing about Japan with his bundle of antique Japanese swords under his arm. Why did Tatsui Baba find himself in these circumstances, so far away from home over 100 years ago?

Ernest Fenollosa and Philadelphia

Matt — 2007-02-20T16:39:48+00:00

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Ernest Fenollosa (1853 - 1908) introduced the wonders of Japanese traditional art to America and the world over one hundred years ago, and is known as "the father of Japanese art." Over one hundred works of Japanese art which he treasured are in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Artistic Masterpiece Comes to Shofuso

Matt — 2007-02-12T13:13:05+00:00

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Internationally acclaimed Nihon-ga painter, Hiroshi Senju, one of Japan’s most revered contemporary artists, has completed twenty full-scale murals for the Japanese House and Garden, Shofuso, in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The murals will be installed on paper sliding doors (fusuma) and a centerpiece alcove (tokonoma) wall in the interior of the house and will replace the original ones destroyed by vandals in the 1970s. These new murals – to be installed in April 2007 – will make the Japanese House the first and only place in in the United States to house such a unique and traditional Japanese art installation.

The U.S.S. Mississippi

Matt — 2007-01-30T19:39:48+00:00

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Did you know that the famous flagship which opened Japan's ports to the outside world and ended her period of isolationism was built right here in Philadelphia? The newest U.S. Navy warship, Mississippi, was launched into the Delaware River under the watchful eyes of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in January of 1842. As the Navy's most technologically experienced officer, Perry worked closely with the legendary naval constructors, Samuel Humphries and John Lenthall of Philadelphia. Built at the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard (then located in the Southwark section of the city at the foot of Federal Street), Mississippi was designated as the nation's first "sea steamer."

The Story of Manjiro

Matt — 2007-01-22T14:44:04+00:00

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In 1841, eight years before Perry's ships entered Uraga Bay near Edo, a fourteen year-old boy and four companions were picked up after a shipwreck on a small island south of Japan. The rescue ship was the John Howland, an American whaling schooner under the command of Captain William H. Whitfield. The boy's name was Manjiro, and he was given the English name John Mung by the ships' crew. While his four companions stayed in Hawai'i when the ship entered port there, Manjiro opted to work on the whaling schooner, and after its return to New Bedford, Massachusetts, Manjiro was taken to live in the home of Captain Whitfield near Fairhaven. Manjiro lived in the United States for approximately ten years, spending part of the time in school, and part of the time at sea.

Cherry Trees, Past & Present

Matt — 2007-01-16T16:58:15+00:00

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Konnichiwa, Philadelphia! This year marks the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia's 10th anniversary, but this is not the first time that Japanese cherry trees have been planted in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. In 1926, as a gesture of friendship, the Japanese government donated 1,600 cherry trees to Philadelphia (some of which are still standing near the Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park). Again in 1933, another 2,500 flowering cherries and pink and white dogwoods were planted along the East and West River Drives. We recently found out about The Memorial Book of Record at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which contains the names of all the donors from 1933. The list of names is too long to post here, but we can post the book's introduction:

Historic Philadelphia in Japanese

Matt — 2007-01-09T14:50:55+00:00

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Konnichiwa, Philadelphia! This week, instead of highlighting a specific story, we'd like to announce that The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is now available in Japanese, as well as 12 other foreign languages. This is a great opportunity to learn about Philadelphia's unique history as the birthplace of the United States. The tour takes visitors on a walking journey through "America's Most Historic Square Mile." Located in Center City, it includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors on a walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created.

Temple University and Japan

Matt — 2007-01-02T14:04:41+00:00

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Temple University's connections to Japan are many, but two which are particularly notable include the establishment in 1982 of Temple's branch campus in Tokyo, Temple University Japan, and the ground-breaking work which Temple faculty member and well-known artist Arthur L. Flory did with Japanese printmakers.

UPenn and Japan

Matt — 2006-12-18T13:48:58+00:00

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Modeled by its founder Benjamin Franklin on the leading Scottish universities of the time, the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1740, opened the first medical school in the American colonies in 1765, and in 1790 had the first professor of American law. The University's ties with Japan began after the Meiji emperor ascended the throne in 1869, and major educational reforms were instituted in Japan, including the encouragement of international exchanges.

The Emperor's Tutor

Matt — 2006-12-11T14:55:31+00:00

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As the tutor to then Crown Prince, now Emperor Akihito, Elizabeth Gray Vining provides one of the most important connections between the Philadelphia region and imperial Japan. Vining was born in 1902 and raised in Bryn Mawr and the Queen Lane section of Germantown. She lived for many years in Philadelphia and Wallingford, PA, and attended Bryn Mawr College. In 1933 she began a career as a children's book , and wrote Adam of the Road, winner of the Newberry Award in 1943. In all, she was the author of over 60 works, including biographies of William Penn and Quaker stalwart Rufus Jones, and three volumes recounting her experiences in and with Japan: Windows for the Crown Prince (1952), Return to Japan (1960), and Quiet Pilgrimage (1970).

The Japanese Community in Philly

Matt — 2006-12-04T14:02:54+00:00

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Between 1860 and 1920, immigrants from many countries arrived in the United States. Of these, 246,400, or .0086%, were from Japan. The 1920 cencus counted 11,010 Japanese, included their American-born children. The early Japanese immigrants came to study or start businesses trading with Japan.

