UNIQUELY TAIKOMOCHI

The talk on "Taikomochi Art" took place on September 17, 2008 at University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH). It was a good occasion for audience in Vietnam to learn more about the traditional cultural trait of Japan and meet Taikomochi Arai, one of the only five taikomochi in "Land of the Rising Sun" nowadays.

People may know the definition of “geisha”, meanwhile “taikomochi” seems to be a strange one. Talking about “geisha”, people may all think of females rather males, meanwhile the word “geisha” includes both female entertainers (geiko, maiko) and male entertainers (taikomochi). We can call them “clowns” in informal way because they are considered party masters who bring joy and laughter to guests in banquets. Audience in Vietnam have had a talk with Taikomochi Arai, one of the only five taikomochi in Japan nowadays. The talk took place on September 17, 2008 at University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH). After University of Warszawa (Poland), USSH was his second international appearance.

The talk organized by Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies and Center for Japanese Studies went with joy and friendliness. There were attendance of Mr. Ikuo Mizuki Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Eizo Kubozono; Professor Vo Van Sen, Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, HCMC; Nguyen Tien Luc, Ph.D., head of Center for Japanese Studies; Ho Chi Minh City Television Station (HTV); Tuoi Tre, Sai Gon Giai Phong, Nguoi Lao Dong, the local newspapers; as well as lecturers and students of USSH. Ms. Eriko Watanobe – General Director of Nhat Viet Garment Co., Ltd. and Mr. Kurimoto Mitsuharu – General Director of Top Globis also saved their time to attend the talk. They extended their cooperation goodwill with USSH in human resources training and cultural preservation of the two countries.

Arai’s presentation of the origin and development of Taikomochi Art as well as his performance drew much attention of the audience. In the time of dominant modern trends, the talk of Taikomochi Arai sent attendants a message of preserving and developing traditional cultural values of both Japan and Vietnam. What have we done so far?

Taikomochi Arai received gift of souvenir from Prof Vo Van Sen, USSH's Rector.

Taikomochi Arai with Prof. Dr. Võ Văn Sen and His Exellency Ikuo Mizuki, Consul General of Japan in Hồ Chí Minh City and Japanese friends who have many contributions to USSH's education development.

The talk made headline in local newspapers:

Tuoi Tre: http://www.tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.aspx?ArticleID=279069&ChannelID=10

Sai Gon Giai Phong:http://www.sggp.org.vn/vanhoavannghe/2008/9/165842/

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