As a foreign country, how do you image the
Republic of Poland? Country where Chopin was born? Or country where Chopin
Competition will be held? Japan and
Poland share a variety of historical episode.
Do you know the Józef Pilsudski? . He is
the first president of the second Republic of Poland.
Poland was the powerhouse of Central
Europe. Part of the current Belarus and Ukraine have also been included in the
country. But in the 18th century, Poland was occupied by Prussia, Austria,
Russia. "Poland" was disappeared from the map. However, Poland became
independent again after the first World War. This is the second Republic of
Poland. Józef Pilsudski even now is the hero of Poland.
In fact, his brother Bronislaw Pilsudski
was married to a Japanese. He was married to a woman of "Ainu", which
is the indigenous people of Hokkaido. His children were moved to Hokkaido
(northern Japan) after the Second World War.
***
Another episode is about Chiune Sugihara
(SUGIHARA Chiune). He is famous as a humanist who issued the "life of the
visa." He helped the Jews who tries to escape from Nazi persecution.
SUGIHARA was diplomat. However, he was also
the intelligence officer. He collected the information in cooperation with the
Polish people.
***
In most cases, the Japanese embassy in the
capital of each country plays a role in promoting Japanese culture. However, we
will be able to see a little different situation in Poland.
For example, activities to spread the
Japanese culture is very popular in local city Lodz in Poland. Lodz is the
third largest city of Poland in the population.
In Lodz, there is a Film Academy, which was
founded after the Second World War. It has become the "face" of the
city. Animation production company has also been founded in Lodz.
After the Second World War, in the cultural
exchange between Japan and Poland, movies played an important role. Such a
cultural exchange has been just done in Lodz. In Poland Akira Kurosawa of
"Seven Samurai" is a legendary hero.
After political system conversion, Japanese
pop culture began to be attention in Poland. At that time, Japanese-made
animated film via Italy had been actively aired on TV. For example, really
nostalgic "wolf boy Ken". In maniac works, "Cowboy Bebop",
and so on.
However, such new trend does not become a
majority. Even now, a major concern for the Japanese culture of Poland people
are traditional items, kimono, sushi, ikebana, etc.. In the TV movie,
"Shogun" and "Oshin" was the popular.
***
There are Yakomo-goto club (www.yakumo-goto.pl)
as one of the active organization. It is run by Professor of Lodz University.
Event called "Japan Days" by this organization has become annual.
Also in 2015 and is scheduled to be held in April.