Ben Franklin's Descendants in Japan

Matt — 2006-11-27T13:33:53+00:00

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History has many interesting tales to tell. One of them is the story of Robert Walker Irwin, the son William Wallace Irwin, of a one-time Pennsylvania representative to the US Congress, and Sophia Arabella Bache of Philadelphia, a fourth direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin. But while his ancestor and the rest of his family made Philadelphia their capital, Robert W. traveled west to Hawai'i and Japan; he went to Yokohama in 1866 to open up a Pacific Mail Steamship service.

Masatsune Ichinoi: Japanese Dentist

Matt — 2006-11-20T14:30:15+00:00

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the first Japanese dental practitioner in the United States, Dr. Masatsune Ichinoi, was born in Kumamoto, Japan, in 1862. He crossed the Pacific to pursue his higher education. After arriving in San Francisco, Ichinoi was inspired by the work of local dentists, and he decided to study at Philadelphia Dental College at the age of 27. In Philadelphia, he graduated with the top honors and became an assistant lecturer. In 1891, Ichinoi opened a private practice here in Philadelphia, becoming the first Japanese dental practitioner in the United States.

Takeo Arishima: Novelist

Matt — 2006-11-13T14:05:04+00:00

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On a September afternoon in 1903, Joseph Elkinton stood on the platform of the Broad Street station in Philadelphia waiting for the train to come in, bringing the author Takeo Arishima. Arishima had come to the United States, among other reasons, to earn his master's degree at Haverford College, a Quaker institution outside of Philadelphia. He had roomed with Inazo Nitobe, Joseph Elkington's brother-in-law, while studying in Sapporo, and came to America due to Nitobe's influence.

A Match Made in Philly

Matt — 2006-11-06T15:44:58+00:00

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On January 1, 1891, an extraordinary wedding took place at the Friends Meeting House at Fourth and Arch Streets in Philadelphia. The next day's Philadelphia Inquirer reported on its front page with the headline: "Weds and Oriental Husband: Mary Patterson Elkinton, Quakeress, Marries Inazo Nitobe, Japanese -- A Young Woman's Sacrifice for Love's Sweet Sake." As the newspaper's wording implied, a cross-cultural, interracial marriage of this sort was rare at the time, the "sacrifice" involved Mary's determination to live with her husband in distant Japan.

Hideyo Noguchi: Medical Researcher

Matt — 2006-10-30T14:45:43+00:00

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If you've been to Japan or seen Japanese money, you may have noticed the man on the 1000 yen bill. If you've ever been to the University City Science Center on 36th and Market Streets, you may have noticed a statue of the same man. His name is Hideyo Noguchi, and he is one of the best-known and most widely respected medical researchers of the 20th century. He was nominated for three Nobel Prizes, awarded medals from the kings of Denmark and Spain, and received numerous honorary degrees from universities all around the world. All this despite the fact that he did not attend college or medical school, nor did he receive training as a medical researcher in Japan.

Umeko Tsuda: Philly's First Japanese Student

Matt — 2006-10-23T14:45:28+00:00

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The first Japanese to study abroad came to the US with the Iwakura Mission in 1872, when the new Meiji government of Japan opened official relationships with foreign nations. Five young girls were sent along with that envoy to study in the US for a period of ten years. Umeko Tsuda, at the age of seven, was youngest of these girls. She stayed with a host family in Washington, DC, and remained the US one year onger than she had originally planned. She returned to Japan at the age of eighteen.

Japan's First Ambassadors to the US

Matt — 2006-10-16T13:14:32+00:00

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The first Japanese to come to Philadelphia were the over 100 members of the Iwakura Mission -- Japan's first diplomatic mission to the West -- from June 22 -25, 1872. The new Meiji government of Japan had recently reversed the centuries-old policy of isolationism and desired to modernize itself in the model of the US and Europe. The envoy was led by Tomomi Iwakura, and included ambassadors, government officials, and even students (including Umeko Tsuda, one of the first Japanese woman to study abroad -- at Bryn Mawr College).

Shofuso: Pine Breeze Villa

Matt — 2006-10-09T13:29:36+00:00

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You probably already knew that there is a Japanese house and garden in Fairmount Park, but do you know how it got there? Shofuso was built in 1953 in traditional 16th-century style as a gift to the Museum of Modern Art from the America-Japan Society of Tokyo on behalf of the Japanese people to the American people; a gesture of friendship and goodwill. The house was built of the finest materials available. It was built from hinoki cypress obtained with special permission from the national cypress forests, and the rocks for the garden were each hand-selected from the slopes of the Takayama mountains.

Sunkaraku-an: The Art Museum Teahouse

Matt — 2006-10-02T13:48:47+00:00

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Americans first came into direct contact with the Japanese art of tea here in Philadelphia at the 1876 Centennial Exposition, but it wasn't until 1928 that the first authentic Japanese teahouse was obtained for exhibition in any American museum. The growing American interest in Japanese tea ceremonies and architecture in the early 20th century led Fiske Kimball, director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to plan a permanent Japanese teahouse exhibit in the museum.

Nio-mon: Philly's Japanese Temple Gate

Matt — 2006-09-27T18:24:34+00:00

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Did you know that Philadelphia once had its very own Japanese Temple Gate? From 1905 - 1955, the present site of the Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park was occupied by a gate which served as the main entrance to the temple of Seionji in the village of Furumachi, Hitachi province. The gate was originally commissioned in 1344 by Satake Yoshiatsu, restored in 1600, then exported from Japan to Louisiana as part of the Official Japanese Empire Exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. After the exhibit, the gate was purchased by two Philadelphians and donated to Fairmount Park.