The "Unbroken Heritage: Huangbo Culture Exhibition" and Related Events Open in Tokyo, Japan

On the afternoon of October 4, the "Unbroken Heritage: Huangbo Culture Exhibition," part of the 2021 Fujian Culture Year series, was grandly inaugurated at the China Cultural Center in Tokyo。

Attendees at the opening ceremony included Luo Yuquan, Director of the China Cultural Center; Hirodo Kondo, Chief Abbot of Obaku Sect’s Manpukuji Temple in Japan; Kiyomizu Seno, former Japanese Consul General in Chongqing and President of the Japan-China Friendship Association; Huang Xingyuan, Chinese Representative Director of the Japan-China Friendship Center; Tetsuji Nagata, Executive Director of the Japan-China Friendship Association; Araki Masatake, Secretary General of the Obaku Sect’s Manpukuji Temple; Kiichi Matsuzaka, President of the General Incorporated Association for Huangbo Cultural Promotion; Noritaka Takeuchi, Chairman of the 350th Anniversary Committee of Master Ingen; Kaori Naito, Head of Donglin-in Temple; and Liu Lisheng, Representative of the Fujian Overseas Cultural Station in Japan, among nearly 60 friendly representatives from various fields in China and Japan。

The exhibition was co-hosted by the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the China Cultural Center in Tokyo, organized by the Fujian Overseas Cultural Station (Japan), and strongly supported by many Obaku-related temples and institutions in Japan. The exhibition consists of two parts: a photo exhibit and an artifact display. It features 40 curated photographs that systematically outline Master Ingen's journey to Japan to spread Buddhism, highlight the essence of Huangbo culture, and summarize its profound impact on Japanese society and daily life.Nearly 30 precious artifacts were provided by institutions and individuals, including Shinshoji Temple, Sai-in Temple, Donglin-in Temple, Kaiboji Temple, the Huangbo Culture Promotion Association, and Kaori Naito. These items vividly demonstrate the vital role of Huangbo culture as a bridge and link for cultural exchange between China and Japan, showcasing the cultural origins and historical ties between the two nations。

Shi Yongjing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, sent her congratulations via a video message.She stated that this year marks the Fujian Culture Year, and she was delighted to see the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the China Cultural Center, in collaboration with institutions such as the Fujian Overseas Cultural Station (Japan), the Huangbo Culture Promotion Association, and the Fuqing Huangbo Culture Promotion Association, successfully hosting the Huangbo Culture Exhibition and related events during China’s National Day period, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, she extended warm congratulations. Counselor Shi said that Huangbo culture originated in Fuqing, Fujian. Its founder, Master Ingen, brought Ming and Qing culture to Japan, profoundly influencing Japanese society and life in areas such as Buddhism, philosophy, literature, architecture, painting, printing, and calligraphy.The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, a new starting point for both countries. Let us work together to further enhance bilateral friendship and cultural exchanges。

Luo Yuquan, Director of the China Cultural Center, remarked in his opening speech that Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges have a long history, with Buddhism playing an important role, as seen in historical missions to the Sui and Tang Dynasties.However, the Huangbo culture introduced to Japan by Master Ingen during the Ming and Qing periods is relatively unknown. It has had a significant impact on Japanese society and life in areas such as cuisine, calligraphy, and painting. This year, while preparing for this event, I had the opportunity to visit Manpukuji Temple in Uji, Kyoto, for the first time. I was deeply impressed and moved by the temple’s resemblance to Chinese architecture and its grand scale. I hope that after the pandemic, more Chinese visitors can come to Huangbo temples with historical ties to China, using Huangbo culture as a bridge to further promote Sino-Japanese cultural exchange。

In his speech, Kondo Hirodo, Chief Abbot of the Obaku Sect’s Manpukuji Temple in Kyoto, noted that Master Ingen’s propagation of Buddhism in Japan brought Ming and Qing culture and artifacts from China to Japan, profoundly influencing Japanese society and daily life. This exhibition allows us to re-examine this history and enables more people to understand the immeasurable contributions of Master Ingen.In 2022, the Obaku Sect’s Manpukuji Temple plans to launch events commemorating the 350th anniversary of Master Ingen’s passing. These events will continue to promote Master Ingen’s virtues and good deeds, carry forward the spirit of fearless generosity, further deepen the friendship between China and Japan, and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two nations。

In his speech, Kiyomizu Seno, former Consul General of Japan in Chongqing and President of the Japan-China Friendship Association, remarked that this year marks the Fujian Culture Year, and Huangbo culture, which originated in Fujian, has had a significant impact on Japanese social life.Items such as Fucha cuisine, Ingen beans, agar, Ming-style fonts, and manuscript paper styles were all brought to Japan by Master Ingen and have been passed down to the present day.Next year marks the 350th anniversary of Master Ingen’s passing. It is hoped that China and Japan can deepen mutual understanding and promote further exchange and cooperation。

Kiichi Matsuzaka, President of the General Incorporated Association for Huangbo Cultural Promotion, delivered a speech.He stated that with Master Ingen’s arrival in Japan and the establishment of the Obaku sect, Ming and Qing culture, along with advanced technologies from China, were introduced to Japan. These influences had a broad impact on Japanese society and life, forming a comprehensive cultural system known as Huangbo culture.Moving forward, the Huangbo Culture Promotion Association aims to continue promoting the Huangbo culture introduced by Master Ingen, further deepening the historical and cultural ties between China and Japan, and contributing to the future friendship between the two nations。

After the guest speeches concluded, attendees and the audience watched a video about the Obaku sect, which provided a detailed introduction to the historical origins of Manpukuji Temple, the main temple of the sect founded by Master Ingen。

On the day of the event, the organizers specially invited Liao Chiyang, a researcher on Sino-Japanese exchange history and a professor at Musashino Art University, and Yasumichi Serizawa, President of the Obaku Sect Missionary Association and Chief Priest of Senshoji Temple, to deliver talks on the topics "Huangbo Culture and Sino-Japanese Exchange" and "Culinary Culture in Huangbo Culture," respectively. They discussed the profound impact of Huangbo culture on Sino-Japanese cultural exchange and Japanese society.The lectures were informative and engaging, earning unanimous praise from the guests and audience in attendance。

Japanese attendees expressed that they previously knew little about Huangbo culture. By participating in this event, they gained a deeper understanding of Huangbo culture and the Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges behind it. They also expressed hope to visit Fujian, the birthplace of Huangbo culture, for sightseeing and cultural exchange in the future to learn more about it。

During the exhibition, a series of themed activities will also be held, including Huangbo culture tea ceremony performances, guqin cultural lectures and concerts, and workshops on Huangbo-style painting techniques。