[:it]Japan Italy: Etegami “Alla scoperta dell’Italia attraverso gli occhi dei bambini giapponesi”[:en]Japan Italy: Etegami “Discovering Italy through the eyes of Japanese children”[:ja]Japan Italy: Etegami “Discovering Italy through the eyes of Japanese children”[:]
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Etegami: alla scoperta dell’Italia attraverso gli occhi dei bambini giapponesi
L’Italia si sa, è uno dei Paesi più belli e apprezzati nel mondo non solo grazie ai bellissimi paesaggi, ma soprattutto alla profonda ricchezza culturale che la nostra nazione offre. Dal 16 giugno 2017, a Pisa, è in corso la mostra “Etegami. Come i bambini giapponesi vedono l’Italia”. Questa mostra è stata organizzata dalla Fondazione Italia Giappone e patrocinata dal Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, dall’Ambasciata del Giappone e dall’Istituto Giapponese di Cultura. In esposizione ci sono i lavori di diversi bambini giapponesi ai quali è stato chiesto di descrivere l’Italia con i loro occhi. I risultati non sono solo impressionanti ma anche commoventi.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Ma cos’è precisamente un Etegami? L’Etegami è uno dei metodi più popolari e più amati dal popolo giapponese. Consiste nel disegnare immagini semplici accompagnate da messaggi brevi e sentiti utilizzano inchiostro nero per definire contorni e scritte, ed acquerelli colorati per realizzare gli interni. Nonostante non tutte le cartoline inviate dai bambini seguissero questo stile preciso, tutte si basavano sui 7 principi cardine dell’Etegami, fissati da Kunio Koike negli anni Sessanta.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
I 7 principi cardine dell’Etegami
Dal sito della Fondazione Italia Giappone:
1. Essere bravi va bene, non essere bravi va meglio
Il motto delle Etegami è “essere bravi va bene, non essere bravi è meglio”.
Se il disegno è stato fatto con impegno e con sentimento non è necessario essere stati abili. In una Etegami scritta in modo personale e con impegno si avverte la personalità di un individuo. La cosa importante è il modo di intendere questa cartolina: l’opera deve essere unica e originale; anche se non si è bravi è un’opera unica.
2. Non fare la brutta copia
Nelle Etegami non esiste il concetto di “ho sbagliato..!”. Quindi, ogni volta si fa sul serio. Quando facciamo la brutta copia abbiamo l’idea di dover fare nel modo migliore e di fare un lavoro splendido preoccupandoci di fare bella figura.
L’apparenza finisce per avere la priorità su un’opera che ci identifichi. E’ una cartolina riuscita se mostra il volto al naturale della persona che l’ha realizzata. Le Etegami improvvisata e senza brutta copia deve trasmettere lo stato d’animo del momento in cui è stata scritta e ciò che si voleva esprimere in quell’attimo.
3. Disegnare dopo aver osservato bene e disegnare in grande
Le Etegami non hanno un modello imposto. Al contrario, hanno “il principio di fissare strenuamente senza mai distogliere lo sguardo”, cioè disegnare dopo aver osservato attentamente l’originale. Se guardiamo attentamente la frutta, la verdura, i fiori e tutte le altre cose che sono intorno a noi, ci accorgiamo di particolari che fino ad allora non avevamo notato.
Sulle cartoline “Etegami” suggeriamo di “disegnare in grande”. Aumentando le dimensioni anche due o tre volte e a furia di guardare con attenzione, quasi senza accorgersene, lo spirito di osservazione si andrà affinando. Anche se sulla cartolina non ci sta tutto il disegno, non è un problema. La persona che guarda immaginerà a modo suo la parte non disegnata.
4. Raffigurare una cosa sola
Alle persone che per la prima volta iniziano a disegnare una Etegami, consigliamo di scegliere un solo soggetto. E’ necessario continuare a fissarlo senza distoglierne lo sguardo.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
5. Tracciare le linee con cura e lentamente
Quando facciamo le linee di contorno in fretta, finiamo per dimenticare di osservare con attenzione. Se disegniamo lentamente possiamo farlo concentrandoci. Inoltre, più si procede lentamente, più facilmente penetra il sentimento. Lo scopo di tracciare una linea lentamente è “disegnare concentrando tutte le nostre energie nel pensare alla persona alla quale è dedicata”. Infatti un tratto espressivo è qualcosa che appare solo quando tracciamo un segno con tutte le nostre energie.
Quindi l’importante è disegnare concentrandosi per esprimere il proprio sentimento.
