People enjoyed "group sounds & folk" and original songs sung by 'The Human Jukebox' ! (3)

 At the second concert, he sang his original songs, including “Power Light,” “Sinbad,” ”Mesu no Okami”(Female wolf) and others. The audience was surprised, because Dr.Handa kicked things off with dozens of balloons dropping on them.

 He asked the audience, “We dropped balloons at the end of the concert the day before yesterday. You thought it would be the same today as well, didn’t you?”

 He mentioned Kiyoshiro Imawano, a rock singer who died in 2009 and inspired him. He said, “I didn’t know much about Kiyoshiro Imawano until the media covered his death at the age of 58. Then I listened to all his CDs and I thought how sorry he must have been to die so young and I wanted to make soungs for him. I made a few and realized that adding ‘wow, ’baby’ or ‘death’ would make any song into the Imawano style,” he said.

 At the end of the concert, he introduced the members of his band “Rock Tsuri Band,” an all-male group that always plays at his concerts.

 

Lots of balloons dropping on the audience



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Apr.20, 2015)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/04/17/special-supplements/concerts-revive-old-favorites-showcase-original-tunes/#.VTiDJP0cTIW

 

People enjoyed "group sounds & folk" and original songs sung by 'The Human Jukebox' ! (2)

  In the first concert, he sang “Swan no Namida”(Tears of a swan)by Ox, “Sukisa Sukisa Sukisa”(I love you, I love you, I love you) by The Carnabeats, “Ban Ban Ban” by The Spiders, “Kimi Dake ni Ai o” (Love only for you) , “Seaside Bound” by The Tigers, “Okuru Kotoba”(sending you on your way) by Kaientai and other songs by popular Japanese bands from the 60s and 70s.

  In Japan, “Group Sounds” or bands won popularity most in the late 60s.

  Dr.Handa said, “I sang some group sounds and realized that they still sound wonderful today. Therefore I picked some good songs.”



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Apr.20, 2015)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/04/17/special-supplements/concerts-revive-old-favorites-showcase-original-tunes/#.VTiDJP0cTIW

People enjoyed "group sounds & folk" and original songs sung by 'The Human Jukebox' ! (1)

 Dr.Handa held two concerts on Apr. 8 and 10 where he performed "group sounds & folk" of the 60s and 70s, and his original songs.

 The concerts were titled “One-man "group sounds & folk “concert!” for the concert on Apr. 8, and “Toshu Fukami All Original Concert!” for the concert on Apr.10. Both concerts were sponsored by the Tokyo art Foundation (TAF) chaired by Dr.Handa.

 The first concert featured 27 songs, while 28 were performed in the second one. In both concerts, the number of audience surpassed 1000.

  At the beginning of the first concert, Dr.Handa said, “It’s nice to have a concert on the birthday of Buddha,”




Dr.Handa sings at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on April 10.



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Apr.20, 2015)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/04/17/special-supplements/concerts-revive-old-favorites-showcase-original-tunes/#.VTiDJP0cTIW



 

Dr.Handa's Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition! (5)

  The works exhibited included those shown in the British Museum as “Tiger Stumped by a Question,” “Sunset over Lake Inawashiro” and “Penguin family on an Iceberg.”

 

  Calligraphy pieces included “The god Athena would make this kind of katsu,” ”Zeus would make this kind of katsu” and “Shinda”(The Serpent God).

 

 

Dr.Handa explaining his suibokuga (Mt.Fuji)  to the audience in the British Museum



Dr.Handa painting a large calligraphy piece 'Dragon God' in the British Museum


 

The venue for the exhibition in the British Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Mar.31, 2015)

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/03/31/special-supplements/art-exhibition/#.VTc5Nv0cTIW

Dr.Handa's Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition! (4)

 After speeches by the politicians and video messages from around the world, Dr.Handa welcomed guests to the ceremony, saying, "Thank you very much for coming; I really appreciate all the warm congratulations from so many people." Following this, he said the British Museum wanted to display his calligraphies and suibokuga because it was interested in art ‘done only with black ink.’

 Dr.Handa then painted a large calligraphy piece, “Tenshin” (The Heart Of The Universe) on paper which is about the size of a table tennis table.

 Timothy Clark, Head of the Japanese Section, department of Asia, British Museum said in a pamphlet introducing Dr.Handa’s works, “Dr.Handa uses a free and playful range of styles, and is not limited to a single approach, subject matter or material.”

 Dr.Handa’s demonstration was followed by a ribbon-cutting to open the Tokyo exhibition.

 

 

 

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Mar.31, 2015)

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/03/31/special-supplements/art-exhibition/#.VTc5Nv0cTIW

 

Dr.Handa's Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition! (3)

Politicians who greeted him included Shizuka Kamei, who is also the International foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) honorary chairman, Ichiro Ozawa, Kunio Hatoyama, Muneo Suzuki, Banri Kaieda and Katsuei Hirasawa. Many of them are former party leaders and have held multiple ministerial posts.

 Mr.Kamei said, “(Handa) sensei can write calligraphy, paint and sing. He excels in many genres.”

Mr.Ozawa former president of the Democratic Party of Japan, said, “I don’t know much about it, but (Handa)sensei’s works are impressive.”

Beside, celebrities, musicians and around the world, including Renee Fleming, provided a video message and happy birthday song for Dr.Handa. Also, Richard Armitage, former U.S. deputy secretary of state, congratulated Dr.Handa via video. Mr.Armitage is a trustee of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), an organization which is a partner in the Global Opinion Leaders Summit, organized and held annually by Worldwide Support for Development (WSD), an organization Dr. Handa also chairs.

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Mar.31, 2015)

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/03/31/special-supplements/art-exhibition/#.VTc5Nv0cTIW

 

 

 

 

Dr.Handa's Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition! (2)

  Dr.Handa held an opening ceremony for his solo painting and calligraphy exhibition in Tokyo on March 18.

  The exhibition at Laforet Museum Roppongi held from Mar.18 to 31 displays Dr.Handa’s 2727 works, which include 1659 paintings, 1005 calligraphy pieces and 63 three-dimentional works. It also includes works which were displayed at the British Museum from Nov.29 to Dec.1, 2014.

  The opening ceremony began with greetings from supporters, many of whom were well-known politicians, who congratulated Dr.Handa.

  The exhibition was called “Toshu Fukami’s 15^th Solo Birthday Exhibition” and “Toshu Fukami’s Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition!” Also, Its official name is “Ink-to-the-Left, Paint-to-the-Right, So-Much-to-See-You-Won’t Know-What-to-do-Solo Exhibit!”

 

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Mar.31, 2015)

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/03/31/special-supplements/art-exhibition/#.VTc5Nv0cTIW

 

 

 

 

Dr.Handa's Celebrated Return from the British Museum Solo Exhibition! (1)

 

 Dr.Haruhisa Handa's solo painting and calligraphy exhibition "Captivating Calligraphy” was held at the British Museum from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, 2014.

 The Museum decided to hold the exhibition after taking up some proposals from one of its curators who gave high praise for Dr.Fukami’s art work.

 On the first day of the exhibition, Dr.Fukami gave a live demonstration of large-scale calligraphy and link wash paintings while providing commentary.

 He captivated visitors with taiko drumming, Noh and flute performances which led to providing them with a good understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.

Dr.Handa creating larg-scale calligraphy