R EPORTOF
ACTIVITIES

7th—13th October, 2015
Dublin | Waterford | Tramore | Galway | Congorganizers:
The Little Museum of Dublin, Sanin Japan-Ireland Association, The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens,
Dublin City University and others
co-organizers:
Emabassy of Japan in Ireland, Matsue City, Waterford City, Galway 2020 and others
sponsors & supporters:
Emabassy of Ireland in Japan,
Japan Foundation (An Exhibition “Coming Home—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn” / Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance)and others

Contents

Schedule of Events

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An Exhibition “Coming Home—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”

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6
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Opening Ceremony
Lectures & Music “Lafcadio at Home”
Workshop “The Dublin Haunting of Lafcadio Hearn” by Paul Murray

Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo— Visitors from the World Beyond”

8Freiendship Events at The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore

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Welcome Reception invited by Waterford City and County Council hosted by the Mayor of Waterford 12
Unveiling of a “Releif of Koizumi Yakumo” presented by Matsue City
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Welcome Event at Tramore Coastgurd Cultural Centre
14
Mami Yoneyama Organ Ricital
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Lectures “Hearn and Japan” & Japanese Tea Ceremony at Dublin City University
Welcome Event in Cong
Presentation at the Residence (Aras an Uachtarain) to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins
Reception Hosted by the Japanese Ambassador
Lafcadio Hearn Tour in Dublin
Kyoji Yamamoto Live in Galway

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Advertisement Design
Articles24
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Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”
editor: Sanin Japan-Ireland Association
photos: Shiro Sano, Toru Tazura, Yuji Meshiko, Reiko Tsuboi, Noriko Kawashima, Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance and others
design: Kiyoharu Ishikawa
Published on 25th March, 2016
by Sanin Japan-Ireland Association
hearn2015.sanin-japan-ireland.org
www.facebook.com/hearn2014
Copyright © 2015 The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home2

Schedule of Eventday

Wed 7th Oct

Thu 8th Oct

Fri 9 OctthSat 10th Oct

Sun 11th Oct

Mon 12th Oct
Tue 13 Oct
th

city

time

Dublin2.30pmResidence of the President(Aras an Uachtarain)

Presentation to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

6pm

The Little Museum of Dublin

Opening Ceremony of an Exhibition “Coming Home—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”

8pm

Residence of Japanese Ambassador

Reception Hosted by the Japanese Ambassador Chihiro
Atsumi2pm

Dublin City University

Lectures “Hearn and Japan”
Japanese Tea Ceremony

6pm

The Little Museum of Dublin

Lectures & Music “Lafcadio at Home”

DublinDublinvenue

9.30amschedule

Lafcadio Hearn Tour in Dublin

1.30pm

St. Ann’s Church

Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo— Visitors from the World Beyond”

Waterford

7pm

Waterford City Hall

Welcome Reception invited by Waterford City andCounty Council hosted by the Mayor of Waterford

Tramore11am

The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens

Unveiling of a “Releif of Koizumi Yakumo” presented by
Matsue City

3pm

Tramore Coastguard Cultural
CentreAn Exhibition “Lafcadio Hearn—From Tramore to Mastue”
Short Speech “Lafcadio Hearn Historical Center —Genesis, Function, Future”
Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Holy Cross Church

Mami Yoneyama Organ Ricital

12pm

Sweetbriar Lodge

Welcome Tea Party

Waterford

3pm

The Garter Lane Arts Centre

Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo— Visitors from the World Beyond”

Galway6.30pmThe King’s Head Pub

Kyoji Yamamoto Live in Galway

Tramore 11.15am

Cong 10.30am
Galway5pm
6.30pmThe Crossroads Community Centre Welcome Event in Cong
Galway 2020

Welcome Reception in Galway

The Nun’s Island Theatre

Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo— Visitors from the World Beyond”