6. Spedire sempre quello che si è fatto
Spediamo sempre le Etegami che abbiamo fatto! Il senso di una cartolina non è: quando sono diventato bravo, la spedisco; visto che non è venuta come volevo non la spedisco! L’idea di fare uno sbaglio non appartiene alle Etegami. Quand’anche uno pensa di aver fatto male le Etegami, visto che è stata fatta secondo la propria personalità, questa rimane come ciò che ha fatto in quel momento. C’è un fascino particolare in questo.
Le Etegami distribuiscono felicità. Sia le persone che le disegnano sia quelle che le ricevono si divertono e diventano allegre. Spediamole sempre.
7. Scrivere le parole con il cuore
E’ importante che le parole a corredo del disegno siano poche e che siano scritte con naturalezza così come sono state sentite nel proprio animo. Non bisogna preoccuparsi se non sempre queste parole hanno relazione con le cose raffigurate.
Il bello delle Etegami è che non importa essere schiavi della rigida forma epistolare. Non sono necessarie le forme iniziali di saluto che si trovano di solito nelle lettere. Scriviamo con una calligrafia chiara pensando solo a chi leggerà.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
I bambini si sa, sono il futuro del nostro mondo e l’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Tokyo ha chiesto a diversi bambini giapponesi di disegnare l’Italia secondo la loro fantasia. I bambini delle scuole elementari e medie di tutto il Giappone hanno accolto questa richiesta e hanno disegnato oltre 25.000 Etegami che sono ora esposti a Pisa, al Museo della Grafica.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
E’ emozionante vedere come questi disegni ci mostrino immagini curiose e suggestive di come i bambini del sol levante vedano il nostro bel Paese. Una visione dell’Italia in stile manga e anime, con all’interno le speranze, la fantasia e i sogni dei piccoli nipponici.
L’iniziativa nasce nell’ambito della Rassegna Italia in Giappone, la prima e più importante iniziativa promozionale del Sistema Italia all’estero. Iniziativa che ha visto il nostro paese protagonista in oltre 800 eventi in tutto il Giappone.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Edito da Polistampa, il catalogo della mostra ha una selezione di 300 Etegami suddivisi in sezioni dedicate alle città e monumenti storici, o aspetti caratteristici della vita e della cultura italiana come la musica e la cucina. C’è anche una particolare sezione dedicata interamente al personaggio di Pinocchio.
Una giuria composta da rappresentanti degli enti organizzatori e dal Professor Shigetoshi Osano, professore di Storia dell’Arte all’Università di Tokyo, ha selezionato i lavori più belli da pubblicare. Sono stati inoltre nominati tre vincitori ai quali è stato permesso di venire in Italia ospiti di Alitalia – Italia Tours.
Photo Credits : http://www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it
E’ possibile vedere la mostra dal 16 giugno 2017 al 30 settembre 2017 presso il Museo della grafica di Palazzo Lanfranchi a Pisa.
Info e Contatti:
museodellagrafica@adm.unipi.it
http://www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it[:en]
Etegami: discovering Italy through the eyes of Japanese children
Italy is recognized as one of the most beautiful and appreciated countries of the world thanks to not only its beautiful landscapes but also for the profound cultural riches that our country offers. An exhibition called “Etegami. How Japanese children see Italy” is being held in Pisa from June 16, 2017. This exhibition has been organized by the Japan Italy Foundation and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Cultural Institute. On display are the works of several Japanese children who were asked to describe Italy as they see it through their eyes. The results are not only impressive but also touching.
Photo Credits: http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
But what exactly is an Etegami? An Etegami is one of the most popular and loved methods used by Japanese people. It consists of a simple drawing accompanied by a short and heartfelt message using black ink to define lines and writing, and watercolours to realize the insides. Even if not all the postcards sent by children were done in this precise style, each and every one of them was based on the 7 fundamental principles of the Etegami, established by Kunio Koike in the 60s.
Photo Credits: http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
The 7 fundamental principles of Etegami
From the Japan Italy Foundation official site:
1. Being good is fine, but not being good is better
The motto of Etegami is “Being good is fine, but not being good is better”. If the drawing was done with commitment and passion it is not necessary to have high drawing skills. In an Etegami written in a personal style and with commitment, the personality of an individual is easily perceived. The most important thing is the way we look at the postcard: it has to be unique and original; even if you are not skilled it will still remain a unique piece of art.
