Meet Japan without leaving Los AngelesPacific Asia Museum
Lotus Moon: The Art of Otagaki Rengetsu in the gallery of Japanese art, Feb. 8 - May 11
Cultural News, January 2008
Plate: Kashiki, stoneware; glaze, 1.25" H x 6.375" DIA, Gift of James D. and Veronica H. Roorda (Photo courtesy of Pacific Asia Museum)
Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena presents a new exhibition, Lotus Moon: The Art of Otagaki Rengetsu in the gallery of Japanese art. The exhibition will be on view from Feb. 8 through May 11, and features paintings, poetry cards and ceramic vessels.
Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was a Buddhist nun, a woman of great beauty and one of Japan's most celebrated artists of 19th century. Admired primarily for her exquisite calligraphy, Rengetsu was also a poet and ceramic artist, often inscribing her poems in her own calligraphy onto ceramic vessels, a unique blending of art forms by any artist in Japanese history. Her work was so popular during her lifetime that every household in Kyoto was said to own her pottery, and today scrolls and ceramics bearing her calligraphy are highly sought after.
Rengetsu's art work radiates vitality, grace and humility - though her life was full of tragedy. Born Nobu, probably the illegitimate child of a courtesan and a noble, the young girl was adopted by the samurai Otagaki Teruhisa and his wife.
As a child, she was sent to Kameoka Castle to serve as a lady-in-waiting; there, she was trained in traditional arts. Nobu married twice and bore five children, all of whom died. At the age of 33, she owed to never marry again and joined her father at the Chion'in temple, where she took the name Rengetsu, meaning "Lotus Moon."
After her father's death, Rengetsu left the temple and supported herself by making pottery decorated with her poetry. Her ceramics were greatly admired, and orders from tea masters and other customers kept her very busy; her poetry was published in two collections during her lifetime.
This exhibition is curated by Meher McArthur, Pacific Asia Museum Consulting Curator for Japanese Art. McArthur studied Japanese at Cambridge University and earned her MA in Japanese art at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Her publications include Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols (2002) and The Arts of Asia: Materials, Techniques, Styles (2005), both published by Thames & Hudson.
To enhance visitor understanding and appreciation, Pacific Asia Museum presents a Curator's Tour with McArthur at 1 p.m. Feb. 16. In addition, 2 p.m. Mar. 29, Rev. Myoan Grace Schireson, Ph.D. will present a lecture "Touching Enlightenment," exploring how Rengetsu's practice and enlightenment manifested itself in ways we can touch and experience directly. Both events are free with admission. Call (626) 449-2742 ext. 31 for RSVP.
Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. Museum opens Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $7 general, $5 students/seniors, and free for children ages 11 and younger. Admission is free every 4th Friday of the month. For more information check www.pacificasiamuseum.org or call (626) 449-2742.
Related Events
Saturday, February 16, 2008, 1 p.m.
Curator's Tour
Lotus Moon: the Art of Otagaki Rengetsu with guest curator Meher McArthur. Free with admission.
Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m.
Lecture
Otagaki Rengetsu was a poet, calligrapher, potter – and Buddhist nun. Rev. Myoan Grace Schireson, Ph.D. explores how Rengetsu’s practice and enlightenment manifested itself in ways we can touch and experience directly. Myoan Schireson is a Zen teacher and ordained Buddhist priest in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. Free with admission, call ext. 31 to RSVP.
Sunday, April 13, 2 p.m.
Lecture
“Chado & Clay: The Way of Tea and Clay” with Julie Hunter “Sori” Bagish
Chado, or the Way of Tea, is an ancient art form embodying the idea of ichigo ichie, (This moment, now). The scroll displayed at a ceremony, for example, is the poetic expression of the event’s time, place, and purpose. Rengetsu embodied this by her use of poetic calligraphy on both clay and paper. Ms. Bagish, a celebrated ceramicist and tea teacher, will explore these interactions, demonstrate Rengetsu’s inscription technique, and share Tea objects to touch.
Sunday, May 4, 2 pm Authors on Asia
Poets on Site
Members of Poets on Site will conduct a tour of the museum exhibition, Lotus Moon: The Art of Otagaki Rengetsu, reading from their new book of poems inspired by art in the exhibit. Reservations strongly recommended as space is limited in the Japanese Gallery. Books will be available at all programs for purchase or signing. For reservations, please call ext. 20. Programs are free with admission.