“The Tale of Genji” lecture and historical costume demo packs audiences at Pacific Asia Museum

Cultural News, September 2007

     On Sunday, August 26, Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena hosted a standing-room-only crowd for an afternoon lecture and demonstration entitled “The Tale of Genji Comes to Life: Courtly Kimonos of Japan’s Golden Age,” which was sponsored by Cultural News and Japan Foundation.

     The day began with a presentation by Prof. Hiroaki Sera, Language/Literature Education Specialist at Shikoku University, Tokushima, Japan, on the lifestyle of the courtly class during Japan’s Heian period and the world’s earliest novel “The Tale of Genji.” Prof. Sera’s lecture was presented in Japanese with English translation by Prof. Aki Hirota of California State University, Northridge.

    Following the lecture, the fashions of the time were showcased. Historically accurate costumes used in period dramas were demonstrated by instructors visiting from Seo Shizuko Kimono Gakuin, Tokushima, Japan, followed by a question and answer session.  The kimono instructors included: Ms. Takeko Hiraoka, Ms. Yoshie Ichikawa, Ms. Terumi Kawahara, Ms. Mitsuyo Kudo, Ms. Chiyo Nakagawa, and Ms. Machi Oisaki.

      Six models donated their time: Bryan Bennett, Cecilia Chung, Heidi Li, Crystal Lui, Yoshihiro Nihei, and Yuko Sosa.