The Walk of Fame in Los Angeles isn’t usually associated with art and culture in the classic sense. It’s known more for its theatres and attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Museum of Illusions. But on the 2nd floor of the Ovation Center, at Hollywood and Highland, is a jewel of a cultural center called Japan House Los Angeles, and it truly takes you into another world.
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I went there to see an exhibit called Kumihimo: The Art of Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo. Temporary exhibits rotate. Japan House also hosts culinary and other Japanese- centered events.
Getting there
The Ovation Center is where the Academy Awards are held and there is parking underneath, which you can have validated. Take the escalator to the 2nd floor and you will find Japan House.
Japanese silk braiding
As I entered the Kumihimo exhibit I could see examples of early Japanese silk braiding designs.
Silk braiding in Japan was discovered in ancient burial grounds as far back as 6,000 years ago. The art of Kumihimo began to emerge during the Asuka and Nara periods between 538 – 794 AD after Japan was introduced to continental Asia.
By the Heian period, (794-1185 AD) silk braiding had become more elaborate and advanced and was used to adorn costumes for the aristocracy, as well as furniture. décor, musical instruments, temples, and shrines.
A long table was laid out with long bands that were replicated from silk braiding found in the Imperial repository and Hōryū-ji Buddist Temple during the Nara period (710-794) and also from the Heian period. (794-1185 AD)
In later periods of Japanese history, Kumihimo was used to attach the plates of Samurai armor (Kamakura) and was also worn as a belt with kimonos (Edo).
The next section of the exhibit was all about structure, the process of silk braiding, and the tools used to create it.
Videos, photos, samples, and tools were on display to explain how the silk is dyed, braided, and constructed.
Costumes were also on display, and some were taken apart to show how the patterns were stitched together.
Domyo has been producing silk braided designs since 1652 in Tokyo. There was also a display of Domyo’s silk braiding designs such as men’s neckties that are so intricate they take three days to complete.
The Kumihimo exhibit is just an example of what you might see there.
About Japan House Los Angeles
Japan House has cultural centers in Los Angeles, London, and Sao Paulo. Its mission is to foster awareness and appreciation for Japanese culture by showcasing the best of its art, design, food, technology, and innovation. It also hosts special events, webinars, and workshops.
The second-floor venue is a 6,000-square-foot exhibition space and admission is free. There is also an 8,000-square-foot library and event facility on the 5th floor with a striking view of Hollywood below.
Japan House Los Angeles offers a variety of cultural exhibits that rotate every two or three months. If you are interested in visiting Japan, you will also find a collection of travel books and information to help you plan your trip.
Japan house is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Visit the website
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