Remarks by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at the Shepparton Ukiyo-e Exhibition on 8 Mrach 2013
The Honourable Jeanette Powell, State Member for Shepparton, and Minster for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,
Councillor Jenny Houlihan, Mayor, and Members of Greater Shepparton City Council,
Ms Kirsten Paisley, Director of Shepparton Art Museum,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
I appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of the exhibition of the Golden Age of Color Prints: Ukiyo-e.
At the outset, as next Monday will be the two year anniversary day of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, my utmost gratitude to the sincere sympathy and massive support extended to Japan from Shepparton, Victoria, and Australia.
The affected areas are on their way to recovery, and Japan intends to repay everyone’s kindness by strongly contributing to the international community again.
I am glad to note that the sister-city relationship between Greater Shepparton and Toyoake celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
I hear that this exhibition has been prepared after and building upon the visit of SAM Director Paisley to Toyoake and its bordering Nagoya which has a sister museum of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Between Australia and Japan there are 109 sister-city/ sister-state arrangements, the largest for Australia, larger than Australia’s such arrangements with any other country.
The Japanese language is the most learned foreign language in Australia and has been designated as one of the four priority foreign languages in the White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century.
With respect to economic relations, Japan had long been Australia’s largest trading partner.
Japan is still a major trading partner and has remained the largest source of trade surplus for Australia.
What is more, an EPA/FTA is under negotiation between our two countries. So we expect more in terms of our economic relationship.
Against the background of these strong friendly and cooperative relations between Australia and Japan, I wholeheartedly welcome this Golden Age exhibition.
Works of Ukiyo-e, literally translated “pictures of the floating world” were produced from the 17th century to the 20th century in Japan, of beauties, actors, sumo wrestlers, and landscapes, among others, in unique Japanese manners.
Woodblock printing helped mass production of the pictures which were affordable to ordinary people in Japan.
It is well known that Ukiyo-e had a strong impact on the impressionist artists in Europe.
Here and now, we have works of Torii Kiyonaga, Kitagawa Utamaro and Toshusai Sharaku: the leading Ukiyo-e artists in its Golden Age.
Even in Japan it is difficult to view the Ukiyo-e works of these masters and their contemporary artists as many as almost 100, unless at the touring exhibitions of the collections of the Boston Fine Arts Museum.
So my wife and I were looking forward to coming here to view these Ukiyo-e works at this exhibition, one of the largest Ukiyo-e exhibitions ever held in Australia.
Congratulations, Greater Shepparton City!
Congratulations, SAM!
And congratulations, in particular, Director Kirsten Paisley!
I am confident that all guests here will enjoy this exhibition.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my appreciation also to the initiatives taken by SAM, Greater Shepparton City and other organizations and individuals for various other programs relating to Japan on the occasion of this Ukiyo-e exhibition.
Having said this, it is my honour and pleasure to declare the Golden Age of Color Prints Ukiyo-e from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, here in Shepparton Art Museum, officially open.
Thank you.