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

3

An Exhibition “Coming Home
—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”

date: Wednesday 7th October, 2015–Sunday 3rd January, 2016
venue: The Little Museum of Dublin, Exhibition Roomorganizer: The Little Museum of Dublin
co-organizers: Emabassy of Japan in Ireland, Sanin
Japan-Ireland Association
sponsors & supporters: The Ireland Funds, Dublin
City Council, Matsue City, Lafcadio Hearn Memorial
Museum, Ireland Japan Association, The Koizumi Family,
Takis Efstathiou, The Hearn Society, The Japan Foundation
curators: Simon O’Connor & John Moarn
The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn, which had been planned
to be held in Dublin since 2012, was finally held in Ireland,
Hearn’s homeland. Simon O’Connor, a curator of The Little
Museum of Dublin which was a venue of this exhibition, John
Moran, a journalist of The Irish Times and Paul Murray, abiographer of Lafcadio Hearn, were in the center of the
preparation of the special exhibition titled, “Coming Home—The
Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”. As a ‘Coming Home
Exhibition’ of a writer who is still almost unknown to the peopleof Ireland, the exhibition attracted a lot of attention.
Even though Hearn spent his childhood in Ireland, he had
never come up to people’s mouths as he had to spend
unfortunate and lonely childhood due to his parents’ divorce
and bankruptcy of his grand aunt who brought him up.
Those who are involved have expressed their delight as his

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sprit finally returned home 111 years after his death.
Through several lectures and workshops featuring Hearn
planned to be held during the period of the exhibition, The
Little Museum has provided a good opportunity to learn
Japanese sprit and culture and is expected to plan more
activities for the purpose.
This project has been held (mainly organized by Matsue
City) as Art Exhibitions expressing Hearn’s open mind
through contemporary art in the cities related to Hearn since2009. The exhibition this time was a unique and attractive
one, drawing attentions of the people in Dublin. It is verysignificant in several ways; The Little Museum planned it byitself, sharing the title and concept with the previous ones,
about fifteen items housed in Lafcadio Hearn Memorial
Museum in Matsue were exhibited abroad for the first time,
Hearn’s works (owned by Takis Efstathiou) and his photos(owned by the Koizumi family) were exhibited.
Around eighty people attended the opening ceremony,
including Jimmy Deenihan, Minister of State at the
Departments of Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs with Special
Responsibility for the Diaspora, Chihiro Atsumi, Japanese
Ambassador to Ireland and Bon Koizumi, great grandson of
Hearn as distinguished guests. More than twenty newspaper
companies posted articles featuring this ceremony delivered
by Kyodo News in Japan.

An Exhibition “Coming Home—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

5Opening Ceremony

attendees: Approx 80 people (Only invited; Japansese, Irish,

date: Wednesday 7th October, 6–7.45pm
vips: Jimmy Deenihan (Minister of State at the Departments

Greek, American, English)

of Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for the
Diaspora), Chihiro Atsumi (Ambassador of Japan), Bon Koizumi(Great-grandson of Lafcadio Hearn)

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An Exhibition “Coming Home—The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn”

Lectures & Music “Lafcadio at Home”
date: Thursday 8th October, 6pm
lecturers: Bon Koizumi (Professor, University of Shimane;Great-grandson of Lafcadio Hearn), Paul Murray (Hearn
Biographer), John Moran ( Journalist, The Irish Times), Rodger S.
Williamson (Professor, The University of Kitakyushu)

Irish harp: Junshi Murakami
chairperson: Simon O’Connor (Curator, The Little Museumof Dublin)

attendees: Approx 70 people

Lectures“Lafcadio Hearn: Open Minded Rebellion in Print” by Rodger S. Williamson“Under the Volcano in St. Pierre” by John Moran“A Fantastic Journey: The Life & Literature of Lafcadio Hearn” by Paul Murray“Considering Lafcadio Hearn’s Open Mind from the Point of View of One Descendant” by Bon Koizumi

Workshop “The Dublin Haunting of Lafcadio Hearn” by Paul Murraydate: Wednesday 14th October, 7pm
presented by Dublin Shakespeare and the Ireland Japan Association
directer: Valerie Greene
attendees: Approx 50 people

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

7Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance“稀人 Maraudo — Visitors from the World Beyond”

