Tuesday, May 13th
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Independence Visitor Center
599 Market Street, 1 N. Independence Mall W., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free Event | Directions
Join JASGP for a special ceremony for the unveiling of a calligraphy masterpiece, donated by Master Ebihara Rogen, in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
Calligraphy is considered the world’s oldest abstract art form – the art of the line. Its rich and long history in Asia began in China over 3,000 years ago. Adopted by Korea and Japan 1,500 years ago, calligraphy is now practiced, prized and collected as a beautiful and elegant art form around the world.
This will be a rare opportunity to meet calligraphy Master Ebihara Rogen, from Japan, for the unveiling of his donated work.
The event will also feature musical performances by Philadelphia Orchestra's principal bassoonist, Daniel Matsukawa and students from the Curtis Institute. There will also be a koto performance by Mirai Yasuyama. The koto is one of the various Asian zithers, originating from the Chinese guzheng, widely practiced and appreciated.
A reception will follow the unveiling of the calligraphy and the musical performances.
Article featuring the creation of the calligraphy:
"The spirit of Japan and the United States resonates in a world heritage city – Weekly NY Life Web Edition"
Ebihara Rogen
Ebihara Rogen is a renowned Japanese calligrapher celebrated for his mastery of brushwork and profound artistic expression. Rogen’s calligraphy performances have captivated audiences worldwide for decades, and his works are in the collections of the Canadian Museum of History, the Japanese Embassy in France, the Daming Temple in China, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum of History, the Italian Embassy in Japan, and the Hotel Gajoen in Tokyo.
Daniel Matsukawa
Mr. Matsukawa is principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has been a recipient of numerous awards and prizes, including a solo concerto debut in Carnegie Hall at age eighteen. Since then he has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra; the National, Virginia, and Curtis symphony orchestras; the New York String Orchestra under Alexander Schneider; the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand; and the Sapporo Symphony in Japan.
Mirai Yasuyama
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mirai Yasuyma began studying the koto and shamisen at the age of seven under the guidance of her grandmother. Since moving to Philadelphia in 1996, she has shared the beauty of traditional Japanese music through solo performances at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Mirai is passionate about introducing the koto to everyone, using music as a way to foster a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture. Mirai is also a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. As an architect, she has played a key role in the restoration and preservation of Shofuso, helping to safeguard this cultural treasure for future generations.
Kei Saotome
Kei Saotome was born in Japan and started playing the violin at the age of four. At the age of seven, she performed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. In 2014, she attended the Aspen Music Festival and School to study with Masao Kawasaki and was selected to perform solo at the Festival’s concert. Kei performed at Munetsugu Hall, the Miyazaki International Music Festival, Viola Space 2024, and many others, and was also a fellow at the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy. She took master classes from Nobuko Imai, Tabea Zimmermann, and the Juilliard String Quartet.
In September 2024, she entered the Curtis Institute of Music as a Shaun F. O’Malley Fellow and is currently studying with Erin Keefe, Benjamin Beilman, and Ida Kavafian.
Soohyurn Lee
Soo studies viola with Hsin-Yun Huang and Misha Amory at Curtis Institute as a first year Bachelor student. Music has been a deep part of her life ever since she joined many youth orchestras at eleven years old. She attended the Perlman Music Program in the summers of 2023 and 2024 to first learn about the magic of chamber music. As a native of South Korea, but born in Japan, she has intimate connections with Asian communities and wishes to make a promising contribution.
Your donation helps to support Japanese arts, business, and cultural programs in Philadelphia including the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, lectures and workshops, preservation of Shofuso, and much more.
