Trade Flows & Cultural News

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Trade Flows & Cultural News

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• Arts

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• Publié par: iwudawap
• Nombre de lectures: 117
• Langue: Français
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

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Toegelaten gesloten verpakking: GENT X 03/50 België - Belgique
P.B.
Gent x
3/1294
Number 66 - March 2005 Trade Flows & Cultural News
Japan & Belgium: Four Centuries of Exchange
by W. F. Vande Walle, Editor-in-chief of Japan & Belgium: Four Centuries of Exchange
Within the framework of the Belgian participation however. We fi nd proof of this close connection in
to the Aichi World Exposition 2005 this year, the maps, works of art, scientifi c and literary writings,
Commissioner-General of the Belgian Pavilion at as well as in the course of history itself. The 5th
the Exposition has taken the initiative to publish a circumnavigation of the Globe in the Great Age of
book which highlights four centuries of contact and European Discovery, after Magellan, Drake, Cavendish
exchange between Japan and Belgium. There is no and Van Noort, in which the ‘De Liefde’ was a part, may
doubt that this event offered the perfect occasion have fl own the Dutch fl ag, but it is true nonetheless
for the compilation of this book, which will be richly that it was commissioned by immigrants from the
illustrated to underscore its contents. Southern part of the Low Countries: the banker Johan
van der Veken, the merchant Pieter van der Haegen
W. F. Vande Walle,The fi rst European countries to establish contacts and the commander of the fl eet Captain Simon de Editor-in-chief of Japan &
Belgium: Four Centuries of with Japan were Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, Cordes were ‘Belgians’. They were the forerunners
Exchange
in that order. Since the history of the Southern of the VOC, which ran the fi rst Dutch trading posts
Netherlands, roughly the area which later constituted in Japan. In the founding of the VOC, the world's fi rst
Belgium, is so intricately interwoven with that of these multinational company, shareholders emigrated from
three countries, it is not surprising to fi nd that from an Antwerp played a pivotal role.
early date Belgians were directly or indirectly involved
in these exchanges. After Belgium became a formally In the Edo Period, thanks to the cultural, artistic
independent kingdom in 1830, it vigorously pursued and scientifi c relations with the Dutch, the Japanese
its own interests, but even then its relationship laid the initial foundations for the process of In this issue
with Japan always remained fi rmly embedded in the modernization which in the 19th century would
1 Editorial: W. F. Vande Wallebroader international context of relations between catapult the country onto the world stage. Japanese
2 Personalia and sponsorsJapan and the major powers of the 19th century. The scholars of Dutch Studies (Rangaku) embarked upon
history of the relations between Japan and the major the translation and study of scientifi c works from the 3 VIP Visit to Maasmechelen
Villagecountries has been well documented by nationals Renaissance and early modern times, including quite
4 - 6 YES IV in Japanof these countries, who have not failed to highlight a few with strong Belgian connections. The Japanese
their major contributions to the history in question. In discovered images of the whole earth, of the relative 7 Taste of Flanders:
th30 Anniversary of Flanders 2000 the Netherlands commemorated 400 years of extent of their land, and of the inside human body.
Center in Osaka
relationship with Japan, which started when the ship This knowledge was among others extracted from
8 - 9 EU-Japan Relations
‘De Liefde’ landed off the works of Mercator, Ortelius and Plancius, often
1 0 - 1 1 Facts & Figures on JapanBungo (Kyushu) in April indirectly transmitted to them through the agency of
1 2 - 1 3 Focus on Belgium1600. The pilot of that Jesuits active in China. Through Dodonaeus’ herbal
1 4 - 1 8 The Business Committee:ship was the Englishman Cruydt-Boeck the Japanese were not only confronted
Committee Presentation & William Adams, who was a with an alternative to the Chinese materia medica, Member CV
model for James Clavell’s but also learned about the scientifi c classifi cation of
1 9 Trade Mission
best-seller Shogun. Many nature. This book helped in orienting them to a more
2 0 News from the Members
of the episodes that scientifi c approach to the study of nature, giving rise
2 1 BJA Directorymake up the history of to the Japanese equivalent of natural history, which
2 2 - 2 4 Advertisements:the relations between the in its turn laid the foundations of modern science.
