Islamabad: September 3, 2014

The art works of Japanese Woodblock Prints made by the participants of a week-long workshop held earlier was showcased in an exhibition inaugurated today at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. Mr. Takashi Katae, Chargé d’   Affaires, Embassy of Japan, inaugurated the exhibition which was attended by a sizeable gathering of art lovers and general public. The exhibition was organized by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Rawalpindi Arts Council, Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association and the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Embassy of Japan organized a five-day workshop for teaching the techniques of making Japanese Woodblock Print in May this year at the Nomad Art Gallery. The workshop which was conducted by Dr. Shahida Mansoor was largely participated by the teachers, students and general public having interest in handmade paper prints.  Dr Shahida Mansoor studied Japanese woodblock print making from Tokyo National University of Arts and Music, on Monbusho scholarship which was granted to her by the Government of Japan.
Mr. Takashi Katae, Chargé d’   Affaires, Embassy of Japan, while expressing his views at the occasion said that woodblock prints were initially used as early as the eighth century in Japan to disseminate texts, especially Buddhist scriptures and to print designs on paper and silk. With the passage of time, their subject matter expanded to include famous romantic vistas and eventually, in the final years of the nineteenth century, dramatic historical events, informed Mr. Katae.
Mr. Takashi Katae expressed his pleasure to see the art works of participants of different age groups which were put on display at the exhibition. He appreciated the amateur artists for quickly learning the basics of Japanese woodblock print making during the workshop. He also extended his earnest gratitude to Dr. Shahida Mansoor for taking the initiative of spreading this unique Japanese art in Pakistan.
The exhibition will remain displayed till 9th of September at the premises of Rawalpindi Arts Council. (End)

Speech of Mr. Takashi Katae, Charge` d'Affaires, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan

Observations Dr. Shahida Mansoor, Woodblock Print Making Expert