2. Do not make a draft
In an Etegami, the concept of “I made a mistake..!” does not exist. So, every piece is the real thing. When we make a draft there’s the idea that we need to do everything in the best way and create a work of perfection while worrying about making a good impression. Appearance ends up taking priority over something that identifies ourselves. A postcard is deemed as a success when it is able to show the natural demeanour of the person who made it. An impromptu Etegami without a draft has to convey the mood of the moment in which it was realized and what it was meant to express is that moment.
3. Draw after an attentive observation and draw ‘big’
An Etegami does not have an imposed model. On the contrary, it has “the principle of strenuously gaze without averting the eyes”, or else, it is drawn after an attentive observation of the original subject. If we look hard at fruits, vegetables, flowers and all the other things that surround us, we will notice details we didn’t notice before.
On “Etegami” postcards, we are advised to ‘draw big’. By increasing the size even two or three times the original, and through strenuous and attentive observation, our observation spirit will gradually sharpen without us realising it. Even if the card cannot contain the whole drawing it’s okay. The person looking at it will imagine the cut out parts in their own way.
4. Represent only one thing
To those who start to draw an Etegami for the first time, we suggest that they choose only one object. It is necessary to stare at it without averting the eyes from it.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
5. Draw each line carefully and slowly
When we draw contour lines quickly we end up forgetting to observe with attention. If we draw slowly we can really focus on what we are doing. Moreover, the more slowly you proceed, the easier it will be for the feeling to penetrate. The aim of drawing a line slowly is “drawing while concentrating all our energies into thinking about the person to whom it is dedicated”. In fact, an expressive line is something that only appears when we trace it with all our energies. So, the important thing is to draw while focusing on expressing our own feelings.
6. Always send what you have done
Let’s always send the Etegami we have realized! The meaning of this postcard is not: I’ll send it when I’ve become skilled; since it did not come out as I wanted it to, I won’t send it! The idea of making a mistake does not belong to Etegami. Even if one thinks he made a wrong Etegami, since it has been made according to his own personality, it still is what he did in that moment. There is a particular charm in this.
Etegami distribute happiness. Both people who draw them and people who receive them have fun and become cheerful. Let’s always send them out.
7. Write words with all your heart
It is important that the words that accompany the drawing are few and that they are written naturally, as you have felt them in your mind. Do not worry if these words do not always relate to the things that are depicted. The good thing of Etegami is that it does not chain you to the rigid epistolary style. There is no need for the initial greeting formula usually found in letters. Let’s write with a clear handwriting thinking only of whom will read it.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Children are the future of our world, we all know this, and the The Italian Institute of Culture in Tokyo has asked several Japanese children to draw Italy based on their imagination. Primary and middle school children across Japan have met this request and have drawn over 25,000 Etegami that are now exhibited in Pisa, at the Museum of Graphics.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
It is exciting to see how these drawings show us curious and suggestive images of how children of the rising sun country see our beautiful nation. A vision of Italy in in manga/anime style, filled with hopes, imagination and dreams of little Japanese children.
The initiative was born as part of ‘Italy in Japan’, the first and most important promotional initiative of the Sistema Italia (Italian System) abroad. Initiative that has seen our country protagonist in over 800 events throughout Japan.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Published by Polistampa, the catalog of the exhibition contains a selection of 300 Etegami divided into sections dedicated to cities and historical monuments, or characteristic aspects of Italian life and culture such as music and cooking. And there is also a special section entirely devoted to Pinocchio’s character.
A jury of representatives of the organizing authorities together with Professor Shigetoshi Osano, professor of Art History at the University of Tokyo, selected the most beautiful works to be published. Three winners were also nominated and were allowed to come to Italy as guests of Alitalia – Italia Tours.
Photo Credits : http://www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it
It is possible to see the exhibition from June 16 to September 30, 2017, at the Museum of Graphics at Palazzo Lanfranchi in Pisa.
Info & Contact:
museodellagrafica@adm.unipi.it
http://www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it[:ja]
Etegami: discovering Italy through the eyes of Japanese children
Italy is recognized as one of the most beautiful and appreciated countries of the world not only thanks to its beautiful landscapes, but mainly for the profound cultural riches that our country offers. From June 16, 2017, in Pisa, is taking place an exhibition called “Etegami. How Japanese children see Italy”. This exhibition has been organized by the Japan Italy Foundation and by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Cultural Institute. On display, there are the works of several Japanese children that were asked to describe Italy as they see it through their eyes. The results are not only impressive but also touching.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
But what is an Etegami exactly? An Etegami is one of the most popular and loved methods used by Japanese people. It consists in a simple drawing accompanied by a short and heartfelt message using black ink to define lines and writing, and watercolors to realize the insides. Even if not all the postcards sent by children were realized following this precise style, each and every one of them were based on the 7 fundamental principle of the Etegami, established by Kunio Koike in the 60s.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
The 7 fundamental principle of Etegami
From the Japan Italy Foundation official site:
1. Being good is fine, but not being good is better
The motto of Etegami is “Being good is fine, but not being good is better”. If the drawing was done with commitment and passion it is not necessary to have high drawing skills. In an Etegami written in a personal style and with commitment, the personality of an individual is easily perceived. The most important thing is the way we look at the postcard: it has to be unique and original; even if you are not skilled it will still remain a unique piece of art.