Reading Performance of Lafcadio Hearn were held inthree cities related to Lafcadio Hearn; Dublin, Waterford
and Galway.
It was a performance of a high quality accomplished by
Shiro Sano, an actor who wrote the script and did thereading and Kyoji Yamamoto, a guitarist who composedmusic. Bon Koizumi, a Great grandson of Hearn delivered alecture prior to the performance. They showed a new
performance ‘稀人 Maraudo —Visitors from the World
Beyond’, which was a new script written for the performancein Ireland, depicting some unknown episodes of Hearn’schildhood and his works similar to Irish traditional legends
and fairy tales, through which the audience could get into
Hearn’s world smoothly. Sano successfully expressed Hearn’s
feeling toward his father which is a mixture of love andhatred as ‘Hearn’s return to his father’.
In each venue, the audience was attracted by the newstyle performance they had never seen and the performance
was given a standing ovation with many of audience having
tears in their eyes. It was a moment when we felt that Hearn
was warmly welcomed by the people of his homeland. We
believe that the stage arrangement including the subtitles
and photos shown on the back screen made the performanceeven more attractive.

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Considering that this reading performance has animportant role of introducing Hearn’s literature and hisdiversity and ‘Open Mind’ expressed in his works,
performing it in Ireland where myths, legends andtraditional music have been carried down by mouth and ears,
and oral culture still remains strongly, has a significant
meaning and we believe that the purpose of the performance
was achieved in that sense.
Especially in the performance in Galway, a town locatedin the western part of Ireland, Irish traditional music andstorytelling by a local storyteller were performed in the firstpart of the program, which must have helped the audiencestrongly feel the influence of Ireland on Hearn.
We appreciate cooperation and warm welcome of thelocal organizations involved in this event, including St. Ann’s
Church, Garter Lane Arts Center and Nun’s Island Theatre,
which contributed to the success of this event. Especially, thefact that Hearn’s great grandfather was a rector in thischurch makes us feel that there is a strange twist of fate.
Welcoming receptions were held, hosted by Japanese
Ambassador, Chihiro Atsumi in Dublin and by Cllr. John
Cummins, Mayor, in Waterford. In Galway, Galway 2020and Wa Cafe held a reception and Vice Mayor Naill
McNelis delivered welcoming remarks. We would like toLafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo — Visitors from the World Beyond”

extend our heartfelt appreciation toward Japanese Embassy,
Dublin and Irish Embassy to Tokyo who requested
cooperation to local organizations.
original text: Lafcadio Hearn
script & reading: Shiro Sanomusic: Kyoji Yamamotosuperviser: Bon Koizumi
English subtitles: Heather Dixon
stage direction: Nobuyuki Nishikori
assistant direction: Toru Nishikawa
producer: Shoko Koizumi
organizer: Sanin Japan-Ireland Association
co-organizer: Emabassy of Japan in Irelandsponsors & supporters: Matsue City, FEXCO,TOYOKO INN, KINKODO Ltd., St. Ann’s Church, Garter
Lane Arts Centre, Nun’s Island Theatre, Embassy of Irelandin Japan, Galway 2020, Galway Arts Centre, Wa Café, The
San-in Chuo Shimpo Newspaper Co.,Ltd.
cooperaters: Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland, Toshinobu
Takashima, Toru Tzura

Dublindate: Friday 9th October, 1.30pm
venue: St. Ann's Church, Dublin
lecture: Bon Koizumi
organ: Mami Yoneyama
admission: €10 (door charge)
attendees: Approx 250 people

Waterford
date: Sunday 11th October, 3pm
venue: Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford
lecture: Bon Koizumi
admission: freeattendees: Approx 150 people

Galwaydate: Tuesday 13th October, 6.30pm
venue: Nun’s Island Theatre, Galway
Irish music: Anders Trabjerg & Mayo Yanachi
storytelling: Rab Swannock Fulton
admission: €10attendees: Approx 250 people

Program
1. Lafcadio Hearn’s Brother (Atlantic Monthly, January 1923)
2. Hi-mawari (Kwaidan, 1904)
3. My Guardian Angel (The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn
by Elizabeth Bisland, 1906)
4. Mujina (Kwaidan, 1904)
5. Chin Chin Kobakama (The Japanese Fairy Tales, 1903)
6. A Living God (Gleanings in Buddha-Fields, 1897)
7. Hi-mawari (Kwaidan, 1904)

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

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Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance “稀人 Maraudo — Visitors from the World Beyond”

Welcome Reception in Galway
date: Tuesday 13th October, 5pm
venue: Galway 2020, Galwayorganizer: Galway 2020
supporter: Wa Café

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

11Friendship Eventsat The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore

