Visit to Japan 2008

		The Tasha Tudor exhibition by the Toei Company opened on March 19th, 2008. Marjorie and Natalie accepted an invitation to open the exhibit with a bit of Tudor hospitality; exchanging a still frozen Vermont for a breezy Tokyo, Japan, where the cherry trees were just beginning to blossom. Opening day brought 6,500 visitors; twice the expected amount. Many Japanese guests recognized Marjorie from national television and were teary-eyed to shake her hand.

		One entered this world through a flower filled portal that housed a bank of forget-me-nots, tulips, daffodils, etc....all that one would expect to find in Tasha Tudor's spring garden. A network of rooms followed beginning with one in which Marjorie Tudor's marionette of Tasha Tudor (made in 2006 for the Louisa May Alcott Museum's exhibit of Tasha Tudor works) held out hands which beckoned visitors inward.

		Artifacts of daily living were displayed with enlarged photographs of Tasha Tudor engaged in various projects and activities. The final room was a recreation of Tasha's familiar front porch, truly depicted in all its flowering glory. During the several days Marjorie and Natalie spent at the exhibit, the lines of people waiting for tickets continued till closing.

		Marjorie reports that "My strongest impression of the Tasha Tudor Exhibit opening at Matsuya in Ginza, Tokyo was of the gentle and quiet enthusiasm, the esteem, appreciation, and affection held unabashedly in so many hearts for Tasha as well as gratitude that her family honors her legacy by promoting her traditions and values. "

		Marjorie goes on to say "I saw many smiling, happy faces; lovely, charming children; young couples; women of all ages and even fine looking, mature men enchanted by the Tasha Tudor world recreated so well by Toei. Without exception, each and every person was courteous and polite."

		Countless book signings, pictures, greetings and handshakes later, Marjorie and Natalie were whisked away to a relaxing stay near the city of Hakone, a famous resort town at the foot of Mt. Fuji. They enjoyed the traditional inn, the unique flora and the hot springs. It was easy for them to understand why Mt. Fuji has inspired poets and artists for hundreds of years.

		Towards the end of their stay, Marjorie and Natalie were fortunate to experience Bunraku, traditional Japanese puppetry, which dates from 1684. The puppets range in size from two and a half to four feet tall or more, and most characters require three puppeteers to operate. They do so dressed in black and in full view of the audience. Musicians sit on a platform aside the stage with a chanter or chanters, who recite the parts and alter pitches in order to switch between various characters. The gestures and nuances of the puppets are exceptionally lifelike and expressive. This is a very brief explanation of the art, which is making a comeback in Japan. Marjorie and Natalie were very fortunate to attend. Their kindly hostess, Masako reserved the last of nine available tickets. There was not one empty seat in the theatre, and the opportunity to visit backstage was a rare and extraordinary opportunity, mainly allowed because Marjorie and Natalie were guests from the United States and are in the process of organizing a marionette theatre in Vermont.

		After a week of meeting Tasha Tudor's Japanese fans, incredible food, Japanese culture and even a night of karaoke, Marjorie and Natalie were saddened to head home. But their Japanese friends assured them that they love visiting Vermont and that they are fortunate to live there. Marjorie and Natalie heartily agreed, but made many promises to visit again.