2. Do not make a draft
In an Etegami, it doesn’t exists the concept of “I made a mistake..!”. So, every time is the real thing. When we make a draft there’s the idea that we need to do everything in the best way and realize a perfect work worrying about making a good impression. Appearance ends up having priority over something that identifies us. A postcard is successful when it is able to show the natural face of the person who made it. An impromptu Etegami without a draft has to convey the mood of the moment in which it was realized and what it was meant to express is that moment.
3. Draw after an attentive observation and draw ‘big’
An Etegami does not have an imposed model. On the contrary, it has “the principle of strenuously gaze without averting the eyes”, or else, it is drawn after an attentive observation of the original subject. If we attentively look at fruit, vegetables, flowers and all the other things that surround us, we will notice details we didn’t notice before.
On “Etegami” postcards we advice to ‘draw big’. By increasing the size even two or three times the original, and by a strenuous and attentive observation, almost without noticing it, our observation spirit will gradually sharpen. Even if the card cannot contain the whole drawing it’s ok. The person watching it will imagine the cut out part in his/her own way.
4. Represent only one thing
To those who start to draw an Etegami for the first time we suggest they choose only one object. It is necessary to stare at it without averting the eyes from it.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
5.Draw each line carefully and slowly
When we draw contour lines quickly we end up forgetting to observe with attention. If we draw slowly we can really focus on what we are doing. Moreover, the more you proceed slowly, the easier it will be for the feeling to penetrate. The aim of drawing a line slowly is “drawing concentrating all our energies in thinking about the person to whom it is dedicated”. In fact an expressive line is something that only appears when we trace it with all our energies. So, the important thing is to draw focusing on expressing our own feelings.
6.Always send what you have done
Let’s always send the Etegami we have realized! The meaning of this postcard is not: I’ll send it when I’ve become skilled; since it did not come out as I wanted it to, I won’t send it! The idea of making a mistake does not belong to Etegami. Even if one thinks he made a wrong Etegami, since it has been made according to his own personality, it still is what he did in that moment. There is a particular charm in this.
Etegami distribute happiness. Both people who draw them and people who receive them have fun and become cheerful. Let’s always send them out.
7.Write words with all your heart
It is important that the words that accompany the drawing are few and that they are written naturally, as you have felt them in your mind. Do not worry if these words do not always relate to the things that are depicted. The good thing of Etegami is that it does not chain you to the rigid epistolary style. There is no need for the initial greeting formula usually found in letters. Let’s write with a clear handwriting thinking only of whom will read it.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Children are the future of our world, we all know this, and the The Italian Institute of Culture in Tokyo has asked several Japanese children to draw Italy according to their imagination. Primary and middle school children across Japan have met this request and have drawn over 25,000 Etegami that are now exhibited in Pisa, at the Museum of Graphics.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
It is exciting to see how these drawings show us curious and suggestive images of how children of the rising sun country see our beautiful nation. A vision of Italy in in manga/anime style, filled with hopes, imagination and dreams of little Japanese children.
The initiative was born as part of ‘Italy in Japan’, the first and most important promotional initiative of the Sistema Italia (Italian System) abroad. Initiative that has seen our country protagonist in over 800 events throughout Japan.
Photo Credits : http://www.italiagiappone.it/attivita_etegami.html
Published by Polistampa, the catalog of the exhibition contains a selection of 300 Etegami divided into sections dedicated to cities and historical monuments, or characteristic aspects of Italian life and culture such as music and cooking. And there is also a special section entirely devoted to Pinocchio’s character.
A jury of representatives of the organizing authorities together with Professor Shigetoshi Osano, professor of Art History at University of Tokyo, selected the most beautiful works to be published. Three winners were also nominated and were allowed to come to Italy as guests of Alitalia – Italia Tours.
Photo Credits : http://www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it
It is possible to see the exhibition from June 16, 2017 to September 30, 2017 at the Museum of Graphics at Palazzo Lanfranchi in Pisa.
Info & Contacts:
museodellagrafica@adm.unipi.it