Events

Members are invited to join the artists for a special preview and reception to celebrate the opening of the Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World exhibition.

Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World opens.

Celebrate the opening of Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World with live tattooing and lectures led by the artists featured in the exhibition.

LIVE TATTOO DEMONSTRATIONS
ARATANI CENTRAL HALL
Featured artists from the exhibition will be tattooing live, up-close-and-personal, showcasing various forms of Japanese tattooing, including tebori, a traditional Japanese hand tattooing form.

Featuring:
•Horitomo
•Miyazo
•Shige
•Yokohama Horiken

LECTURES
TATEUCHI DEMOCRACY FORUM
(located in glass building across plaza)
Artists and contributors will talk about their work in the exhibition and the importance of the art of tattoo in their life.

Schedule:
•1 p.m.: Greg Kimura, President/CEO, Japanese American National Museum
•1:30 p.m.: Kip Fulbeck, Perseverance Designer & Photographer
•2 p.m.: Takahiro Horitaka Kitamura, Perseverance Curator
•2:30pm: Tattoo Model Unveiling, Takahiro Horitaka Kitamura and Kip Fulbeck
•3 p.m.: Junko Junii Shimada
•3:30 p.m.: Chris Horishiki Brand
•4 p.m.: Jill Horiyuki Halpin
•4:30 p.m.: Chaz Bojorquez

The event will conclude with a signing of the exhibition catalogue with all artists. Check back for details on how to purchase your own catalogue.

Regular admission is required for entry. Purchase admission at the front desk of the Museum on event day. No pre-payment accepted. Last entrance to the National Museum will be at 5 p.m.

Lectures will take place in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum in the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (glass building across the Courtyard from main building). Admission required for entry. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis, until maximum capacity is reached. Seating is limited so arrive early!

Just in time for our Perseverance exhibition, author Manami Okazaki will be at JANM to sign her popular books, Wabori: Traditional Japanese Tattoos and Kokeshi: From Tohoku with Love.

Purchase Wabori and Kokeshi online or in-store.

Master printer Paul Mullowney will lead a hands-on workshop on creating woodblock prints, including an introduction to the history of its connection to ukiyo-e prints, Japanese tattoo imagery, and the 20th century sosaku hanga (creative prints) of leading figures like Shikoh Munakata.

In the spirit of the exhibition, Perseverance, the workshop will focus on the crossover shared between the traditions of tattooing and woodblock printing in 18th and 19th century Japan. It is often forgotten in contemporary Japan that the rich image bank coming from kabuki and Noh drama, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Japanese folk stories was shared by artists working in both worlds—tattooing and fine art prints. In this workshop, a brief historical overview of the methods, trends and iconography in the long traditions of the woodcut medium will be discussed

Participants will then have a chance to try their hand at carving and printing blocks using the techniques of Japanese water based printing. Pre-carved blocks will be available for printing on fine handmade papers and participants will be able to achieve fine results to take with them.

$50 members; $60 non-members, incl. admission & supplies. RSVP early, 25 participants max. Recommended for adults. Workshop includes one hour break.


Paul Mullowney, master printer in etching and woodcut, spent over ten years in Japan where he ran his own print studio in a 17th century Zen temple in the mountains of Nara where he and his wife and six cats were caretakers. He currently runs Mullowney Printing in San Francisco, a fine art, educational and publishing print studio in the Mission District.

Join Perseverance photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck and curator Takahiro Kitamura as they lead a gallery tour with special insight on the exhibition. RSVP early, 30 participants max.

Read an article about curator Takahiro Kitamura on Discover Nikkei>>

Read about photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck on Discover Nikkei>>

FREE ALL DAY!

Celebrate JANM’s groundbreaking exhibition Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World with tattoo and printmaking-inspired activities for the whole family!

 

ALL DAY ACTIVITIES:

Kids’ Print Shop: Etch fun designs into plastic foam and make prints out of them.

Kids’ Tattoo Parlor: Use our special paper to create temporary press-on tattoos.

