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Letters and Messages |
Remarks by Consul-General Nozomu Takaoka
at the Texas Quilt Museum
to celebrate the launch of Teresa Wong's new book
on October 3, 2015
October 3, 2015
Good afternoon everyone,
We are happy to join you today to celebrate the launch of Teresa Wong’s new book, “Japanese Contemporary Quilts and Quilters: The Story of an American Import”. Thank you to Ms. Karey Bresenhan and Ms. Nancy O’Bryant, Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the Texas Quilt Museum, for including us in this special occasion.
One of the first instances of the Stars and Stripes was produced by quilting and it is incredible that this art has become so popular in Japan. I commend Ms. Wong for shining a light on Japanese quilting, and showing how so many Japanese quilters share their passion with their American friends.
Last year my wife and I attended the International Quilt Festival. Thanks to my wife’s interest I learned that Texas is a great center of quilting in the United States. Among so many beautiful, detailed and exquisite works, Japanese quilters were also featured in the Festival. I’m also happy to be here today to give my support to American quilters as well as Japanese quilters like Etsuko Takahashi and Noriko Endo, whose works are now featured in this museum.
Lastly, I would like to thank you again, Ms. Wong and everyone involved in today’s event, for once again remaindering us of this beautiful and skillful form of art, and the richness of Japan-U.S. cultural exchange.