Intercultural Design – Project 2 (Field Study)
27.02.24 – 08.03.24 / Week 4 – Week 5
Velicia Raquel Dewi Setiawan | 0369188 | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design
JUMP LINK:
1. LECTURE
2. INSTRUCTIONS
3. PROJECT 2 — FIELD STUDY
Requirements
The students are required to collect visual, oral, textual, and tactile artifacts that would be part of their research materials for the ideation in Project 1 (proposal). All collected artifacts and materials must be recorded, kept, and documented, accompanied by necessary information such as the type of artifact and material, its purpose, its symbolism, its cultural/historical background, and more, depending on the kind of artifact and material.
Data Collection Methods:
- Observation study.
- Interview of relevant stakeholders (from the lecture series, you may approach any of the guest speakers for an interview, if you deem their presentation useful for further research).
- Online and/or actual physical material* visual research of the selected culture (the people/arts/symbols/architecture/text/calligraphy etc.)
Submission
- In relevant ways that protect and preserve the collected artifacts and materials.
- Accompanying descriptions that properly and informed about important information about each artifact and materials.
Timeframe
- Week 04 – Week 05
3.1 PROGRESS
3.1.1 IDEATION
Miss Anis suggested that we choose the topic of our research to just hair accessories (kanzashi) and create a themed collection of it. After a lot of discussions, our group decided to research the major cities in Japan which are Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
3.1.2 RESEARCH
During our trip, we stayed in Osaka prefecture and spent much time exploring Japan. We decide to explore Osaka and the nearby cities (Kyoto, Nara). We made an effort to plan our route and choose the destinations that would be most worthwhile before the day of travel to save as much time as possible—getting lost in Japan is a time-consuming event.
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| Figure 3.1.2.1 Week 8 (28/03/24) Travel Plans. |
Osaka itself is known for its modern lifestyle, tall buildings, neon billboards, famous tourist attractions, and nightlife which represent modern Japan. In contrast, Kyoto and Nara are rich in historical temples and shrines that reflect Japan's traditional culture.
This is more of a personal experience and extra facts (personal research after the trip) about the destination that didn't get included in the PPT. The PPT is for the relevant and professional research regarding our topic.
*Unless stated otherwise the photos are taken by me.
OSAKA
1. OSAKA CASTLE
Located in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan. Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the sixteenth century. Osaka Castle has endured numerous wars and changes in politics during its history.
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| Figure 3.1.2.2 Week 8 (29/03/24) Osaka Castle. |
Nowadays, Osaka Castle serves as a famous cultural icon and tourist destination in Osaka, bringing in numerous tourists. The castle also hosts numerous festivals and events it holds every year. The castle is a representation of Osaka's resiliency and identity.
Personal Experience
The walk from the entry to the castle itself was pretty long but surrounded by a marvelous view of the lake (with ducks!) and a clear sky. Sadly the sakura trees are bare with barely any leaves (we got there at the wrong time I presume).
We were given the chance to up by stairs or elevator up to 5 floors, The elevator is specifically for people with wheelchairs to get down with the elevator, which was thoughtful of them. With the stairs and elevator in the middle of the room, it was made so that you walk the whole room in a full circle and then go up the next floor, instead of the usual museum with artifact display in the middle of the room that made you walk back and forth, clever layout design by the museum.
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Photography was forbidden from floors 1-4, so we can only take photos on the fifth floor. There is a miniature of the war of Osaka, historical panels, video showcasing the history of the castle. There's also a stand that sells photography, stamps about the castle, and Books! The photography and stamps are so beautiful, with wonderful clear colors and composition.
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| Figure 3.1.2.4 Week 8 (29/03/24) Osaka War Panel. |
Personal Research
They have guides of time, dates to routes to take when visiting the festival. They already hosting and planning to host multiple events this year, such as marathons, wrestling, cherry blossom illumination, and barbeque.
