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Japan Forward
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Emperor's Visit to Mongolia Reawakens History, Heals Old Wounds
このページを 日本語 で読む From July 6 to 13, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress paid a state visit to Mongolia. It was a journey rich in historical symbolism. The visit has sparked renewed interest in the title "Khaan (Khan)" among Mongolian communities not only in Mongolia itself, but also in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This resurgence has also reached Russia's Buryatia and Kalmykia republics and the global diaspora. Notably, the Mongolian honorific "Zevkholant Ezen Khaan," meaning "Sovereign Lord of Reiwa," has begun to circulate organically as a term of deep respect for His Majesty the Emperor. This linguistic revival carries profound weight. For Mongolians, the word "Khaan" evokes not only the grandeur of their historical past. It also carries the weight of modern traumas — centuries of subjugation, cultural erasure, and a persistent yearning for dignity and unity. Since its founding in 1206, the Mongol Empire, rooted in the legacy of Genghis Khan, maintained its authority through the guiding principle known as the "Chinggis Principle." In the vast expanse of Eurasia, the title of "Khaan" was far more than an honorific. It was a sacred designation reserved for those who inherited both the bloodline and the spirit of the great conqueror. For the Mongol and Turkic peoples, the name Khaan was inseparable from their sense of pride, sovereignty, and identity. Mongol mounted warrior. Mongolian Empire Gallery, National Museum of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. (Wikimedia Commons Public Domain) In the 20th century, the rise and spread of communism, beginning with the Russian Revolution, sought to dismantle this tradition. From the early 1920s, purges began in northern Mongolia and Central Asia. By 1949, they had spread to Southern Mongolia, where countless descendants of the Khaan lineage were physically eliminated under Soviet and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. Nowhere was this more stark than in the Mongolian People's Republic. There, Genghis Khan himself was recast as a "feudal aggressor" and stripped of his place as a revered national figure. In 1962, the Mongolian People's Republic government made a tentative effort to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Genghis Khan's birth with a modest ceremony. However, one of the politicians involved in the planning died under mysterious circumstances, and the subject was swiftly buried. For decades afterward, any public reverence for Genghis Khan remained taboo. The episode became emblematic of how communist regimes actively suppressed national history and severed ties to cultural identity. At the same time, China began appropriating the legacy of Genghis Khan to serve its own political narrative. From the 1960s onward, the CCP promoted propaganda recasting Inner Mongolia's past as an extension of Chinese history. Genghis Khan was reframed as a "hero of the Chinese people." In the author's hometown of Ordos, a lavish state-sponsored celebration took place that same year, with officials lauding Genghis Khan as "a Chinese who led a military expedition to Europe." For Mongolians, such developments amounted to nothing less than the theft of their national history. Even in recent years, this erasure has continued. In 2020, an exhibition on Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire was planned in Nantes, France. However, it was postponed after pressure from the Chinese government forced organizers to remove the name "Genghis Khan" entirely. Mongolia's break from socialism in 1992 marked a turning point. Only then was Genghis Khan reinstated as the symbolic 'founding father' of the Mongolian nation within a liberal democratic framework. His name now adorns banknotes, airports, and textbooks, reclaiming its rightful place in national consciousness. Today, even younger generations are calling for a revival of the Khaan tradition. They don't see it as a return to hereditary rule. Instead, they consider it a powerful emblem of spiritual unity, cultural pride, and national identity. One of the most moving moments of Their Majesties' visit was their prayer offering at the memorial dedicated to Japanese detainees. Following World War II, more than 10,000 Japanese civilians and soldiers were forcibly relocated to Mongolia by the Soviet Union. Many of them had been stationed in Manchuria or Southern Mongolia at the time. There, under brutal conditions and subzero temperatures, they were subjected to hard labor. Landmarks still standing in Ulaanbaatar today. These include parts of the opera house and the presidential residence, which were built through their toil. Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with bereaved family members after offering flowers at the memorial for Japanese war dead. July 8, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The suffering of these detainees echoes the hardships endured by the Mongolian people, caught in the vice grip of competing great powers. Before 1945, Southern Mongolia had developed a special relationship with Imperial Japan through structures such as Manchukuo and the Mongolian Autonomous Federation. Yet when Japan withdrew after the war, Mongolian hopes for national unification were quietly extinguished. They were sacrificed on the altar of geopolitical compromise, most notably through the Yalta Agreement. Although Mongolia emerged from World War II as a nominal victor, it was forced to swallow a bitter reality. Half of its ethnic population remained trapped within the borders of the newly formed People's Republic