The “Evangelion and Japanese Swords” Exhibition in Paris and Madrid:
3.3 meter-long replica Lance of Longinus, Counter Sword, Others.
Full English Info, Images
The Evangelion and Japanese Swords exhibition kicked off in 2012 at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum in Okayama Prefecture before wowing anime fans and sword enthusiasts in several cities across Japan.
Now, the “big blade-fest” will take it on the road when the exhibition opens in Paris this spring and Madrid during the summer.
About 20 replicas of weapons featured in the new “Evangelion” animated film series will be on display. The blades were forged by traditional Japanese swordsmiths with time-honored techniques
In Paris, the exhibition will take place at the Japan Foundation’s Maison de la culture du Japon a Paris from April 30 through June 21. It will move to the Museo ABC in Madrid from July 5 through Sept. 28.
Replicas of the fork-shaped “Lance of Longinus,” “Bizen Osafune” and other weapons crucial in the animated films will be featured, in addition to blades, mountings, guards and other artifacts from the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) and Edo Period (1603-1867).
Life-size figures of anime characters and original drawings will also be on display.
A curator of the Bizen Osafune museum will provide lectures, while artisans will demonstrate sword-making techniques at the venues.
Paris, France
Dates: April 30 – June 21, 2014
Venue: Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris
Madrid, Spain
Dates: July 5 – September 28, 2014
Venue: Museo ABC (ABC Museum)
Organizers: The Japan Foundation (Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris), Museo ABC (Spain)
In Cooperation with: Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum, All Japan Swordsmith Association Operation Department, GroundWorks: Co., Ltd.
Displayed works:
20 works including swords and lances created with inspiration from the animation’s film series Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition
Swords, koshirae1 (sword mountings), tsuba (sword guards), and tsukamae2 (sword handle wrappings) from Kamakura to Edo period, and others
Life-size figures and reproductions of the original drawings from Evangelion : New Theatrical Edition, and many more
Lectures by a curator of the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum and sword-making demonstrations by swordsmiths will be held during the course of the exhibition.
1 koshirae: This refers to mountings of a Japanese sword and includes the handle, sword guard, and scabbard.
2 tsukamae: This refers to the handle alone, unattached to the koshirae. It is wrapped by materials such as sharkskin, plaited thread, and leather string
Contact:
The Japan Foundation
Europe, Middle East and Africa Section, Arts and Culture Dept.
Persons in charge: Nakajima (Ms.), Nagata (Ms.)
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6063
Email: Q_europe_mideast_africa＠jpf.go.jp
(When sending an e-mail, please enter a half-width character “@” instead of a full-width character “＠.”).
