The Battalion
esday • June 30,1998
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Photo By Mike Fi'i*ms
The BATrmtm
Tradition Returns
lapanese woodcuts from the '20s and '30s on display in the MSC
By Manisma Parekh
StaffWriter
3r a few short weeks. Aggies
*Wiave the opportunity to experi-
nee a piece of Japanese art and
ftuie by viewing "The Landscape
^.yvisited: The Shin Hanga Move-
:nt,' an exhibition at the J. Wayne
^[Gallery in the MSC.
The Shin Hanga movement was a
odnet of Japan in the 1920s and
30s Literally meaning "new
l^ints " Shin Hanga is a style of pro-
I Btg prints from a relief carving on
| )loek of wood.
Hie style has its roots in the 17th
^BSth centuries when the rising
[tese middle class began to emu-
lethe aristocratic life.
Hcause paintings were too ex-
^■ve for the majority of the mid-
ie(lass, woodblock prints, or ukiyo-
Hcame very popular as a less
(pensive alternative.
Iffl^Batherine Hastedt, a curator for
niTersity Art Exhibits, said that the
f Ajedsof the prints varied.
ij^Bhere were prints of landscapes,
Idi opular kabuki performers, even
rotk prints," Hastedt said. "The
prints could be about anything that
was popular."
The first step in creating a print
involved the artist preparing a
drawing on transparent paper.
Next, the print was pasted onto a
block of wood and the woodcarver
cut the impression of the picture out
of the wood.
Then the printer applied a single
color to the woodblock and pressed
it with the print paper. The color ap
plication and printing process was
repeated for each color until the
print was finished.
"The style fell out of use during
the mid-19th century," Hastedt said.
"It was revived in the 20th century
by a Japanese publisher named
Watanabe. These 'new prints' be
came the Shin Hanga movement."
Watanabe gathered together
some of the most talented starving
artists and began publishing the
Shin Hanga. The Stark Gallery ex
hibit contains works from four of the
Watanabe artists.
"The prints depict landscape
scenes, and it is interesting to see the
influence of Western perspectives on
Japanese art," Hastedt said. "If you
look at these prints, you notice the
i
I Other than those annoying classes you have to take,
you will spend 80% of your time outside the classroom.
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different atmospheric effects, such
as use of light."
Hastedt noted that the prints
have a cartoon-like look to them.
"The artists used broad strokes of
color," she said. "There is a sense of
spontaneity. It is almost as if the
prints were snapshots."
Tina Watkins, a retiree and docent
for the Gallery, said that the Univer
sity is very fortunate to have a
chance to see the exhibit.
"A lot of people could not see
these types of art if it wasn't for the
Gallery," she said. "These exhibits
are set up to educate both students
and faculty."
Phyllis Frederikson, also a docent
for the Gallery, encourages students
to come by the Gallery.
"These exhibits are really for the
student and faculty," Frederikson
said. "You would be amazed that the
prints were made from wood
blocks," she said.
Watkins stressed the beauty of
the works.
"The prints are very elegant and
intriguing. The colors are lovely,"
Watkins said. "I think this is the type
of exhibit that most people can real
ly enjoy."
East
Meets
West
Organization helps students
bridge the gap between A&M
and Japanese cultures
By Gray Whitten
StaffWriter
T exas A&M University opened the Koriyama cam
pus in Japan in 1990 as a bridge between the two
nations and to help potential exchange students
become accustomed to the traditions and language of
their temporary homes. Since that time, approximately
40 students involved with the project have graduated
from the University.
During their stay in the United States, many Japan
ese students have found involvement in student activ
ities makes their stay in Texas much more enjoyable
and educational.
The Japan Club is an organization that offers students
— whether they be Japanese or of any other nationali
ty — a chance to learn more about the Japanese culture
and help others experience some of the
subtleties of Japanese lifestyles.
Kae Takebuno, an A&M journalism
graduate, said the club offers something
for everyone.
"The Japan Club is not for only Japan
ese students, but also Americans and others
interested in Japan. It is a way for me to
teach my culture," Takenobu said.
Takenobu spent all four years of
her college career in College Sta
tion. Others may attend preparato
ry classes at the Koriyama campus
before moving to the United States
for the completion of their education.
"I was there for all four summer sessions,"
Takenobu said, "and it was crazy. In Japan, we
have four seasons ... but here we only have winter and
a long summer."
Takenobu said she enjoyed the longer days and
warmer weather; however, she liked spending time out
doors in Texas.
"If I have to leave here now I'm really going to miss
it," she said.
Bill Stout, former director of the Koriyama campus
and a retired professor of agricultural engineering from
A&M, said many of the program's previous graduates
have moved on to careers in many business and acade
mic fields across the globe, and some attend graduate
schools in the United States.
As of the end of 1997, there were 87 students from the
Koriyama program working toward their degrees. Stout
said in a report from University Relations.
Other students transfer to A&M after completing
their undergraduate work elsewhere.
Tsuyoshi Watanabe, a wildlife & fisheries science
graduate student, came to College Station after com
pleting his undergraduate biology degree in Japan and
then obtaining his master's degree in Connecticut.
After spending time in Japan and various places in
the United States, Watanabe had good things to say
about A&M.
"It's completely different ... the professors are so
friendly and supportive and helpful," Watanabe said of
the differences between the student-teacher relation
ships in Japan and America.
"In Japan, the students sometimes can't talk to the
professor ... it's much better here."
Watanabe said.
While the University is not well-
known in Japan, Watanabe said he en
joys A&M's fame in the United States.
"When I first got here, I thought it
was just a small college town ...
but there are lots of interna
tional students here, and a lot
of diversity," he said.
Watanabe also was a member
of the Japan Club at A&M and sug
gested it as a good way to meet stu
dents of all nationalities, as well as
those from his country.
After completing classes here in College Station,
Watanabe will move on to a research project that will
likely take him to Siberia next summer.
His team will be researching the migration of cranes
using satellite telemetry tracking methods. The project
will be a multi-national venture, including American,
Russian, Canadian and Mexican researchers.
Takenobu said she felt that the new environment has
greatly influenced her life.
"I think that all the people I met gave me many ideas
and ways to think. Different countries have different
backgrounds and bases of life ... to understand them, I
have to understand their backgrounds first," she said.
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