Yokkaichi

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    A Symbol Of Japan That Fits Australia Like A Shoe

    Given the powerful pull of the surf culture in Australia, a link with Katsushika Hokusai‘s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa that immediately conveys an image of Japan was almost inevitable, but also symbolizes the strong ties between the two countries almost made for each other. Countless Australian companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, artists and others utilize or have utilized directly or derivatively the iconic Japanese work forming one of Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Even though the Great Wave is an instantly recognizable image that embodies the essence of Japanese spirit, particularly with the inclusion of Mount Fuji, Australia has long recognized the work as a shared connection between the countries….

  • Osaka’s Touch of Australia’s Great Wave

    The 1970 Osaka World Expo was a boon for Japan’s second-largest city, then, like the rest of the country, enjoying the postwar boom that propelled Japan from the brink of destruction to being the No. 2 economic power in the world. 1970年に行われた大阪万国博覧会は、当時高度成長期真っ最中商業地域であり日本第二都市である大阪にとって世界に披露する機会を与え、思い切ってその素晴らしさを見せた。 Australia, too, was still enjoying unprecedented prosperity in 1970, and it showed with its amazing pavilion at the Osaka showcase. 当時、オーストラリアも景気が良かったし、万博で見せたご立派な「オーストラリア館」もその証拠と言えるだろう。 The pavilion, modeled on Katsushika Hokusai‘s The Great Wave at Kanagawa, was at the end of the Expo donated to Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, which is Sydney’s sister city. It was supposed to be a symbol of the “eternal” friendship between Japan and Australia. 北斎の「神奈川沖浪裏」をモチーフにした同館は、万博終了後シドニーの姉妹都市である三重県四日市市に移動し、日豪友情の「永遠シンボル」として博物館などとして使われた。 After almost 45…