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| Figure 3.1.2.5 Week 8 (29/03/24) Osaka Castle Spring Festival 2024. |
https://livejapan.com/en/in-kansai/in-pref-osaka/in-osaka-castle_tenmabashi_kyobashi/article-a2000771/
One of the past events is Osaka Castle Illuminage (2022-2023), a light-up display themed around Japanese history and culture. Taking place at Nishinomaru Garden, within the grounds of Osaka Castle.
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| Figure 3.1.2.6 Week 8 (29/03/24) Osaka Castle Illuminage (2022-2023). |
Cause we didn't get much time to read the castle due to limited time, I did more digging and found this golden nugget of a documentary video on Osaka Castle.
Figure 3.1.2.7 Week 8 (29/03/24) Osaka Castle Documentary.
Summary:
The incredible engineering of samurai castles is on evident at Japan's Osaka Castle. The Tokugawa shogunate's government funded the construction of its stone walls, which were built out of uniform rectangular stones. The stones were easily transported thanks to the castle's ideal placement beside a river. The third-generation keep of the castle reflects the pride and history of Osaka.
Main points
- The stone walls of Osaka Castle were built in a zigzag pattern. This allowed for better defense against attackers and eliminated blind spots, enhancing the castle’s defensive capabilities.
- The location besides a river allowed for easy transportation of the large number of stones needed for its construction.
- The castle’s stone walls and moats demonstrate the strategic planning and defense mechanisms used in samurai warfare.
2. THE OSAKA MUSEUM OF HOUSE AND LIVING
This museum is unique in the way that it recreates a life-size townscape from the Edo Period, allowing visitors to experience walking through the streets and houses of that era.
Personal Experience
The experience is Incredible, especially in the details the the clothing shop, toy shop, cats on the roof, dogs playing together, to sky that gradually dims to resemble the passing of time, to the lamp street that lights up in the evening. You can explore almost every interior of the houses to see the traditional design of old Japanese houses. There's also a kimono (yukata) rental so you can photos with it.
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Personal Research
Machiya are typical urban houses that once accommodated the merchant class and craftsmen in the cities throughout Japan. They were built entirely of wood and beside the living part of the house, they also contained a workshop and a shop.
Sento, a traditional Japanese bathhouse, has a long history dating back to the Nara period in the 8th century. The first public commercial bathhouse was built in the 13th century and spread throughout Japan by the Edo period. Not to be mistaken with onsen, as onsen always uses natural mineral water from a hot spring, while sento uses regular water that is heated up.
Town meeting halls were used to discuss important topics and store important documents. Fire lookouts were placed on the roof of town halls to alert citizens in case of fires.
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| Figure 3.1.2.11 Week 8 (29/03/24) Town Meeting Halls. |
Traditional Japanese medicine, derived from Chinese herbal remedies, was sold in specialized apothecary shops during the Edo period.
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| Figure 3.1.2.12 Week 8 (29/03/24) Apothecary. |
Komamonoya were cosmetic shops where customers could buy fashion accessories and daily necessities. The items were displayed on a wooden display at the front window, resembling those found in a museum.
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| Figure 3.1.2.13 Week 8 (29/03/24) Komamonoya/Toys Shop . |
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| Figure 3.1.2.14 Week 8 (29/03/24) Komamonoya/Toys Shop Brochure. |
The discovery begins in Osaka's typical street during Tenjin Matsuri, a summer festival, where the daytime and night ambiance are beautifully recreated through lighting.
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| Figure 3.1.2.15 Week 8 (29/03/24) Tenjin Matsuri. |
The dioramas showcase six Osaka living spaces from 1868 to the end of the 20th century, including modern houses and everyday household items from 1950-1960s.
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| Figure 3.1.2.16 Week 8 (29/03/24) Dioramas of Different Eras. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.17 Week 8 (29/03/24) Modern Houses. |
3. TEAMLAB BOTANICAL GARDEN
The permanent display Digitized Nature at Nagai Botanical Garden by TeamLab is located in the open-air botanical garden in Nagai, Osaka. Interactive pieces influenced by wind, rain, trees, birds, and visitor behavior are on display at the exhibition. Giant sculptures, ovoids, and limited pieces that change with the seasons in the garden are among the artworks.
