Da Nang’s Museum of Cham Sculpture is hosting an exhibition entitled ‘The World of Viet Nam in Microcosms’ from 20 October to 12 November.

‘A Hoi An Street’ work by Toba Mika (Photo: Vietnamnews)

On display are the works of the Japanese painter TOBA Mika.  Deeply inspired by her various journeys to Viet Nam starting in 1994, the Japanese painter creates colourful, impressive and thought-provoking images of Viet Nam in transition by using Katazome - a centuries old unique Japanese dyeing technique.

Katazome is a Japanese stencil dyeing technique that originates more than a thousand years ago.  It uses a paste-resist process and is used to dye both cloth and paper.  Katazome incorporates elements of printmaking and painting, and relies on simple natural materials: paper, rice paste and soymilk.  This technique consists of 18 complicated stages.

The exhibition is the 7^th of its kind that has been held in Viet Nam by painter Toba Mika, which has helped to deepen the bilateral cooperative relations between Viet Nam and Japan.

Graduated from the Kyoto City University of Arts, the Japanese painter has developed a new style of painting by using the traditional Katazome technique.

Following her first visit to Viet Nam in 1994, Toba Mika immediately felt an invisible connection between Katazome paintings and Viet Nam’s scenery and cultural heritage, which prompted her to make several trips to Viet Nam. 

In Japan, the Japanese painter has received a total of 19 prestigious awards, including ‘Urban Culture Incentive Award’ and the ‘Kyoto Arts New Artist Award’.  She received the Foreign Minister’s Award for her active involvement in promoting friendship between Japan and Viet Nam through her works and cultural activities. The Vietnamese Government has also given her its Cultural Testimonial Award.