Japanese Art Of Bon-Kei Described

Press, Volume C, Issue 29634, 3 October 1961, Page 2

Japanese Art Of Bon-Kei Described

Bon-kei, traditional Japanese art which has grown tremendously in popularity since the Second World War, is a favourite hobby of the wife of the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand, Mrs Kaoru Han. She described it in an interview in Christchurch yesterday, when she and Mr Hara arrived on a short visit. Bon-kei meant interpreting landscapes and seascapes into sand pictures, Mrs Hara said. It required a special type of crystal sand, which, with the little rocks and pebbles used, was bought commercially. The sand was placed in a black lacquered tray and features such as rivers, sea-waves, or mountains were traced with a feather. The stones and pebbles were arranged round

the tray on a little table to complete the picture. Although no colours appeared in the finished article, a beautiful harmony of black and white was achieved, Mrs Hara said. She has brought sand, pebbles and the special lacquered trays with her to New Zealand, and hopes to make a scene ot the view from her Kelburr (Wellington) home. Mrs Hara's other interests included knitting, and she plays a little golf. She is, naturally, absorbed in her country’s other traditional art—flower arrangements. She has already addressed a large group of Young Women's Christian Association members in Wellington on the subject, but hopes to learn New Zealand methods. Much Entertaining Like most diplomats' wives. Mrs Hara does a great deal of entertaining. She has brought her own servants with her from Japan—a male cook and his wife, who is the housekeeper. Mis Hara is well used to Western housekeeping and life now. She has accompanied her husband on diptoi matic missions to Britain, the United States. Italy. Brazil and Burma. This is the first time she has been to New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Hara have been in Wellington since July, and will probably stay in the Dominion for two or three years. Their elder son, Selichi. aged 25, la doing a master’s degree in economics at the Victoria University of Wellington, and the younger son, Shunji, aged 23, is studying economics at university in Tokyo. Mr and Mrs Hara were the guests of the Japan Society last evening. Tonight they will give a reception in the

city. They will leave for Dunedin on Friday.