Special Lectures on Constructive Inheritance of Traditions

Special Lectures on Constructive Inheritance of Traditions
The past, present and future of the weaving cultures of
Japan and the Mekong region

On the occasion of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009, the Japan Foundation, Bangkok will organize a series of special lectures on "Constructive Inheritance of Traditions: the Past, Present and Future of the Weaving Cultures of Japan and the Mekong region" by Prof. Shinobu Yoshimoto of National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, on 11th November 2009 (Wed.) at Lecture Room 114, College of Arts, Media and Technology (CAMT), Chiang Mai University and 14th November 2009 (Sat.) at Research Institute of Northeastern Art and Culture, Mahasarakham University. This lecture will discuss the cultural aspects of Asian textiles including Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, China and Thailand, as to understand the ways of life of those people in the country and finding new perspectives of how their textiles will survive during the rapid globalizing economy and marketing.

What is the meaning of "tradition"?
How can tradition be inherited in a constructive and creative way?

A rich variety of weaving cultures has been developed and inherited from one generation to another through years of wide-area exchanges in the Mekong River Basin. However, mass consumption and standardized manufacturing are now spreading around the world, where manufacturers cannot "see" the users of their products and in turn remain "faceless" from the perspective of the users. Against this backdrop, the tidal wave of globalization is sweeping across the field of traditional crafts as well. Is it then possible for manufacturers and users to sustain and develop their weaving traditions as something precious that should be nurtured and expanded, while they are being tossed and turned by this mighty tide? Is it possible to maintain low-volume manufacturing in small societies, and seek industrial development of traditional crafts with well-balanced demand and supply? With awareness of these issues, Japanese and local textile experts will discuss the establishment of sustainable mechanisms for constructive inheritance of traditions.
Dr. Keiko YUKIMATSU
Lecturer's Profile

Professor Shinobu Yoshimoto is a Professor at the Department of Cultural Research of the National Museum of Ethnology. Engaged in cross-cultural research of weaving techniques around the world as well as the batik and ikat cultures of Indonesia and other countries. Having graduated from a university of fine arts, Professor Yoshimoto has a wealth of first-hand experience in the art of weaving and dyeing. Furthermore, he was born to a family of kimono shop owners and is thus able to develop on wide-ranging discussions from the perspective of distribution of textile products as well. His major publications include Jawa Sarasa (Java Batik) and Indonesia Senshoku Taikei (Traditional Dyeing and Weaving of Indonesia). In September 2009, Professor Yoshimoto planned and organized the exhibition "Try on! Check out! Asian textiles today" in Fukuoka.