USC Pacific Asia Museum
Pasadena, California 91101
Open Wednesday through Sunday 10am to 6pm


EXHIBITION
Kampai!
The Arts of Japanese Sake
March 5 - June 20, 2004
View the Exhibition Brochure [PDF: 2.5MB]
Sake bottle and cup set
Japan, 19th C.Porcelain and glaze
USC Pacific Asia Museum Collection, gift of Margot and Hans Ries
Sake is Hot at
USC Pacific Asia Museum!
The exhibition, Kampai! The Arts of Japanese Sake will be the first of its kind in an American museum to introduce
the public to what is considered to be the national drink of Japan
- highlighting its importance in Japanese religious and social
rituals through the centuries. Curated by Meher McArthur, Curator
of East Asian Art, the exhibition will feature paintings, prints,
ceramics, lacquer ware, and sculpture regarding the production,
marketing and serving of sake, as well as images that depict the
Japanese from all levels of society (as well as the gods!) enjoying
this drink.
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Scroll painting of Shoki the Demon-Queller
and Okame, Goddess of Mirth Drinking Sake By Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-89) Japan, c. 1870s Ink and color on paper USC Pacific Asia Museum Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Brumder |
Wine of the Gods
Rice wine, or sake, is a clear alcoholic drink made from fermented
rice and has played an important role in Japan for roughly 2,000
years. Sake has long been considered a means by which people could
become closer to the gods, and is a key element in the worship of
the indigenous deities of Japan. The drink has also been at the
heart of many social rituals that bring people closer to each other,
including festivals, parties, and the tea ceremony.
Intoxicating
Art
Over the centuries, significant artistic traditions have evolved
relating to sake, including the ceramic and lacquer vessels for
holding, serving and drinking the wine, as well as the art work
used to promote and sell sake. In addition, many paintings and prints
depict people and gods enjoying sake in both a social and religious
context. The objects in the exhibition will be drawn primarily from
the collections of Dr. James Roorda, Virginia and Raymond Atchley,
Jacqueline Avant, Patricia Ayers Gallucci, John Gauntner, Kelton
Foundation, Dr. Stephen A. Kanter, Konishi Oriental Antiques, Rob
Singer and Takara Sake, USA. Most notably, USC Pacific Asia Museum is
partnering with Sushi & Tofu Magazine, Cultural News, the Japan
America Society and Asia Society on this exhibition, which coincides
with the 150th anniversary of Japan-US relations. The exhibition
is being sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan, the Japan
Foundation, and Toshi and Frank Mosher. Additional support has been
provided by David and Margaret Barry and Dave and Mitsuko Felton.
For more information about this exhibition, please contact (626) 449-2742, extension 19.
Related Events:
Friday March 5, 7 - 9pm Lecture
All About Sake
Lecture and Sake Tasting by sake expert, John Gauntner, Followed by a Book Signing
Admission $30 ($25 for members of PAM, JAS, the Asia Society)
John Gauntner is a leading authority on Japanese sake and currently resides in Japan. He writes a weekly column on sake for Japan's most widely distributed newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun. His four books include The Sake Handbook (Tuttle, 1997), The Sake Companion (Running Press Book Publishers, 2000) and Sake, Pure & Simple (Stone Bridge Press, 1999, co-authored with Griffith Frost), as well as one book in Japanese, Nihonjin mo Shiranai Nihonshu no Hanashi (Shogakkan, 2003). He also publishes a free email newsletter about sake from the website www.sake-world.com.
His lecture will cover the basics of sake production, the grades of sake, and what it is that makes a good sake. He will also enlighten listeners about how to select and enjoy premium sake. The talk will be followed by a sake tasting and sushi reception in the Museum courtyard. This event is co-sponsored by the Japan America Society and Asia Society. Reservations are recommended. Please call extension 40.
- Saturday March 13, 2pm Lecture
Curator’s Tour of Kampai! The Arts of Japanese Sake
Exhibition Tour with Meher McArthur
Free with Museum admission
Exhibition curator, Meher McArthur will provide a lively, informative walkthrough of the exhibition. Meher McArthur specializes in Japanese art and is curator of the exhibition. Tour limited to 40 people. Please call extension 40 to make a reservation
- Friday, June 4th, 7pm
Sake Talk and Tasting
In conjunction with Kampai! The Arts of Japanese Sake, Pacific Asia Museum will hold its second sake tasting. The event will include an exhibition tour and introduction to sake by museum curator Meher McArthur followed by a tasting of ten types of sake presented by Pacific International Liquor. USC Pacific Asia Museum members, Japan America Society and Asia Society members are $25; non-members are $30. Reservations are required, please call ext. 19.
