Beautiful Art, Japanese Lacquerware

Stationery Box in Kōdaiji style from Momoyama period (1573-1615). - Photo by: metmuseum.org

Lacquareware is produced in several areas in Asian countries, especially China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar and maybe a few others. The origin of this art might start from China then spread into many other countries. Lacquerware has beautiful shiny finishes that resemble porcelain products that also originated from China.

The beautiful of lacquerware start from the beginning of the process that requires the layer of lacquer to be applied over and over again and the curing process that take several days to weeks. The total time to complete one product might take several months to years.

While in Japan the usage of lacquer (in Yayoi era) was so extensive from basket, farming tools, fishing gear, in many other materials - in order to protect these materials from damage easily. Then the usage of lacquer evolved as a craft during the Asuka period. The transformation was influenced by the Chinese arts that transferred to Japan. There were large amounts of lacquer were required during that period, that requires the amount of lacquer harvested to be controlled.

Old Chinese lacquerware from Ming dynasty, Wanli era (1573-1620). - Photo by: collections.lacma.org

One of Maki-e motifs. - Photo by:  Pqks758

Another antique stacking boxes with Maki-e. - Photo by: ancientpoint.com 

The advancement of the craft not limited to just painting and scraping, but also the usage of other materials such as ‘mother of pearls’, brass, copper, lead, silver, platinum and gold. Here in Japan the usage of the valuable metals is more popular and known as Maki-e (蒔絵, literally: sprinkled picture).

This technique was developed during the Heian period (794 – 1185) and became popular during the Edo period (1603–1868). This technique requires high skill, craftsmanship – that most of the young artists will go through many years to produce high quality arts with this technique.

There are many other techniques for Japanese lacquerware, but the Maki-e was considered one of the best technique mastered by Japan. Other than the technique, the motifs and the shapes of the materials that produced from Japanese craftsman also presenting the authenticate designs.

Even though we can still find the Japanese Maki-e lacquer products, the price can be expensive – most of it is antique products. The time intensive works to produce this art might be one of the reasons why not many artisan works on it.

Here I will include few videos related to Japanese Lacquerware works and arts in order to help you understand more on this topic.

Why You Need To Visit Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the main attraction of visitors to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is one of the major cities in Cambodia with its main attraction is Angkor Wat. While not providing facilities like other major cities in Southeast Asia, it's urban development is actually quite impressive when compared to the situation which this country was just recovering from multiple crises that swept across Cambodia.

Given that development has just started here lots of things that you can learn from the way of life of local communities that are still strong encrusted with their original lifestyle. Flooded by tourists from around the world to see for themselves the magnificence of the buildings at Angkor, also help people here rebuild their lives through a variety of businesses in providing guests with the best service.

Wat Thmei, as a reminder of the history of old Cambodia.

Armed with old buildings that became the center of ancient government center, Siem Reap keep on visited by millions to see the remains of these historical remains. The visitors from diverse backgrounds and different purposes here reinstate the city as a center by the people such as how it was.

Despite not having attractions like any other big cities of other Southeast Asian cities, Siem Reap has a variety of interesting features that allow visitors to enjoy their vacation while they are here, important facilities such as transportation, food, markets/supermarket, and many recreational activities available here all at once and keep increasing over time.

Accommodation

Grand d'Angkor Hotel, the oldest hotel in Siem Reap.

Accommodation in the city includes the need for all the visitors of luxurious accommodation and hostel facilities and also the 'homestay'. Given that the tourism industry is booming here practically every hotels here has a relationship with leisure activities providers to help visitors make a reservation from their hotel respectively.

Transport

Among the peculiarities of this city is the transport system of its own. The flat land surface allowing the use of vehicles called “tuk-tuk” (motorcycle modified to carry more passengers comfortably). Transportation here is the same as any other cities with the domination by motorcycles on the main streets. But for the convenience of visitors, all forms of transport can be found here except train.

Food

The influx of tourists here allows various kinds of foods to be available for all people from around the world available here. It’s not only provided by the locals, but there are also restaurants runs by people from outside their own countries - perhaps they have become a permanent resident here!

Local food stalls can be found easily, while restaurants that serve customers with 'western foods' also found in most areas of the city. In fact, you might try exotic foods!

What make it easy for you to stays here is the “tuk-tuk” drivers and restaurant operators mostly can speak English well.

Activities

Visiting the silk farm, one of interesting thing to do.

Another majestic temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

You'll be happy if you get a chance to visit this temple.

Morning scene in front of the gate into the Bayon Temple complex.

While your main goal here is to visit Angkor Wat and the old temples around the area, Siem Reap provides a variety of other activities that you might not know. These activities includes land, water and air are all available at reasonable prices.