Olympus, Ycomm, Nikon
Netherlands and Japan
Editorial continues on page 2have a Belgian chapter
Resp. editor: A. Kellens - 287, avenue Louise bte 7 - 1050 Brussels - T [phone] F [phone] E [e-mail]
BJA quarterly newsletter / driemaandelijks tijdschrift (maart - juni - september - december) - Afgiftekantoor: Gent x www.bja.beTrade Flows & Cultural News | N°66 March 20052
Japan & Belgium: SponsorsPersonalia and Four Centuries of Exchange The BJA would like to
express its appreciation (Editorial continued from page 1) sponsors
to the current sponsors.
In 1830 Belgium became a formally independent New Members
kingdom, while on the other side of the globe, in The BJA would like to extend a warm
1868 Japan opened its doors to the outside world. welcome to its newest members:
This set the stage for renewed and more intensified
contacts between the two countries. After the Meiji Corporate Members:
Restoration, the Iwakura mission on its tour of the HOTEL METROPOLE
Western world visited Belgium and was impressed (Hospitality Industry)
by the political economy and level of development of 31 Place de Brouckèreplein, 1000 Brussels
the country. It heard King Leopold II recommending Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Japan that it accelerate the pace of its modernization. Email: [e-mail]
Japan did follow the Belgian model in setting up a Web site: www.metropole.be
model banking system centred on a central bank. BJA Contact: Mr Patrick Wielemans, Chairman
Japan endowed itself with state-of-the-art iron
and steel and glass and textile industries while SARAYA – EUROPE
developing its railways with Belgian equipment and (Cleaning and Health products)
know-how. Belgian professors and advisers trained Sint-Annadreef 686, 1020 Brussels
some of the cream of the Japanese financial, trade Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
and business circles. Hitotsubashi University was Email: [e-mail]
set up in Tokyo in 1885, modelling itself on Antwerp’s Web site: www.saraya.com
Institut Supérieur de Commerce. BJA Contact: Mr Andreas ter Woort, General
Manager Europe
Japan’s contribution, in return, to the economic,
cultural and artistic development of Belgium has Associate Members:
been quite remarkable. In the nineteenth century BOYDEN
Japan's arts seduced and influenced the greatest (Human Resources, Consulting Services)
Belgian artists. Through them, Japanese art had a Avenue F. Roosevelt 81, 1050 Brussels
decisive influence on the Art Nouveau movement. Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
In the second half of the twentieth century major Web site: www.boyden.be
Japanese companies have set up their European BJA Contact: Mr Arie Vos, Senior Consultant
headquarters in Belgium, and are contributing to
the economic activity and living standard of the SOGEMAN
Belgian citizens. Asahi Glass, the world’s leading (Investment and Management Consulting)
glassmaker, established in 1907 with technical Avenue du Val au Bois 35, 1950 Kraainem
support of Belgians, then the world leaders in Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
flat glass technology, made Glaverbel its 99% Email: [e-mail]
subsidiary and its Brussels HQ the worldwide base BJA Contact: Mr Nicolas Sepulchre,
of its flat glass and R&D activities. More than 5,000 Managing Director
Japanese nationals live and work in Belgium, the 4th
Japanese community in Europe after London, Paris R&G Coaching
and Düsseldorf, contributing every day to bridge (Consultancy)
the geographical gap between the two countries. Itterbeeksebaan 264, 1701 Itterbeek
Tel: [phone]
About thirty authors have contributed to this book, Email: [e-mail]
which is arguably the most complete presentation BJA Contact: Mr Reginald Schaumans,
of the subject to date, and includes quite a few Managing Director
topics hitherto scarcely studied. It presents
a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted Individual Members:
Couple: Mr & Mrs René P. Bersma,exchanges between the two countries. Although
Mr & Mrs Serge Hendrickx it is not a narrative of undisturbed happiness or
Regular: Mrs Mikiko Murata,
thorough familiarity, the contributions do bear out Mr Henri Van den Bussche.
that on balance the relationship between Japan and Mrs Isabel Van Waes,
Belgium has been mutually beneficial and inspiring Mrs Valérie Maus de Rolley
Student: Mr Pierre Guillaudfor both sides.Trade Flows & Cultural News | N°66 March 2005 3
VIP Visit to Maasmechelen Village
5 December, 2004 - Maasmechelen
On Sunday, 5 December, the Cultural Committee of
BJA organized a day visit to Maasmechelen Village,
the most prestigious outlet-shopping town located in
Limburg. Despite the bitter cold weather in the morning,
the participants were delighted to see the number