FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDE
ART OF JAPAN
Family Day: Art of Japan These simple arts & crafts projects were inspired by the Japanese lacquer boxes, scroll paintings, and kimono on view in our exhibition Gifts of Gold: The Art of Japanese Lacquer Boxes!
Cover: Okada Yoshio, Box with Full Moon Above the Clouds, 2016. On loan from Erik and Cornelia Thomsen
Origami Book Corners (From Scholastic, https://bit.ly/scholastic_origami) Several pieces in our exhibition took inspiration from the famous Japanese novel The Tale of Genji, like this writing box:
Writing Box with Genji Scene, 18th century, maki-e gold lacquer on wood. Private Collection, courtesy of Erik Thomsen
Do you like to read, too? Make yourself a bookmark to keep your place in your favorite book!
Supplies: • Paper • Scissors • Glue • Tape • Marker
1. Lay a 6” square of paper on the table top in a diamond position.
2. Fold the diamond in half, taking the bottom corner to the top to form a triangle.
3. With the triangle pointing up, you can then take the bottom left point up to meet the center point at the top and crease firmly.
4. Repeat with the right corner. The paper should now be a smaller, folded diamond.
5. Release the folds.
6. Taking the top layer of paper only, fold the top point to the bottom of the triangle.
7. Fold the right triangle up and fold and tuck to form a pocket.
8. Repeat the same folds and tucks with the right side of the triangle.
9. You should have a triangle pocket!
10. Cut out 2 circles for eyes, a row of fangs and a smaller square for the mouth.
11. Glue everything to the green paper. Continue to decorate the completed bookmark with markers, paper scraps, or stickers.
DIY Mini Koinobori (Japanese Flying Carp) (from Squirrelly Minds, https://bit.ly/squirrellyminds)
Supplies: • Tissue paper • White paper • Toilet paper role • Scissors • Glue stick • Marker • Ribbon, twine, or raffia
1. In 3-4 colors, cut out several circles of tissue paper that are about 1.5 inches in diameter, then cut those in half to make semi circles. Place a piece of double sided tape around the bottom of your roll. Start placing the straight edge of each semi circle on the double sided tape, overlapping slightly so no roll shows underneath. Ensure the curved end of the semi circle hangs off the roll so it isn’t attached. This end will be the fish’s tail. Complete all the way around. 2. Leave a 2-inch gap and place another strip of double sided tape around the roll, repeating with the semi circles. The color order doesn’t matter much, just do what you think looks good. You will have to overlap a fair bit and not all the ends will be taped down. Leave them. The next layer should cover them.
3. Repeat all the way to the top, making sure you finish with the tape and half circles around the top of the roll. This is the head. At this point, if there are any half circles that are still sticking up, use double sided tape to stick them down.
4. Cut out a circle with white paper (approx. 1 inch in diameter) then use a black marker to draw a large circle inside for the eye. Use double sided tape to stick onto the side of the head.
5. Cut strips of tissue paper using the same colours as your semi circles. At the tail end, carefully place a piece of double sided tape around the inside bottom of the roll. One by one, stick a long piece of tissue paper to the tape, going all the way around until it’s covered.
6. Trim any ends if necessary so they’re about the same length. Cut a piece of ribbon or string that’s about 7 inches, and tape the ends inside the roll, opposite the eye.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 to make more carp!
Color a Kimono Modern Japanese kimono (“things to wear”) developed in the 19th century, when they were worn by both men and women! Kimono are made from one bolt of cloth, usually of silk, and are worn with obi, wide sashes tied in elaborate knots at the back.
Young Girl’s Kimono with Floral Motif, 1920s, colors on silk. On loan from Setsuko and Michael Cooney
How would you color yours?
Japanese Lanterns (from The Crafty Classroom, https://bit.ly/craftyclassroom)
Supplies: • Origami paper (we didn’t have origami paper, so we made three versions of the lanterns using paper we had at home: wrapping paper, construction paper, and hand-painted computer paper. You can use whatever you have available!) • Scissors • Hole puncher • String, ribbon, raffia or twine • Marker • Ribbon, twine, or raffia We used 8.5”x 11”computer paper and watercolor paint to make paper for one version of our lanterns:
1. Fold your piece of paper in half as shown.
2. Cut strips on the fold, almost to the end of the paper. Leave about half an inch uncut at the end. The width of the strips can vary.
3. Open your paper and roll it up in the opposite direction as your fold, pinching the paper together at the sides.
4. Staple your paper near the top.
5. Punch a hole next to the staple. Punch another hole on the opposite side of your first hole.
6. Use a bit of raffia, yarn, twine, or ribbon and thread through your lanterns to hang!
Reading Recommendations Can’t get enough of Japan? Learn more about the country, its language, and its art with these books!
Let’s Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Learn-Japanese-First-Everyone/dp/1452166250
All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Japan-Stories-countries/dp/4805314400
I Live in Tokyo https://www.amazon.com/I-Live-Tokyo-Mari-Takabayashi/dp/0618494847
Projects made and photographed by Museum Educator Kate Wellen and Museum Assistant Emily McKeon