Japan as a Cultural Triangle - Fotografien von Namikawa Banri (1931 – 2006)

In the organizer's words:

The exhibition with works by photographer Namikawa Banri brings ancient Japan back to life and traces the routes by which the culture of the Asian mainland reached Japan. Geographically, it focuses on the Izumo region (today's Shimane Prefecture), the Setouchi Inland Sea with today's Kagawa Prefecture, the area around the old capitals of Nara and Kyôto (Kinai) and the Tôhoku region in north-eastern Japan.

The first part of the exhibition shows how people in ancient Japan lived in harmony with nature. The second section explores the origins of sculptural representations from the Asuka period (552-645) to the mid-19th century. Finally, the characteristics of Japanese architecture are shown using the example of residential buildings, palace complexes and shrines.

The award-winning photographer Namikawa Banri was born in Tokyo in 1931 and has worked as a freelance photographer since graduating from Nihon University. His works have been published in numerous photo books and have also been presented in exhibitions outside Japan. In 50 years, he has traveled to more than 40 countries and taken outstanding pictures of the world's cultural heritage, such as Borobudur, Isfahan, Bamian, Gandhara and castles in Spain. He achieved particular fame with his photographs of the Silk Road.

Price information:

Free admission The Japanese Cultural Institute Cologne is closed on weekdays between 1 pm and 2 pm.