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| Figure 3.1.2.18 Week 8 (29/03/24) TeamLab Botanical Garden. Taken by Ying Ying |
Personal Experience
It was an absolute feast for the eyes seeing all of the colorful lights on display. There were a lot of people when were visiting, so it was hard to interact with the surroundings, not knowing if it was you or other people that caused the change in color and sound. I feel like this attraction needs to be enjoyed by you or a small group of people to get the fullest experience.
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| Figure 3.1.2.19 Week 8 (29/03/24) TeamLab Botanical Garden. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.20 Week 8 (29/03/24) TeamLab Botanical Garden. Taken by Ying Ying. |
I feel like had too high of expectations for this destination that it fell short. This requires slow and quiet observation which is not possible with a group of people, and it was quite late at the time so we all were tired and very cold.
Personal Research
The artworks at the gallery are seasonal, featuring plants and flowers that change each month. One of them is the 'Life is Flickering Light Floating in the Dark - Cosmos' installation features a field of brightly lit cosmos.
Figure 3.1.2.21 Week 8 (29/03/24) 'Life is Flickering Light Floating in the Dark - Cosmos'.
Some others are the 'Field of Light Color - Muhlenbergia capillaris' and 'Life if Continuous Light' artworks are seasonal highlights.
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Figure 3.1.2.21 Week 8 (29/03/24) 'Field of Light Color - Muhlenbergia capillaris'. |
I found this stunning photograph By Margherita Cole that shows the scenery in the Teamlab Botanical Gardens.
4. DOTONBORI
The Umezu River was intended to be turned into a canal in 1612 as part of a local development project funded by Yasui Doton, which is when Dotonbori started. Even though the war and Yasui Doton's death had postponed it, the canal was still called Dotonbori in honor of Yusui Doton. With theater groups and playhouses moving to the southern bank and eateries and tea houses to the north bank, the area thrived as a center for entertainment. Dotonbori is now a culinary paradise packed with eateries, bars, and street-side food vendors.
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| Figure 3.1.2.23 Week 8 (29/03/24) Dotonbori. |
Personal Experience
I went here a couple of times, but the most noticeable one was when we visited it late into the night. A lot of people are mingling and generally having fun together, from cosplayers, photographers, stress musicians, and street food vendors promoting their goods. Incredible atmosphere and food albeit packed with people.
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| Figure 3.1.2.24 Week 8 (29/03/24) Takoyaki. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.25 Week 8 (29/03/24) Musician. |
Personal Research
Dotonbori, a vibrant street in Osaka's Chuo ward, is known for its neon lights, street food, retro vibes, clubs, stores, and bars. It's a famous saying, kuidaore, that translates to "going bankrupt after eating too much."
Dotonbori's Cultural Attractions (besides Glico Running Man)
Shochiku-za:
• Remains the only remaining kabuki establishment from Dotonbori's theater district.
• Features a refined facade with Italian renaissance architecture.
• Offers a traditional Japanese experience.
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River Cruise:
• Unique way to experience Dotonbori.
• Allows leisurely observation of trademark buildings and lights.
• Tonbori River Cruise offers 20-minute water excursions under the street's nine bridges.
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Kuidaore Taro:
• Mechanical clown statue from the 1950s.
• Displayed in the lobby of the Nakaza Kuidaore Building.
• Souvenir shops selling Japanese snacks, candy, and Kuidaore Taro merchandise.
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| Figure 3.1.2.28 Week 8 (29/03/24) Kuidaore Taro |
Hozenji Yokocho:
• An old-fashioned alleyway with traditional shops, restaurants, and cobblestone streets.
• Offers a break from Dotonbori's high energy.
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Honorable Mention
5. KUROMON MARKET
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We bought scarps of kimono fabrics for our kanzashi here.
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Lobby.
Taken by Lizzie.
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| Figure 3.1.2.32 Week 8 (29/03/24) Kimono Fabrics. Taken by Emily. |
KYOTO
1. THE MUSEUM OF KYOTO
Kyoto, the capital of Japan for over a thousand years, developed its own culture as a result of its major role in the creation of Japanese culture. Since its opening in 1988, the Kyoto Museum has offered an easy introduction to the history and culture of the city.
