Japan
Lithuanian community in Japan is small and young (formally established in 2005). Therefore it used to be very surprising to see a Lithuanian-named institution right next to Akihabara (world capital of electronics). This was the Zemaitis museum (address: 11-5 Kajicho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, under a railway line), which unfortunately closed in 2012. "Žemaitis" means a "Samogitian" in the Lithuanian language (a person from Samogitia, one of the country's traditional regions). However, the museum is dedicated not to Samogitia but to Antanas Kazimieras Žemaitis (a.k.a. Tony Casimere Zemaitis 1935-2002), a very famous Lithuanian luthier. His pearl-incrusted expensive instruments have been played by such celebrities as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Paul McCarthney, Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, James Hatfield and Ronny Wood. Tony Zemaitis was born to a Lithuanian emigrant family in London but now the base of "Zemaitis Guitars" company he established has been curiously moved to Japan where most of his guitars are also sold (thus the museum in Tokyo).
Interestingly there is another Lithuania-related museum in northern Hokkaido dedicated to a Lithuanian who never live in Japan. That is Miri Hiroko Stasys Museum with some works by a Lithuanian painter Stasys Eidrigevičius and a local painter Mori Hiroko. It has been established on an initiative of director Hasegawa who met Eidrigevičius in his study in Poland back in 1978 and became mesmerized by his works. Address Yubinbango 047-0034, Otaru city.
In Inami town (Toyama prefecture), a sculpture for Lithuanian Pagan fire goddess Gabija has been constructed in 1999 by sculptor Algimantas Sakalauskas. It has a Lithuanian inscription "Gabija, Fire goddess". It is located in a park next to the Inami Sculpture General Hall.
Another point of interest is "Little Lithuania" clothing store in Hiroshima. Marked by a tricolor it uniquely has nothing to do with local Lithuanians as it had been opened by a Japanese family fond of Lithuanian linen and culture.
Japan is among the ethnically purest countries and lacks immigrants. However, its entirely different yet modern civilization lured some Westerners (including Lithuanians) in, coupled with business opportunities. Business relations caused Lithuania to establish its embassy in Tokyo (3-7-18 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku) but the diplomatic mission now hosts the events of Lithuanian community.
February 15th, 2016 - 15:03
Such a pathetic article, photo used from google… we don’t even have decency anymore these days to lift a finger and go snap couple of usable photos..
February 15th, 2016 - 17:41
As the Global True Lithuania website covers Lithuanian heritage all over the world (and it is not funded by government), it is impossible to take pictures in 27 nations, 24 US states and 100+ cities currently described. In the places I recently visited I took pictures, in some others local Lithuanians helped by sending their images (which you may do too, if you are in Japan). In the remaining cases Google Street View is better than nothing. Often before we add a Google Street View image, there are no online images (in jpg or similar formats) of particular Lithuanian heritage locations at all, as Global True Lithuania is the only website that thoroughly documents such heritage.
October 20th, 2020 - 17:38
Hi
Whilst it has nothing to do wit the above, I thought I could draw your interest in some of Tony Zemaitis memorabilia.
In 1975 I purchased one of Tony’s Jaguar E-types, ie 1970 4.2 FHC in Regency Red.
I spoke to Tony on a few ocassions where he described how genuine and how much he had treasured the vehicle.
With the purchase, I was given a handwritten report on his headed paper for all the work he had carried out on the vehicle.
I ket the car for about 13 years.
I still have the original hand written reports (2 pages) and wanted to know if you were interested in purchasing same from me.