Japanese Exchange
Japanese Consul General holds cultural presentation, renowned Japanese pianist performs music event


Tri-State University hosted a day of Japanese cultural exchange in April that featured a seminar by Yutaka Yoshizawa, consul general from the Japanese consulate's Midwest Region office, and a piano performance by Japanese artist Yasuko Furukawa.

The Japanese guests visited Tri-State University in conjunction with a cultural exchange program between community leaders and their Japanese counterparts. These events serve as a follow-up to the November trade mission trip to Japan attended by members of Steuben County government and Tri-State University.

Yoshizawa launched the festivities with a discussion on Japanese culture followed by a question-and-answer session. Then faculty, staff, students, and guests attended a ceremonial tree planting in honor of Yoshizawa and his Vice Consul General Ryusuke Shimada's visit to Tri-State University.

"The longest and first recorded culture in Japanese history was the Jomon culture," said Bob Remington, vice president of Institutional Advancement. "Also dubbed the "tree culture," the Jomon culture noted the importance of trees in building construction, ceremonial ornaments, and for use as daily implements. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor Yutaka Yoshizawa, the Japanese consul general from the Midwest Region office, and Vice Consul Ryusuke Shimada with a distinctive tree at Tri-State University. This tree not only shows our honored appreciation of this visit, but also represents their contribution to the construction of a cultural exchange that will help us to remember not only the cultures of the past, such as the Jomon culture, but also help us to cultivate a culture of the future: a culture that is versed in global diversity and understanding."

"I hope to come back in 10 to 20 years and see how this tree has grown. So please take good care of it," laughed Yoshizawa.

Following the reception, piano-great Yasuko Furukawa played a recital. Furukawa, whose music has been described as "dynamic, yet sensitive," has played extensive concerts for Japanese nobles, as well as a special recital dedicated to the King of Brunei and his royal family.