Saturday, April 5, 2008

Fun at the Japanese Embassy



This afternoon we went to the official opening of an art exhibit of the illustrations from this book. The illustrator, Karen Brownlee, is a cousin of our friend Jim Brownlee so we accompanied him and his wife Clara to Karen's show at the Embassy. The original illustrations are large - many of them 50" long, down in Japanese brush stroke painting and are an awesome blend of Japanese and Canadian cultures and themes.

Sakura is a cherry blossom tree. The book is the story of 3 sisters who came to Canada as "picture" brides about 100 years ago. It was written for 4-8 year olds.

There were speeches, presentations, refreshments (both Japanese and Canadian), a play based on the book, and several traditional Japanese dances - and, of course, the amazingly beautiful illustrations. A lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Before the exhibit, we all met for lunch at the Earl of Sussex Pub - lovely renovation and decor, great food, Kilkenny. We were quite impressed UNTIL we went downstairs to the washrooms before walking to the Embassy - these washrooms would have been right at home in the seedy night spots of Hull 40 years ago or any men's tavern of the last 100 years. Yuck!!!

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