Welcome Reception invited by Waterford City
and County Council hosted by the Mayor of
Waterford
date: Friday 9th October, 6.30pm
venue: Waterford City Hallattendees: Approx 60 people
A welcoming reception for the delegation of The Open
Mind of Lafcadio Hearn, consisting of 30 members, was heldat the City Hall hosted by Mayor and City Council of
Waterford. Mayor John Cummins, city officials and Agnes
Aylward from Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore attended
the reception. After Mamoru Naito, the leader of thedelegation delivered remarks , thanking the hospitality, the12Friendship Events at The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore

attendants had a good time talking each other over tea andsandwiches. Bon Koizumi presented a certification to themembers of CE scheeme who were incharge of creation of
the Garden.

Unveiling of a “Releif of Koizumi Yakumo”
presented by Matsue City
date: Saturday 10th October, 11am
venue: The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore
attendees: Approx 250 people: John Cummins (Mayorof Waterford), Anne Harper (Tramore Development Trust),
Agnes Aylward (The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens)
Matsue municipality donated a relief of Koizumi Yakumo(by Minoru Kurasawa, 2010) as a token of friendship on theoccasion of the opening of the Garden, and Tramore
Development Trust held a presentation ceremony at the timeof the visit of the delegation from Japan as a part of The Open
Mind project. Mayor, Cllr. Cummins stated in the ceremonythat he was glad to had a few thousands of visitors to thegarden since the opening in June and that Lafcadio Hearn

was recognized in Ireland for the first time. He also thanked
the donation of the relief and expressed his desire to build a
new friendship among Matsue, Waterford and Tramore.
Bon Koizumi, a great grandson of Hearn, made remarks,
followed by a message from Masataka Matsuura, Mayor of
Matsue City read by Mamoru Naito, a representative of thedelegation and unveiling of the relief by Mayor Cummins
and Bon Koizumi. The relief is exhibited in the venue of theexhibition for some time and will be moved to Visitor’sCenter, which is planned to be built on the premises of themuseum in few years.
The attendants participated in a tour of the garden after
the ceremony and enjoyed the 2.5 acre garden, guided byMartin Curran, a designer of the garden.

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

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Welcome Eventat Tramore Coastgurd Cultural Centre
date: Saturday 10th October, 3pm
venue: Tramore Coastgurd Cultural Centre, Tramore
attendees: Approx 100 people
An Exhibition “Lafcadio Hearn—From Tramore to Mastue”
duration: Saturday 10th—Sunday 18th October
Short Speech “Lafcadio Hearn Historical Center —Genesis, Function, Future”
speaker: Maria Genitsuariou (Curator of The Lafcadio
Hearn Historical Center, Lefkada)Japanese Tea Ceremony
instructors: Sachiko Nakamura, Makiko Nakamura,
Mamoru Naito
interpreter: Sonomi Leslie
To celebrate the opening of the garden, the Koizumi
family donated 25 photos of Hearn (including photos of his
family in Ireland) to Tramore. There was an exhibition ofaround 50 photos and panels including the ones donated by
the family, twelve photos of the places related to Hearn in
Matsue taken by Toshinobu Takashima to introduce Hearn’slife and his relation with Tramore. Some of books of Lafcadio
Hearn including beautiful Chirimen books donated by Takis
Efstathiou were also exhibited, attracting the visitors. During
the term, local residents and elementary school students
visited the exhibition to learn about Hearn.
Maria Genitsuariou, a curator of Lafcadio Hearn
Historical Center which opened in Lefkada last year spoke
about how the center was established and stated its current
activities and plans for the future. Her speech was received
with interest by the audience as one of the examples ofutilizing Hearn as a cultural resource to revitalize a town.
Shoko Koizumi, a representative of The Open Mind of
Lafcadio Hearn Project, also suggested that Lefkada, Tamore
and Matsue be hub cities to introduce Hearn to the world,
sharing information and deepening friendship.

