***** Shukado Newsletter Vol.15 My First Trip to Moscow *****
***** http://wwww.japanese-finearts.com/ June 25th,2008 *****
Dear Customers and Friends,
Hello! This is Chiaki sending Shukado Newsletter vol.15. I was away from office earlier to see the Moscow Art Fair.
After the Soviet Union collapsed about 15 years ago, Russia went under the political and economic turmoil then recently it is enjoying rapid economic growth.
Among the inbound overseas tourists in Japan, Russians and Chinese tourists are dramatically increasing and now we cannot ignore their economic impact.
I had been longing for visiting there to see what is going on in Russia where once people suffered from the food shortage after the collapse of its economy but now they are enjoying glorious economic growth.
As our staff Ikuko-san had been in Russia for many years in the past and I heard about my relative's company, Shibunkaku's participation in the Moscow Art Fair, I decided to see the fair with my own eyes.
On 31st May, I arrived at the Sheremetyevo II airport in the evening and my adventurous trip began with a lot of surprises.
I had heard Sheremetyevo II is one of the worst airport in the world. ...That was exactly truth. Genarally, most international airports are very modern and well designed for the natinal pride, but this airport is rather a kind of prison...dirty and unfriendly. But that was expected from the first, so I did not be surprised. Fortunately quickly finished the passport control,passed away unlicensed taxi drivers surrounding the passengers,we quickly walked and got on a taxi which we reserved through a travel agency.
Let me start with my trivial surprises I experienced in Moscow. Those things are so trivial that they would not be taken up by media but I found that they are very impressive.
My Trivial Surprise 1: Snow in Moscow in June?
When I saw white things piled up on the ground, I thought it snowed in Moscow even in June. But they were not snow! They were fluff of Poplars. Many of Muscovities are allergic to them. They can be seen in early summer.
My Trivial Surprise 2: The Speed of Escalators
I was surprised by the speed of the escalators in Moscow. They were so fast that my feet were nearly carried off by the step of the escalator. I have never seen such fact escalators in other countries I have visited.
Guessing from this, I believe that Moscovities must be the most impetuous in
the world.
My Trivial Surprise 3: Everything is so BIG!
Everything in Russia is so big. The buildings are enormous and ceiling and a door are so high. When I stayed in a hotel there, I was impressed by the height of the ceiling and the gigantic door. Although I did not measure their sizes with a scale, I guess the ceiling seemed to be nearly 4 meters high and the door 3 meters high.
Before I went to Russia, I was wondering why Russian billionaires always want to have extremely large rooms and use helicopters. After my visit to Moscow, I found that such acts are coming from their surrounding environment.
My Trivial Surprise 4: Unlicensed taxis
Unlicensed taxis is very general in Moscow. People in Moscow could go everywhere by lifting a hand by the road to stop a car drived by a non-professinal driver. Then they negotiate him where to go and how much.
I heard this fact from my staff Ikuko, and it was felt very convenient for us and we could go to many places in Moscow by this way.
After encountering such surprises, I realized that I will not able to understand things without seeing with my naked eyes.
I would like to write details of the Moscow Art Fair in the next newsletter.
Well, let me introduce our latest recommended items before I wrap up this newsletter.
*******************
New Arrivals
*******************
Tanomura Chokunyu, Hana-jyu-shi/Flowes, Beautiful Nanping School Painting Scroll
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108000660/
Tanomura Chokunyu (1814-1907) was born in Oita, southern Japan. He is one of the representative Nanga painters. Nanga is a painting style adopting some Chinese flavors.
He initially used the name Kotora then named himself Chokunyu. He was taught by his uncle of the Kano school, Okamoto Baisetsu and Tanomura Chukuden. Chikuden found his talent and he succeeded family name of Tanomura. Chokunyu made a great contribution to the foundation of the modern Nanga paintings.
This is a flower painting of the Nanpin school style, which is famous for beautiful shades and colors. This artwork is not a typical painting of Chokunyu's. He is the founder of modern Nanga and well-known for Indian ink paintings.
He created this artwork when he was 36. Details of flower petals are skillfully drawn with fine lines and the details of the flowers are decoratively and neatly painted. This artwork evokes viewers of the feelings of his passion for pursuit of different painting skills.
And More:
Kosugi Hoan "A Witch", Framed Painting
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108000420/
Watanabe Seitei "Autumn Plants", Kakejiku Hanging Scroll
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108001740/
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), Genji-ko no zu Shii-ga-moto, The Tale of Genji, Ukiyo-e Print
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2.php?number=1080026104&spid=S4859fa81ea2c0
That is all for this week.
Thank you for taking your precious time for reading this newsletter to the end.
Have a wonderful week!
Chiaki Tanaka, President, Shukado Co., Ltd.
**We are sending Shukado News Letter - the information of
new arrivals.
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