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The image of Japan as the home of samurai, geishas and tea ceremonies just touches the surface of Japanese culture. Join the Burlington Art Centre's guided tour to explore Japan through its famed temples, gardens, and ceramics. From the world heritage site of Nikko, the first Shogun's burial site, to the potter's village of Mashiko, home to the great ceramist Hamada, the trip proceeds to the hyper-modern capital Tokyo. While enjoying some of the most intriguing modern architecture, we also visit the ancient temple at Asakusa and make time to shop for spectacular souvenirs, from realistic plastic food to antique kimonos. Then on to Kyoto where we will spend a day wandering some of the most famous gardens in the world, from the monastic stone garden, Ryoanji, to the stroll garden of the Golden Pavilion Ginkakuji. With free time in Kyoto there is the chance to visit a silk dye house to see how kimonos are made or walk the back alleys of the Gion where geishas can still be seen on their way to appointments. While this is an opportunity to be introduced to the arts and crafts of ancient Japan, the modern world, from the bullet train to the manga inspired fashions of teenage Japanese will also be explored the fascinating juxtaposition that is Japan today.
Join me, Jonathan Smith, and Reid Flock as we guide you. I will be taking us through the galleries, highlighting the treasure from painted scrolls to Noh theatre costumes to Japanese swords while Reid, who has lived in Japan for nine years can introduce us to all things Japanese from saki to ceramics.
Jonathan Smith |
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| FACTS: |
| • | 13 days |
| • | Start in Tokyo and finish in Kyoto |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Visiting Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine at Toshogu |
| • | Exploring the ceramics at Mashiko |
| • | Cruising the Sumida River to the pleasure quarters of old Edo |
| • | Attending a performance of Bunrako |
| • | Marvelling at the 1,001 wooden statues of the thousand-handed Kannon at Sanjusangendo Hall |
| • | Meditating at Kinkaku-ji, the lakeside Temple of the Golden Pavilion |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive at Narita Airport |
| Day 2: |
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Nikko |
| Day 3: |
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Mashiko, Tokyo |
| Day 4: |
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Tokyo |
| Day 5: |
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Tokyo |
| Day 6: |
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Tokyo |
| Day 7: |
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Train to Kyoto |
| Day 8: |
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Kyoto |
| Day 9: |
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Kyoto |
| Day 10: |
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Kyoto |
| Day 11: |
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Nara |
| Day 12: |
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Kyoto |
| Day 13: |
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Depart |
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 Jonathan Smith is the Permanent Collector Curator at the Burlington Art Centre, a post he has held since 1987. During that time, he has amassed the world's largest and most significant collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics. With his Masters degree in Fine Arts from the University of Chicago and his vast knowledge of art and art history, Jonathan special expertise in ceramics makes him a terrific resource for both advanced artists and lay people alike. As well, Jonathan has travelled to Japan several times, where he explored many of the remarkable places that will be seen on this trip.
 At a young age, Reid studied at the Burlington Art Centre and instantly showed remarkable aptitude for ceramics. After mentoring under Jonathan Smith and Kayo O'Young, Reid moved to Japan to study the forms and techniques that have been mastered over the centuries. Settling in Hitachi, Reid worked on his art with his work featured on Japanese national television and in many articles in newspapers. During his nine year stay, Reid gained a competent grasp of Japanese language and has a strong understanding of Japanese culture and tradition. Having visited many important art and cultural sites throughout the country, Reid's knowledge of the people and the places will be a tremendous asset to this trip.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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