Exhibit | April 9, 2012

Exhibition of Japanese Bindings, Art at Lloyd Library

Lloyd Library and Museum (LLM) is pleased to announce: "View: Ways of Seeing"
May 5-August 3, 2012

Opening reception-Saturday, May 5, 2012, 4-7 p.m.

Remarks on John Uri Lloyd, Japan, and Cincinnati begin at 4:30 p.m.

Catered Reception follows

           The Lloyd Library and Museum (LLM) celebrates the 100th anniversary of Japan's gift of cherry trees to our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. with an exquisite art exhibit, curated by Diane Fishbein, of contemporary artists Alysia Fischer, Setsuko H. LeCroix, and Charles Woodman who explore nature through sculpture, painting, and video; as well as an LLM exhibit curated in-house, of books, artifacts, memorabilia, and archival items from the library's collections featuring both western and traditional Japanese bindings, explorations of early
encounters between the West and Japan, cherry trees, and other beautifully illustrated scientific works of Japan, and Japanese nature landscape and art.  Highlights include the complete published (1856) report of Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition to Japan in the mid-19th century, an illustrated Japanese materia medica originally written by a samurai in the 18th century, and many Japanese hand-colored illustrated books on cherries and other flowering plants.  Image shown here is from The Flowers and Gardens of Japan, painted by Ella Du Cane and described by her sister Florence Du Cane, published in 1908 by A. and C. Black of London.

           Japan and cherry trees have several strong local connections. There is the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati; and, nearly 25 years ago, through Cincinnati USA's Sister City Association, Gifu, Japan became our Sister City on May 11, 1988.  LLM has a significant connection to Japan and cherry trees as well. The library's founder, John Uri Lloyd (JUL), visited Japan in 1935, where the Japanese people warmly greeted and honored him with several gifts of appreciation, which now reside in LLM.  Many of the books on display were gifts to JUL, as was the bust of JUL by sculptor Ryuko Kawamura of Tokyo as a memory of his visit to Japan.

           Even before JUL travelled to Japan, he and his brothers had earlier connections to several Japanese scientists.  For instance, the visitor's book for 1920, on display, was signed by a Japanese botanist who was a friend and colleague of the youngest brother, Curtis Gates Lloyd.  In addition, a Japanese pharmacist and botanist, Shiro Tashiro, presented JUL with a handwritten manuscript by Tashiro, circa 1930.  The book, titled Defense of Fancy, contained personal remembrances of Tashiro's life in the Japanese village of Kamitogo with attention given to medicine and the materia medica of Tashiro's school headmaster; as well as folk tales, religious observations, and expressions of the Japanese village culture.

           In a scrapbook kept in the Library's archives, there are newspaper clippings and other information concerning JUL and his trip to Japan and the Japanese response to his death.  From these, we learn that after his death in 1936, memorial services were conducted in Tokyo, which were attended by even the Japanese Emperor's personal physician. Other scrapbook items report that Japan sent cherry trees to Cincinnati as a memorial of JUL.  By 1941, about 3,500 trees had been delivered and planted in Eden Park.

           We invite you to enjoy the "View" of rich Japanese culture, art, and science; its connections to Cincinnati; and, the treasure trove of Japanese materials and information held in LLM.

           The Lloyd Library and Museum, located at 917 Plum Street, downtown Cincinnati, is a local and regional cultural treasure.  The library was developed in the nineteenth century by the Lloyd brothers-John Uri, Curtis Gates, and Nelson Ashley to provide reference sources for Lloyd Brothers Pharmacists, Inc., one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of the period.  Today the library is recognized worldwide by the scientific community as a vital research center. The library holds, acquires, and provides access to both historic and current materials on the subjects of pharmacy, botany, horticulture, herbal and alternative medicine, pharmacognosy, and related topics. Although our collections have a scientific focus, they also have relevance to humanities topics, such as visual arts and foreign languages through resources that feature botanical and natural history illustrations, original artworks, and travel literature, thereby revealing the convergence of science and art. The Lloyd is open to anyone with an interest in these topics.  Free parking is available for patrons and visitors behind the library building.  For more information, visit the Lloyd website at www.lloydlibrary.org.

Lloyd Library and Museum
917 Plum Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-721-3707
www.lloydlibrary.org

Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open the third Saturday of the month, September through May, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.