There are several museums that you need to visit to understand the history of ancient city of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. While a visit to the handicraft centers mainly silk farms definitely add a bit of your knowledge. Likewise, if you are interested in deepening down the streets with cycling, a visit to the ‘water village’ or you just want to join 'cruise' around the Tonle Sap Lake. Air activities are also available if you are interested.

So if you're on vacation here only for a short period, you will not be able to do all of these activities. Make sure you come back.

A lot of things you can learn from the life of the people here. Given the condition of this city in the development stage, many things are still in a state of natural that might disappear in the nearest future.

For the purpose of transportation in Siem Reap you can contact; Mr. Salim & Mr. Nasir at; (+855) 9857 1840 “whatsapp” (+855) 7090 2910 “whatsapp” Email: threebrothers41@gmail.com; limangkor@yahoo.com; seangkor2011@hotmail.com; angkorlim@gmail.com; sekongangkor1@hotmail.com

Perak Museum, Taiping The Oldest Museum in Malaysia

Perak Museum in Taiping, the first museum in Malaysia.

Located in Taiping, Perak Museum is the oldest museum in the state of Perak. It is a very historical museum in our country as it is the first museum was established in Malaysia in 1883 with the recommendation of the British Resident in Perak at that time, Sir Hugh Low. Ever since its construction, the building continues to be added to provide more space for exhibition areas.

During his opening the curator assigned to take care for this museum is Leonard Wray Jr. who is an expert in botany and geology. As the first museum, it becomes a good example for the establishment of the following museums which provides educational materials for local communities. It somehow teaches people to appreciate the richness of our culture, the earth and the uniqueness of our own country.

The museum collections since its original shape again focus zoology or natural history of the State of Perak. Specimens were collected from small animals such as mouse deer to as big as elephant bones. The collections are also a good start for a small museum that was built over 100 years ago.

Skeleton collection at the Museum of Perak.

In addition to nature collections of Perak, now the museum also showcases the history of the life of the original materials from the colonial era, antique cars owned by the states ruler of Perak in the compound of this museum.

You also have the opportunity to see for yourself the development of the museum from its inception to the present day through the history of the museum itself. So in addition to exhibiting historical materials, the building itself is a part of history that is valuable to the state of Perak and Malaysia.

The early establishment of the museum in the 1890s.

Perak Museum in 1905.

Perak Museum in around the 1990s.

For those who like to visit the museum, important information about the museum are as follows:

Locations:

Jalan Taming Sari, 34000 Taiping, Perak

Trip time:

Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Open daily except on Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji

Entrance fee:

Adults (My Card): RM2.00

Children (My Kid): Free

Normal price:

Adult: RM5.00

Children (6-12 years): RM2.00

Kirikane, Japanese Fine Art Made of Gold

Kehalusan seni "Kirikane" diterapkan pada pinggan kaca ini.

Kirikane (截金), the Japanese art using thin sheet of gold pieces that are rarely heard. This art brought from outside of Alexandria is said to come as part of ancient Egypt around the 3rd century BC. But this art in Japan was brought from China as part of Buddhist art decorations for statues and paintings.

Maybe you have not heard about it because in Japan this art is re-introduced since Kirikane got less attention previously. Kirikane art is not easy to master by everyone because it is not only uses materials such as gold, silver and platinum, but the pieces of precious metals that are used are very thin and difficult to handle without skill and patience.

This art was brought to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and examples can still be seen to this day such as Tamamushino Zushi at Horyuji Temple. This art is very popular around the 11th century up to 14. It was then almost disappeared due to the lack of decoration of Buddhist art in Japan.

Best applied Kirikane techniques.

Ball container with Kirikane.

Akane Yamamoto expressing Kirikane through art glass.

Today this art is given a new style, although some still retained its original art on a small scale. Through the efforts of activists of the new generation of Japanese art, Kirikane been used for larger media covers wider range of decorations. Among the famous Kirikane artists is Akane Yamamoto, one of successful artist who bring back Kirikane globally with "Kirikane Glass" she'd produced.

Although Akane using new media in the production of "Kirikane Glass" design, she still displays the characteristics of original Kirikane through traditional pieces of sheet metal that is used, it is the fine shapes of lines, diamonds, triangles, squares and geometric as on the classic Kirikane. Anyway, with the use of glass, Akane highlights this art through deeper dimension.

Beside her, the other artists are also using Kirikane according to their inclination for this art can be used with various media. Just Kirikane art has a distinctive shape that can be observed easily through the piece of sheet metal that it’s used.

The classical usage of Kirikane in Buddhist Art.

It can also be used on many other items.

Wooden box decorated with Kirikane.

