Exhibition of kimonos in the opening of Japanese language courses at UPT
taught by Camelia Nakagawara
After the success of the Japanese language courses held at UPT's Central Library this spring by Japan's former ambassador to Romania, Kanji Tsushima, Politehnica University Timisoara continues the initiative.
Thus, during the period November 15 - December 6, 2018, the UPT Library organizes a new session of Japanese language courses, taught by Camelia Nakagawara, a postgraduate niponologist at Columbia University (Teachers College), New York (MA in Language Teaching) and the University of Chicago (PhD in East-Asian Languages and Civilizations) and over 20 years of research and teaching experience at university level both in Japan and the United States. And this time, the interest in Japanese courses has raised a high interest among the Timisoara people. About 150 people joined the two groups (beginners and advanced).
Those interested in the Japanese language and culture took part in the opening of the courses, and a surprise: an exhibition of traditional Japanese kimonos in the personal collection of Camelia Nakagawara, who also holds the courses. Some of the pieces of the collection, which includes more than 100 pieces, were displayed in the hall of the Central Library of Politehnica University Timisoara, which are very valuable both because they are unique and old (there are some since 1800) or due to the materials used (gold woven fabric) in their making. Those present at the event were able to find out that they are dressed according to the season, and after the kimono print, they are dressed for important events, such as marriage, funeral ceremonies, or adolescence.
"Japanese culture is a great respect for existence. The Japanese choose the beauty of nature, as they see it, passed through the cultural filter. The kimono is a technique, a multiplicity of technologies. And that's why it is very appropriate to this exhibition that joins the events of the Politehnica Days", said the exhibition's author, Camelia Nakagawara.
