Event Listing - Museums, Galleries, City Events, Organizations

Thu Oct 2 - Thu Nov 6

The Asian Art Museum presents

MATCHA

Stirred up servings of Art, Performance & Music

Tel. 415-581-3500
Website

Location	Date and Time
Asian Art Museum 200 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 map cross street: Civic Center Plaza district: Civic Center	Thu Oct 2 (5 to 9 pm) Thu Nov 6 (5 to 9 pm)

Description

Get your monthly arts fix at the Asian Art Museum’s MATCHA series. Experience live performances, create art, embark on special tours of the galleries, mingle with friends over cocktails, or simply chill to the hip beats of DJs and musicians. Like the vibrant Japanese powdered green tea renowned for its richness and flavor, each MATCHA event has a refreshing and distinctive flair.

MATCHA is the perfect way to get your monthly arts and culture fix. Watch performances, stroll the galleries, create art, mingle over cocktails, enjoy music, and more.

October 2: Japanese Tattoo
Author and tattoo artist Takahiro Kitamura (artist name Horitaka, apprentice to the revered Japanese master, Horiyoshi III) gives a talk about the centuries-old art of traditional Japanese tattooing. See live demonstrations of Japanese style tattooing by various tattoo artists using both traditional and modern techniques. Dip into the world of Zen among ancient Japanese Samurai warriors through a guided tour of the galleries, learn about Japanese alters through a talk with author John Nelson, sample Japanese teas by Ito En, and soak up the DJ’s aural offerings.

There's more to getting inked than you think. Takahiro Kitamura -- aka "HORITAKA," apprentice to the revered master Horiyoshi III -- is an author, prolific tattoo artist, and owner of San Jose’s State of Grace. He will deliver a talk on the time-honored art of Japanese tattoos, a rich culture of beauty, commitment, and history.

See LIVE demonstrations of employing both traditional (no electric needles!) and modern techniques. Joining Horitaka's diverse, talented crew of tattooists are special guests from Japan -- Shige, a powerhouse tat artist who's showcased all over the world; Mutsuo, who's designed for Bathing Ape and Hysteric Glamour; and Kazunobu Nagashima, a client of Shige who will proudly display his backpiece, which won a 2007 Milano Tattoo Convention award.

In addition, dip into the world of Zen among ancient Samurai warriors through a guided tour of the galleries, learn about Japanese altars, sample teas by Ito En, soak up DJ Saiman's aural offerings, enjoy a cocktail with friends, and much more.

event Schedule

5-9 pm: Live tattoo demonstrations
Japanese tea tastings by Ito En
Music by DJ Saiman
Cash bars

6:30 pm: Talk by John Nelson
7:00 pm: Talk by artist Takahiro Kitamura
Ongoing: Free raffle drawing

Featured Artwork

Fudo Myoo zazo, The Buddhist deity Achala Vidyaraja (Japanese: Fudo Myoo)

1100-1185, Heian period, (794-1185), The Avery Brundage Collection, B60S146+.

Fudo (the Immovable One) is one of the powerful deities known as the Five Bright Kings in Japanese Buddhism and folk religion. As a manifestation of the central cosmic Buddha Mahavairochana (Japanese: Dainichi), Fudo is believed to protect Buddhism and its true adherents.

Like all Bright Kings, Fudo assumes a frightening form, with a sword in his right hand and a rope in his left. He sits in front of a swiring flame of fire, with which he purifies evil.

Lecture
Household Buddhist Altars in Contemporary Japan: Rectifying "Ancestor Worship" with Home Décor and Consumer Choice

With John Nelson

This is part of the First Thursday Lecture Series organized by the Society for Asian Art. A $5 fee is charged.

In Japan, where organized religion is increasingly viewed with a critical eye, one of the country's most enduring social and religious traditions--commemorating ancestral spirits--is undergoing rapid change. One of the more unexpected factors contributing to this realignment of religion and secular forces is the household altar. Through their products and advertising, innovative companies are creating new paradigms that reflect changing attitudes about religion, the afterlife, ancestors, and individual spirituality. This talk will trace the history of Buddhist household altars in Japan, then spotlight contemporary altars which not only harmonize with modern interiors but also emphasize the power and creativity of the individual in how the altar is conceptualized and used.

---- FUTURE MATCHA EVENTS ------

November 6: Afghanistan!
The grand finale of MATCHA’s third season culminates with music, dance, and a sampling of food from Afghanistan. The evening also features a performance of traditional dance—including the Afghan national dance Attan—by the Bay Area’s own Ballet Afsaneh. Try your hand at making jewelry inspired by the ancient Bactrian gold on view in the special exhibition Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul, or mingle on docent tours of the special exhibition and of the crossroads of East and West in the galleries.