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| Figure 3.1.2.33 Week 8 (29/03/24)Museum of Kyoto. |
Personal Experience
As students got a discount here and can look the displays on 2nd floor. The floor showcases the beginning of Kyoto as the capital of Japan, each of the eras in the centuries, the war between factions, and the beginning and development of cultures such as poetry, architecture, art, and religion.
Lobby.
Taken by Lizzie.
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| Figure 3.1.2.34 Week 8 (29/03/24) | Museum of Kyoto |
While the text on the displays on written in Japanese, there's a video with English subtitles and an enthusiastic woman who explains the history to us even tho she was having a hard time speaking English and fighting the sound of the video that was playing, I admire her passion and courage.
Personal Research
The former Bank of Japan, a brick building in Meiji style, showcases the city's history from its origins to today. Visitors can enjoy shopping and dining at the Edo period-style "Roji Tempo" with a dozen shops. A second part of the building is dedicated to the film industry, which found in the architecture of the city the best natural settings. The videos are well-subtitled in English and provide detailed explanations for foreign tourists who are interested in each room's theme.
Since we didn't quite get the history explanation this is the brief history of Kyoto I found on the internet.
Kyoto, Japan's capital, was relocated from Nagaoka-kyo in 794 to "Heian-kyo" by Emperor Kammu. The Heian period saw the flourishing of Japanese culture in poetry, architecture, art, and religion. The Kamakura period saw the birth of Buddhist sects and temple construction. The Muromachi period saw a cultural renaissance, but the Onin War led to destruction. The Momoyama period saw Kyoto rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Edo period saw the unification of Japan and the transfer of political power to Edo, leading to a stable, peaceful period. The Meiji Restoration quelled internal strife and the creation of the modern Japanese.
2. ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is a popular tourist attraction, famous for its peaceful atmosphere and humungous bamboo stalks. Walking along the paths surrounded by bamboo allows tourists to experience the unique and peaceful setting.
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| Figure 3.1.2.35 Week 8 (29/03/24) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. |
Personal Experience
We didn't spend much time here, partly because we were exhausted. The vibrant green of the bamboo on the internet does not match the real thing, the photography was probably at a different time when the bamboo appeared greener. I also visited the Nonomiya Shrine, which has plenty of Torii gates and shrines there.
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| Figure 3.1.2.36 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nonomiya Shrine. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.37 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nonomiya Shrine. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.38 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nonomiya Shrine. |
Personal Research
• Bamboo is commonly accessible in Japan and is used in construction, handicrafts, and cooking.
• Bamboo is a symbol of prosperity and strength because of its resilient structure of roots that can withstand climatic weather.
• "Taketori Monogatari," which translates to "Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," is a story about a young woman named Kaguya-hime who disappears to return to the moon after being found inside a bamboo stalk.
• Bamboo is used as a sacred barrier against evil, warding off evil at festivals like the Tanabata festival and shrines.
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| Figure 3.1.2.39 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nonomiya Shrine. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.40 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nonomiya Shrine. |
Nonomiya Shrine, which dates back to the ninth century and is located next to Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is believed to have been used for the purification of imperial princesses who were to become priestesses at the Ise Shrine. The temple is known for helping and interceding on behalf of women and houses gods associated with marriage, childbirth, and ideal matches. There are wooden wish-writing plaques and amulets available for visitors. The shrine's significance culture is increased by its connection with historical figures such as Lady Rokujō from "The Tale of Genji".
3. FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA
Fushimi Inari Taisha, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, is the kami Inari's main shrine, known for its prominent vermilion torii gates that lead up to the sacred Mount Inari.
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| Figure 3.1.2.41 Week 8 (29/03/24) Fushimi Inari. |
Personal Experience
We arrived here around sunset, and it was quickly getting dark, so we made our way up to the rows of Torii gates. For me, the most impressive structure was the huge Torii gate entrance. There were plenty of little shrines and enormous temples, as well as wooden kitsune masks on display. Unfortunately, the sky was too dark to capture a good shot of the Torii gates, but it was still an enjoyable experince.