This art needs to be done with high accuracy as the precious metal pieces used very thin. It requires very careful handling to ensure that the work done to produce a final result as desired.

• Usually two types of metal sheets used in the decoration consist of gold, silver and platinum. These plates have to undergo a heating process (with its own technique) to attach to one another to increase thickness.
• These pieces will be cut using a bamboo knife (metal blade cannot be used) over cutting board that covered with buckskin - to produce a good cutting.
• It subsequently attached using adhesive (from seaweed, funori and ' hide glue ', Mikawa) on items to be decorated with Kirikane.

  

Looking at the results of the Kirikane, then you will definitely agree that it should be preserved as a legacy for the next generation. Although it is less known compared to other Japanese cultural arts, but it has a very high value in describing the cultural wealth of Japan and this telling us that every art in every culture too are just as precious as Kirikane and need to be preserved.

Orang Asli Craft Museum, Kuala Lumpur

The main entrance to the Orang Asli Craft Museum.

Orang Asli Craft Museum (Muzium Seni Kraf Orang Asli) is located at Jalan Damansara, next to the building of the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. It is different with Aboriginal Museum, in Gombak, Selangor. As the name implies, it's intended to introduce the art of aboriginal craft in addition to other matters related to the culture of within these communities.

Apart from the craft items it also shows the connection between the items and the life of the people through their stories of myths and legends, culture and beliefs. The exhibits are on permanent display and some exhibited seasonally.

The galleries which have been enlarge, are divided into eight segments which show the life of the aboriginal, which includes background of tribal natives, geographical distribution and demographics, sculptures, carved masks, traditional residence, hunting equipment and fishing, mortality, musical instruments, accessories and woven garments. All the materials are delivered using a variety of methods including the use of multimedia to further ease the process of learning about the lives of the indigenous people of this.

Collection of masks on display.

Wood carvings by indigenous communities.

Fishing equipment.

Ticket prices Orang Asli Craft Museum

Visitor Type

• Citizen: RM 2.00
• Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): RM 1.00
• Children aged 12 and under (citizen): free of charge
• Secondary School students dress uniforms (citizen): free of charge
• High School Students not dressed in uniform (citizen): RM 2.00
• Member of International Council of Museums (ICOM): free of charge
• Not a citizen: RM 5.00
• Children (6 to 12 years) (non-citizens): RM 2.00
• Children younger than 6 years (non-citizens): free of charge

Opening Hours

• 9.00 am - 6.00 pm (daily)
• Closed on the first day of Aidilfitri and Aidil Adha

Transport

Visitors can take a taxi or bus KL HOP-ON HOP-OFF, free bus (Go KL) or other alternative transportation based in KL Sentral Station, the commuter, LRT, monorail or walk for 20 minutes. You also will have opportunity to use the MRT service when it opens later.

Contact Person

Asmawi Bin Mohamed Yunus - Chairman MSKOA Museum (asmawi@jmm.gov.my)

Address:

Orang Asli Craft Museum, Department of Museums Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur

Tel:   603-22671000 samb.154 / 171/153

Fax: 603-2282 7294/2287 1275

Email: pr.mskoa@jmm.gov.my

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman with traits of old Malay.

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman also known as Rumah Penghulu is another popular attraction in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Anyway it’s not as popular to locals as any other attractions that get more coverage from the media. However, Rumah Penghulu is an important attraction for us in order to know more about traditional Malay architecture.

It is an old Malay house erected in stages between 1910 and 1930. It is originally the house of a village leader of Mukim Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu, Kedah. It was originally located in Kampung Sungai Kechil but was recovered and transferred (1996-1997) by Badan Warisan Malaysia.

It is important to visit the site as an example of architecture of old Malay house. Though its new location in the Kuala Lumpur City is surrounded by high-rise buildings, Rumah Penghulu area itself planted with plants and herbs that contain more than 50 kinds of herbs and trees that add to the uniqueness of this location as a location for education.

Kitchen with unique equipment.

Living room with a mat of pandanus.

Connection between various parts of the house.

In addition to home architecture, interiors, furnishings, equipment and surroundings, visitors can actually join many guided tours offered by many travel agencies in Kuala Lumpur to enjoy additional activities. These activities include activities for children, activity architecture by examining the architecture of the houses using a plan, a way of village life activities for adults as well as many others according to the available packages.

You can also join a guided tour that is available here at 11:00 am and at 3:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. A contribution of RM10.00 is charged for participating in this guided tour which will also provide a lot of useful information. It takes about an hour.

Minimum 10 persons/ group

Adults: RM68 / person

Student: RM45 / person

Children: RM45 / person

No. Tel: + 603-2144 9273

Email: info@badanwarisan.org.my

A wonderful experience looking out the window.