Message from rboller

[Anonymous]

Yesterday, I went to the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena to see the exhibit "Reflections of Beauty: Women from Japan’s Floating World". I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibit, which featured works of art from the floating world or ukiyo from about 1603 to 1868.

These works focused on the geisha, with many of the pieces showing them in the act of constructing their beauty, entertaining, dancing, attending parties or engaging in leisure activities around Edo.

There were photographs and objects from the period including makeup sets, hair ornaments and kimonos. The pieces I most enjoyed were several "mitate" (pictures in imaginary settings that involved a new context or seeing of the subject). One of these showed a Japanese beauty with a Chinese patriarch. The accompanying text explained that this pairing was frequently made and was intended to represent sexual fulfillment with spiritual enlightenment. This association of the beautiful geisha with figures representing Chinese culture was also said to be an attempt to represent the military government of the Edo period's seduction by the merchant class.

I was also able to view the rest of the museum collections and found them interesting and beautiful. My 10 year old son was charmed by the display of "netsuke" masks, which were small wooden carved weights attached to the obi to counterbalance other items. I was somewhat fascinated by an ornate necklace from Tibet, which was described as a part of a "ritual bone apron". This necklace was carved from human bone and was amazing.

I was quite lucky to visit the museum at this time as the gift shop is being reorganized and their merchandise is being offered at large discounts. I picked up some lovely items for my classroom including a gorgeous umbrella and some paper lanterns.

In terms of instructional applications of the Pacific Asia Museum, it would make an outstanding fieldtrip destination with my students. If I cannot manage the logistics of a field trip, I did find that their homepage has links to much of their collections, if not the special exhibits. Perhaps my students can take a "virtual" trip to the museum.