Exhibition “Japan: Kingdom of Characters”

HANOI: Opening: Wed 05 Oct,6 pm
Exhibition: 06 – 23 Oct 2011, 8.30 am – 6 pm
Vietnam University of Fine Arts

HUE: Opening: Tue 01 Nov,5 pm
Exhibition: 02 – 13 Nov 2011, 8 am – 6 pm
Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hue

HCMC: Opening: Thu 24 Nov,6 pm
Exhibition: 24 – 04 Dec 2011, 7.30 am – 5 pm
Ho Chi Minh City Museum

From Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam:

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents an exhibition “JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters” in Hanoi, Hue and HCMC. From Ultraman to Hello Kitty, Japanese popular characters come to Vietnam.

In recent years, a subculture related to Japanese anime and manga has rapidly attracted worldwide attention. To make the most of this trend, we brought this exhibition which examines characters as one radical aspect of this subculture.

Used unhesitatingly by both adults and children in private and public spaces, before we realize it, these characters have become a part of our daily landscape. One finds, for example, characters printed on bank passbooks and train commutation passes, and as indicated by the regular and seemingly natural presence of stuffed mascots at local police boxes, they have permeated everyday life in Japan to a degree that would be unthinkable in most other countries.

What exactly is a character? Why are they so popular? What kind of society do these characters reflect and what kind of influence do they exert on that society? And finally, where is Japanese character culture headed?

In this exhibition, all stars of popular characters ranging from Astro Boy, Ultraman, Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Mobile Suit Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pokemon, Haruhi Suzumura, to Sentokun, Hikonyan, Namisuke, are exhibited through standing figures, panels, and DVDs, to introduce the intimate relationship between characters and Japanese people.

We hope that the visitors will gain a better understanding of the cultural and historical background behind the Japanese love of characters as well as the future of characters in contemporary Japan.

This exhibition starts at Vietnam University of Fine Arts in Hanoi from Thursday 6 to Sunday 23 October, followed by at Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hue from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 13 November, and at Ho Chi Minh City Museum in Ho Chi Minh City from Friday 25 November to Sunday 4 December.

Free admission. No closing days

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Ha (091-541-6055)
Mr. Yoshioka (0123-384-4138)
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: 04-39447419 – Email: [email protected]

See some selected artworks here:

Click to enlarge