Why don’t you enjoy the fusion of the traditional gold fish and the modern art?
Hi I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 25 countries!
I’m a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of English for 8 years.
I show you hidden Japan which you have never seen and heard of!
Art aquarium in Ginza
I went to the Art Aquarium in Ginza.
It is a collaboration of art and live traditional goldfish with a goldfish theme.
History
Goldfish, which are said to have originated in China, were first introduced to Japan in the 14th century.
Called “koganeuwo ( gold fish) they spread secretly from Nagasaki and Sakai city.
At first, it spread from the upper classes of aristocrats and samurai.
Goldfish Boom in Edo( Tokyo )
As time went by, they were introduced to the common people, and eventually a goldfish boom arrived in the town of Edo in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Various breeds were competitively improved, and new types of goldfish were developed up to the present day.
Love for the small things
Goldfish may also have captured the hearts of the Japanese people because of their small size.
There is a saying by a 10 century Japanese woman writer, “Everything small is beautiful.”in Japan.
Since ancient times, Japanese people have always loved small, modest things more than large, showy things.
Bonsai trees, four-and-a-half-mat tatami rooms, modern capsule hotels, transistor radios, and Walkman …… are just a few examples.
The goldfish boom in Edo (Tokyo) is linked to the attachment to “small things” that is deeply rooted in the Japanese people.
It is also deeply related to the Japanese view of nature.
Art Aquarium is a new exhibition that combines art, design, entertainment, and aquariums to establish the one and only “art aquarium” art field.
It consists of a fantastic Japanese worldview with a special focus on goldfish and the beauty of Japanese tradition.
The exhibition combines traditional Japanese goldfish with new technologies such as LED and projection mapping.
It started in Tokyo in 2007 and is now held annually throughout Japan and around the world.
Although there are criticisms of the exhibition for making a show of living creatures.
Care for the creatures
But it is held in a clean environment, and after the exhibition is over, the goldfish are properly returned to their farms.
The exhibition will be held on the 9th floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi department until October 10.
Open 10:00-19:00
The Mitsukoshi department store is connected to the metro Ginza station.
Admission fee is 2,400 yen( 24 dollars) , or 2,300 yen ( 23 dollars) for online reservations.
Two children under elementary school age are admitted free per adult.
There is a shop for goldfish related things too.
Why don’t you come and enjoy this summer tradition in Japan?
I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!