Saturday, April 3, 2010

US envoy's residence displays Japanese modern art

    April 2, 2010

    The US ambassador's official residence in Japan has become a gallery of Japanese modern art.

    To date, the residence in Tokyo has been graced with American art by successive ambassadors.

    But the current ambassador, John Roos, decided to display works by Japanese artists for the first time.

    He made the decision as the 2 countries mark the 50th anniversary of their revised security treaty this year.

    On display are 18 works by 10 Japanese artists who are popular abroad, including Yayoi Kusama and Yoko Ono.

    The ambassador and his family are said to be especially intrigued by Tatsuo Miyajima's art, in which 40 numbers flicker and change on a display.

    A kimono dyed in traditional style by Yuken Teruya from Okinawa is on display in the historic living room, where Emperor Showa was photographed side by side with General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of the allied powers occupying Japan after World War Two.

    The kimono features American soldiers and fighter jets as motifs and is said to show Okinawa's wavering feelings about being home to many US military bases.

    The ambassador's wife, Susan Roos, says a mature country-to-country relationship starts from paying respect to each other's culture.

    She says she'd be happy if the art display helps reinforce US ties with Japan.

    2010/04/02 21:42(JST)
    (JST: UTC+9hrs.)