Ruthie’s Origami Corner: Learn how to make an origami fish!

Kids’ Coloring Lounge: Ukiyo-e Heroes, created by artists Jed Henry and David Bull, are ukiyo-e-style prints inspired by Japanese comics and video games. Make your own ukiyo-e heroes with our coloring pages, and enter your work in a contest to win a $10 JANM Store gift certificate! See below for contest rules. For inspiration, videos of Bull demonstrating his woodblock printing process will be on display.

 

SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES:

11:30 a.m./1 p.m.: Mark Langill, Los Angeles Dodgers Team Historian and Publications Editor, and Koji Steven Sakai, JANM Programs Manager, will lead a family-friendly gallery tour of Dodgers: Brotherhood of the Game. The two curators will share the inside story of how the exhibition was put together.

12 p.m.–2 p.m.: Watch a live screen printing demonstration by Grow Your Own Media, Atwater Village’s community print shop, as they print special JANM-designed posters for you to take home. Posters available while supplies last.

12 p.m.–2 p.m.: Get a fun temporary henna tattoo! (For children only, line will end at 1:30 p.m. Please note henna tattoos generally last 1–4 weeks.)

2 p.m.–4 p.m.: Go deluxe with a realistic temporary airbrush tattoo! (For children only, line will end at 3:30 p.m. Please note airbrush tattoos generally last 2–7 days.)

3 p.m.: Samurai warrior imagery, which plays a significant role in the Perseverance exhibition, comes to life in a demonstration of Shinkendo, the Japanese art of swordsmanship. This exciting live display is presented by Honbu Dojo, the world headquarters of Shinkendo instruction.

 

KIDS’ COLORING LOUNGE CONTEST RULES

There will be two age groups for the coloring contest (ages 0-11 and ages 12-18)

Contestants should fill out a contest form with their name, age, and contact information, which will be taped to the back of their page.

Entries will be taped to a wall where the public can view and vote for their favorites from each age group. One vote per person.

Voting closes at 3 p.m., with winners announced at 3:30 p.m.

Winners will receive a $10 gift certificate to the Museum Store.

 

Sponsored by Target.

 

FREE

Screening of the documentary film Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World. The film tells the story of Don Ed Hardy, a fine artist whose obsession with tattoos launched an empire. Heavily influenced by the Japanese tradition, Hardy’s distinctive designs brought tattoo culture into the mainstream and inspired a popular line of clothing and accessories.

A discussion with producer/director Emiko Omori will follow the screening. Please note this film is not rated and may not be appropriate for all ages.

Purchase the DVD from the JANM Store >>

FREE

Bakuchi-uchi: Ippiki Ryu (The Dragon Tattoo) is a classic 1967 fictional yakuza film that delves into the world of Japanese tattoos in Osaka. Featured Perseverance artist Junii will lecture on the tattoos in the film, including the real tattoos worn by the actors. Clips from film to be presented along with lecture. Entire film will not be screened.

RSVP early.

Join Perseverance photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck and curator Takahiro Kitamura as they lead a gallery tour with special insight on the exhibition. RSVP early, 30 participants max.

Read an article about curator Takahiro Kitamura on Discover Nikkei>>

Read about photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck on Discover Nikkei>>

Before the Museum opens to the public, Members are invited to join Perseverance photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck and curator Takahiro Kitamura on a private gallery tour as they share special insight on the exhibition. RSVP to memberevents@janm.org or 213.830.5657. 30 participants max.

Read an article about curator Takahiro Kitamura on Discover Nikkei>>

Read about photographer/designer Kip Fulbeck on Discover Nikkei>>

Perseverance artists and contributors, Kip Fulbeck, Takahiro Horitaka Kitamura, Chris Horishiki Brand, Chaz Bojorquez and Brian Kaneko will engage in a Q&A discussion with the audience about their work and passion for tattoos. Signing to follow.

RSVP early. Program free with admission. Free for Members.

Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World closes.