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Friendship Events at The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, Tramore

Maria Genitauariou donated her own artwork titled “TheBoy Who Drew Cats” to Tramore. She expressed her desirethat this work would be a bidge of friendship between
Tramore, Lefkada and Matsue in the future.
Also, Takis Eftashiau donated several books written by
Lafcadio Hearn including some first editions and five‘chirimen books’ titled The Japanese Faily Tales.
Twelve photos titled “The Chief City of the Province of
the Gods” by Toshinobu Takashima, a photographer who isactive in Matsue, and around twelve photos including family
photos donated by the Koizumi family were also exhibited in
the exhibition.
The donated items are planned to be exhibited in thevisitor’s center which will open in the Lafcadio Hearn
Gardens in a few years.
Tea ceremony workshops conducted by Sachiko
Nakamura, Makiko Nakamura and Mamoru Naito as
instructors, attracted many participants. Though theparticipants looked a little tense with the first experience oftea ceremony, there was warm atmosphere throughout theceremony. The sweets featuring Sakura, Japanese symbol andshamrock, Irish symbol were very popular among
participants. We would like to thank the organizer who
arranged preparation.

Mami Yoneyama Organ Ricital

including Japan, Greece and the U.S. Paula Gordon and themembers of the Choir supported this concert.

date: Sunday 11th October, 11.15am–12pm
venue: The Holy Cross Church, Tramore
attendees: Approx 60 people
A recital dedicated to Hearn by Mami Yoneyama, anorganist active in Matsue was held with the cooperation of
the church and those who were involved. The Holly Cross
Church is a place where Sara Brennan, Hearn’s grand aunt
is buried, we feel some fate again here.
The music which depicted Hearn, Tramore and Japan
moved the audience, some of whom were even moved totears. It was the sound of friendship created through Hearn
which sounded the heart of people in various countries

The series of events in Tramore were a wonderful project,perfectly organized centering Agnes Aylward. The threedays were full of Irish hospitality of the whole town withchildren welcoming the delegation with Japanese nationalflags and pubs and restaurants putting Japanese flags on thewindows. With the opening of Lafcadio Hearn Gardens,
Tramore has been revitalized. The Garden is being utilized
as a place of tourism, study and relaxation of the citizens.
We would like to show our respect to the wonderful project
which is expected to expand further and expect further
exchange between the city and Matsue and Lefkada.

After the concert, the delegation was invited to a house,called Sweetbriar Lodge where Hearn stayed with Sarah
Brennan who spent the later period of her life and died.
Afra Cronin, the owner of the house, told us about the time
when Hearn was there and prepared lunch for the visitors.
We were pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome.

organizer: The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens
co-organizers: Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Sanin JapanIreland Association
sponsored & supported by The Tramore Development
Trust, Waterford City, Matsue City, Embassy of Irelandin Japan, Lafcadio Hearn Historical Centre, Furyudo,
Nakamura Chaho, The Koizumi Family, Takis Efstathiou

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

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Lectures “Hearn and Japan” &Japanese Tea Ceremony at Dublin City University

date: Thursday 8th October, 2–5pm
venue: Dublin City University, Nursing Building
organizer: Dublin City University
co-organizer: Sanin Japan-Ireland Association

Lectures “Hearn and Japan”
lecturers: Eisuke Kotani (Associate Proffesor, Universityof Toyama), Shiro Yuki (Associate Proffesor, Universityof Toyama), Akiko Manabe (Professor, Shiga University),
Rodger S. Williamson (Proffesor, The University of
Kitakyushu)
coordinator: Ryoko Sasamoto (Lecturer, Dublin City
University)
attendees: Approx. 100 people
Around one hundred people including the students ofJapanese classes, local high school students and the membersof the delegation attended a class featuring Lafcadio Hearnorganized by Ryoko Sasamoto, School of Applied Language
and Intercultural Studies, DCU at the time of the events of‘The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn’. The success of
this class implies strong interest in Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish
author who had been unknown there.