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| Figure 3.1.2.42 Week 8 (29/03/24) Fushimi Inari. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.43 Week 8 (29/03/24) Fushimi Inari. |
Personal Research
Fushimi Inari Taisha features thousands of torii gates, including 10,000 orange-red gates given by individuals and companies and written with their names.
• Symbol of Good Fortune: Donating a gate brings prosperity and wealth.
• Fox Messengers: Inari's trademark symbol is related with foxes in Japanese folklore.
• Symbolic Red Color: Red torii gates to show protection against evil spirits.
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| Figure 3.1.2.44 Week 8 (29/03/24) Fushimi Inari. |
NARA
1. NARA PARK
Nara Park, located in the city of Nara, Japan, is a vast public park known for its natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and friendly deer that roam freely. Offers a serene environment with cherry blossom trees, ponds, and walking paths, making it a beloved destination for tourists and locals alike.
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| Figure 3.1.2.45 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nara Park Station. |
Personal Experience
We experienced the deer crowding us when we were feeding them, they can be quite aggressive sometimes, biting and pushing your clothes and hands. They also sometimes will bow back to you when you bow to them. These deer usually have white spots and antlers, but I guess when we went there at the wrong time because they were not noticeable.
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| Figure 3.1.2.46 Week 8 (29/03/24) Deers. |
We also visited the temple is situated behind Nara Park and consists of three parts, namely the Central Golden Hall, Kofukuji Gojunta, and Nan'endo. Unfortunately, the civil wars destroyed all but three of these temple's structures.
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| Figure 3.1.2.48 Week 8 (29/03/24) Central Golden Hall. |
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| Figure 3.1.2.49 Week 8 (29/03/24) Nan'endo. |
Personal Research
Deer in Nara are sacred due to their association with the Shinto religion and local mythology. Legend has it that a deity named Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara riding a white deer, and deer are revered as divine messengers. Today, they roam freely in Nara Park, protected as a national treasure.
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| Figure 3.1.2.50 Week 8 (29/03/24) Bowing Deer. |
Nara's deer have been friendly with humans since 1177 when Kujo Kanezane bowed to them. In 1189, the head of the Fujiwara clan was bewildered by a deer in a temple, leading to the deer being considered a lucky signal. Over time, they exchange a bow for shika-senbei, special deer rice crackers from vendors. Deer also waits alongside people at intersections.
3.2 FINAL SUBMISSION
We create a PTT with all of the data we collected, including notes and pictures. We then explain the photographs using the knowledge we learned from our trip to Japan and further internet research. The PowerPoint was then edited by Ying Ying and Emily so it looked polished and professional.
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| Figure 3.1.2.51 Week 8 (29/03/24) Field Study PPT (Draft). |
There is further exploration and explanation in the PTT.
| Figure 3.3.52 Week 7 (18/03/24) Field Study PPT (Finalized). |
4. Feedback
Week 4: Mis Anis said that we should cut down the topic to just hair accessories (kanzashi) and make a themed collection of them.
Week 5: Mr Asrizal said that we need to be careful not to outright replicate elements seen in Japan. To explore the cause of traditional Japanese accessories dying tradition and approaches to raise awareness of this problem. The product does not have to be kanzashi.
5. Reflection
1. Experience
As tiring as this was, I felt so rewarded doing this, finding out about new stuff is always fun. Exploring the many layers of Japanese culture, symbolism, stories, and more opened my eyes to a lot of fascinating topics that I didn't know existed. Every step of this, from looking into the Japanese tradition to how they are still standing right now, was fascinating. Despite the difficulties, this experience has been very satisfying.
2. Observation
I noticed that I spend too much time looking things up instead of gathering data and I often get distracted with other information that is not relevant to the topics. Another thing is that my perfectionism on this task was too much I think, feeling the need to gather as much data as possible.
3. Findings
Don't spend too much time on irrelevant information about the topic and it's okay that I don't get every info that I want. It's better to have the same qualities across all of the topics instead of just one incredible but all the others are terrible.
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