TAB Event - "Korea Through Taro Okamoto's Eyes 1964, 1977" Exhibition

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At Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki
Media: Photography

Taro Okamoto visited Korea in 1964 and 1977. One wonders what sort of significance these two visits to Korea held for him.
Before then, Okamoto encountered Jomon wares in 1951 and discovered within those shapes the primordial sense of vitality among the Japanese people. Afterwards, in 1957, he left on a journey across several regions in Japan to find the essence of Japanese culture for his serialization of the “Geijutsu Fudoki” (Topography of Art). It was in 1959 when he came across Utaki, the sacred areas in Okinawa, and contemplated the origins of interaction between the shaman and the gods. Also, beginning in 1962, he took yet another trip to various parts of Japan in order to write the “Shinpi Nihon” (Mysteries in Japan).
Following these events, Okamoto visited Korea for the first time in 1964. Completing his journeys throughout Japan, Okamoto was growing interested in the deep relationship that has existed since ancient times between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. This was a perfect opportunity to travel to Korea. With this visit, he experienced the people’s lifestyles, discovered an honest way for human beings to exist by how people lived cheerfully and robust despite impoverishment, and became strongly attracted to the culture and traditions of Korea.
In his visit to Korea in 1977, he embraced his interest in the masked theatre and shamanism. He also became drawn to the Changseung (guideposts) he encountered during his trip. The stones placed at the base of the wooden Changseung posts gave him a sense of the rich flow of culture that poured down from Northern Eurasia to reach Japan, including the culture of the scythia from the northern equestrian people and the Obo shrines of Mongolia.
Along with Okamoto’s photographs, this exhibition also introduces many documents, videos, and materials, including household tools and masks. This is a way to trace Okamoto’s steps during his travels, reveal his encounters in Korea, and show the deep, personal impressions he had of Korean culture and the lifestyles of its people.

[Image: "Changseung" (1977) photo by Taro Okamoto]

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