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With Ms. Sasamoto acting as MC, after the welcoming
remarks by DCU, Bon Koizumi, a great grandson of Lafcadio
Hearn and a professor of University of Shimane, delivered abrief introduction of Hearn. With a theme of ‘Hearn andJapan’, four speakers, Associate Prof. Eisuke Kotani and Shiro
Yuki, Prof. Akiko Manabe and Prof. Roger S. Williamson,spoke followed by questions and answers.
We heard from Ryoko Sasamoto later that they had agood time, not only acknowledging the existence of an Irish
author named Yakumo Koizumi but also being able to knowsome of his works. They would like to make use of theexperience in the future lessons.
Lectures“Lafcado Hearn and Akutagawa Ryunosuke” by Eisuke Kotani“The Impact of Lafcadio Hearn on Japanese Culture: A
Reading of ‘Yuki-Onna’” by Shiro Yuki
“W.B. Yeats, Ernest Fenollosa and Lafcadio Hearn: Litarary
Triptych connecting East and West” by Akiko Manabe“Longing and Belonging of Lafcadio Hearn” by Rodger S.
Williamson

Lectures “Hearn and Japan” & Japanese Tea Ceremony at Dublin City University

Japanese Tea Ceremony
instructors: Sachiko Nakamura, Makiko Nakamura,
Mamoru Naito
attendees: Approx. 50 people
In the workshop of Japanese tea ceremony, after brieftalk regarding tea ceremony and Japanese tea by Sachiko
Nakamura and Makiko Nakamura, the participants
actually made tea. It was a great opportunity of cultural

exchange between Japan and Ireland through tea ceremony,with sweets imaging sakura and shamrock provided by
Mamoru Naito.
About fifty participants including high school and college
students, looking a little nervous with the first experience ofJapanese tea ceremony, said it was a good experience. The
workshop was conducted smoothly with the cooperation ofvolunteers and Japanese embassy staff.

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

17Welcome Event in Cong

date: Tuseday 13th October, 12.30pm
venue: The Crossroads Community Centre, Cong, Mayoattendees: Approx 25 people from the Delegation and 70
local people
Hearn stayed in a village called Cong, Co. Mayo several
times accompanied by his grand aunt, Sarah Brenane in hischildhood. In the village, Catherine Elwood, sister of Hearn’s
father Charles used to live in a residence called Strandhill
house. Hearn recalled in his work KWAIDAN published in
his later life, that he met a harper when he was playing withhis cousin Robert, Catherine’s son, looking for a fairy ring.
Hearn is also almost unknown in Cong, but there was awelcoming event for the delegation organized by Jim
McGovern. After visiting the site where Strandhill used to be
and enjoy the beautiful scenery there, the delegation was

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Welcome Event in Cong

shown to Community Center and welcomed by a play titled‘History of Cong’ performed by the pupils of St. Joseph’s
National School. They also showed the panels which students
made based on their study on Japan. After that, there was an
unveiling ceremony of a photograph of Hearn in Kimono andthe delegation planted a tree in the garden commemorating
their visit after having conversation with the local people overhand made sweet and tea. The delegation was moved by thewarm welcome and sang a Japanese song ‘Furusato(Hometown)’ to express their appreciation.
In Cong, they are planning to make an exhibition sectionsfor Hearn, mainly in the Community Center. We believe theresidences in Cong will welcome Irish writer, Lafcadio Hearn
related to this city.

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

19Presentation at the Residence (Aras an Uachtarain)
to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

date: Wednesday 7th October, 2.30pm
venue: Residence of the President (Aras an Uachtarain),
Dublinattendees: 17 members of the Delegation (including aninterpreter)
Sixteen members out of the delegation, mainly those who
had some roles in the events in Ireland, including Mamoru
Naito, a leader, Bon Koizumi, a great grandson of Lafcadio
Hearn and an interpreter, had an honor to meet with H.E.
Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland. This visit wasarranged by Anne Barrington, Irish Ambassador to Japan.
The invitees are those who play the central role in Ireland
among the delegation.

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President Higgins is very popular among the people forhis personality. Especially the President who has a profoundknowledge of culture and knows about Lafcadio Hearn indetails, warmly welcomed our visit. Since President himself isa rock fan, he enjoyed conversations with Shiro Sano andKyoji Yamamoto, who are performers in the reading
performance.
After each visitor had a short conversation with the
President and donated Japanese sweet featuring Japanesenational flower sakura and Irish national flower shamrock,they took a group picture and had further conversation with
the President over Irish Afternoon tea.

Presentation at the Residence to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins / Reception hosted by the Japanese Ambassador

Reception hosted by the Japanese Ambassador
Chihiro Atsumi

date: Wednesday 7th October, 8pm
venue: Residence of Japanese Ambassador, Dublin
attendees: Approx. 100 invited people
After participating the opening of the event at The Little
Museum of Dublin, at 8pm, around 80 people including thedelegation from Japan and those who were involved in theevent were invited to the ambassador’s residence by
Ambassador Mr. Chihiro Atsumi.
In his remarks at the opening, Ambassador stated that hehad expected the events would be a good opportunity toknow about Lafcadio Hearn, leading deeper interest of Irish
people toward Hearn and Japanese culture and stronger

bond between Ireland and Japan. The attendees took a pledge
for the success of the series of the events each other.
Japanese Embassy has been providing a variety of support
including publicity as a co-organizer of The Open Mind of
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn — Coming Home. Especially, Yuichi
Yamada, Cultural Attaché had been actively involved fromthe beginning, delivering the brochures and participating all
the events. We would like to express our deep appreciation
toward the embassy.

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

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Lafcadio Hearn Tour in Dublin

date: Friday 9th October, 9.30am
guide: Paul Murrayattendees: Approx 30 people
The delegation participated in a town tour visiting houses
in which Hearn stayed in Dublin. Paul Murray, who is abiographer of Hearn, took the participants to some houses
and spoke about them with some episodes.
1. Lower Gardiner Street 48
2. Rathmines Lenster Square 21
3. Rathmines Prince Arther Terrace 3
4. Upper Leeson Street 73

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Lafcadio Hearn Tour in Dublin / Kyoji Yamamoto Live in Galway

The house on the Lower Gardiner Street is now B & B
called The Townhouse, and there is a small gallery displaying
photos on the first floor. When Hearn arrived in Dublin at
the age of two, he lived in this house. When we visited thehouse on Rathmines Lenster Square that Hearn moved tolater, the participants were very pleased that they were invited
into the house by the residents who happened to stay home.

Kyoji Yamamoto Live in Galway

date: Monday 12th October, 8pm
venue: The King’s Head Pub, Galway
supporter: The King’s Head Pub
Kyoji Yamamoto, an international guitarist, held a solo
live in a pub named The Kings Head Pub in Galway, the openmind’ city where music is popular. He has been leading
Japanese rock music as a leader of BOWWOW since 1975. In

1984, he established VOWWOW, which is still known inEurope through their four-year activity in London.
His first solo live concert in Ireland which was held
between the reading performances attracted people in Galway.
A session together with a local band contributed to deepen
relationship between Japan and Ireland through music.

Report of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

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Articles
Japan
Nikkei
Nishinippon Shimbun
The Tokyo Shimbun
The Shizuoka Shimbun
The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun
The San-in Chuo Shimpo
and others

Overseas
The Irish Times (National)
Manster Express (Waterford)
Advertiser (Galway)
and others

The serial in 10 installments by Noriko Kawashima in The
San-in Chuo Shimpo

special thanks:
Agnes Aylward
Páraic Breathnach
Vinny Browne
Mieko Conwey
Afra Cronin
Takis Efstathiou
Motoko Fujita
Rab Fulton
Paul and Mary Grealish
Tracy Geraghty
Paula Gordon
Anne Harper
Yoshimi Hayakawa
Yuko Kimura
Sonomi LeislieCharles Marshallorganizers:
The Little Museum of Dublin
Sanin Japan-Ireland Association
The Lafcadio Hearn Gardens
Dublin City University
and others
co-organizers:
Emabassy of Japan in Ireland
Matsue City
Waterford City
Galway 2020and others
sponsors & supporters
Emabassy of Ireland in Japan
Japan Foundation (An Exhibition “Coming Home—The
Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn” / Lafcadio Hearn
Reading Performance)and others

Embassy of Japan in Ireland

Jim McGovern
Minako Miyabe
John MoranPaul Murray
Oisin O'Conlain
Simon O’Connor
Patricia Philbin
Ryoko Sasamoto
Caroline Senior
Anders Trabjerg & Mayo
Yanachiy
Yuichi Yamada
Naoko Yamashita
Dublin City University
Glór na Mara Primary School
St. Josephs National School

松江市

Matsue City

山陰中央新報社
The San-in Chuo Shimpo
Newspaper Co., Ltd.

Takis Efstathiou

Nakamura Chaho

小泉家

The Koizumi Family

FuryudoReport of Activities “The Open Mind of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn—Coming Home”

25hearn2015.sanin-japan-ireland.org
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