of China. Japan, too, suffered its own postwar blow, with the Soviet Union seizing its Northern Territories. In this shared historical experience, being marginalized by the geopolitical maneuvers of major powers, Mongolia and Japan find a quiet, unspoken kinship. Yet out of this tragic legacy, a bond of trust began to take root. Before the war, a number of Japanese intellectuals, military officers, and scholars working in Southern Mongolia engaged deeply with Mongolian language and culture, cultivating genuine respect and understanding. In the decades that followed, as Mongolia struggled through economic hardship, Japan extended a helping hand time and again. These acts of goodwill were grounded not merely in diplomacy but in the enduring thread of shared history. The true significance of Their Majesties' visit to Mongolia lies in the act of remembering, of jointly honoring the pain of the past, and reaffirming a bond built on sincerity, respect, and healing. This was not merely a gesture of goodwill, but a historic moment of shared reflection, a conscious step toward overcoming the weight of history together. Just as the Mongolian people continue to place their hopes in the enduring spirit of the Khaan , Japan must also look inward. It must honor the strength found in its own traditions and historical memory, and advance steadfastly as a truly independent nation. (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Haiying Yang このページを 日本語 で読む
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kolhapuri chappals blend heritage and tech as govt pushes for authenticity with QR certification
Kolhapur: The humble Kolhapuri chappal, one of India's most iconic traditional crafts, is enjoying renewed prominence not only in domestic fashion circles but also in international markets, amid Italian brand Prada being accused of appropriating the footwear. The GI-tagged handmade flat leather sandals, known for their intricate craftsmanship and cultural heritage , now carry an added layer of protection and authenticity in the form of QR codes, thanks to recent technological and legal innovations. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Product Management Technology Leadership Design Thinking CXO healthcare Operations Management Management Project Management Finance MBA MCA Cybersecurity Data Science Data Analytics Degree PGDM Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence Others Public Policy others Data Science Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The move aims to check counterfeiting and highlight the identity of the artisan behind each product, boost consumer trust and strengthen the market position of the traditional craftsmen, officials from the government-run Leather Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra (LIDCOM) said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mrgashat: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Recently, artisans cried foul after footwear similar to the Kolhapuri chappals featured in Italian luxury fashion brand Prada's new collection, alleging violation of the GI ( Geographical Indication ) rights. Following the row, Prada had acknowledged the sandals showcased in their men's 2026 fashion show were "inspired" by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear. The brand, however, clarified in a reply to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce that the showcased sandals are still at the design stage and not yet confirmed for commercial production. Live Events A team of experts from Prada visited Kolhapur earlier this month to interact with artisans and assess the local footwear manufacturing process. Dating back to the 12th century, the footwear has been primarily crafted in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, Sangli and Solapur districts. Its distinctive design, made using naturally tanned leather and handwoven straps, has been preserved through generations of artisans. A major boost came in the early 20th century when visionary ruler Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj promoted it as a symbol of self-reliance and Swadeshi pride. He encouraged the use of these chappals, helping elevate the rural craft into a respected cottage industry. What was once a humble, coarse village slipper, soon became a symbol of swadeshi identity under the royal patronage. To safeguard this cultural legacy and ensure fair recognition for artisans, the Maharashtra and Karnataka governments jointly secured the GI tag in 2019. Under international trade rules such as the TRIPS agreement, this GI status legally reserves the rights to manufacture and market Kolhapuri chappals to artisans from specific districts in both the states. The certification defines the product as handmade, using traditional techniques and natural leather, with open-toe construction, prohibiting the use of synthetic materials or mechanised processes. Going a step further, the LIDCOM has introduced QR-coded certification for each pair of chappals, the corporation said in a statement. This digital initiative aims to tackle counterfeiting and highlight the identity of the artisan or self-help group behind each product, it said. Buyers scanning the code can access details like name and location of the artisan or production unit, district of manufacture in Maharashtra, craft techniques and raw materials used, validity and status of the GI certification. "This initiative not only boosts consumer trust but also strengthens the market position of traditional craftsmen," the LIDCOM said. The corporation is now calling upon consumers, designers and the common public to stand in solidarity with India's indigenous craft traditions. "Kolhapuri chappals are not just fashion accessories. They are a powerful expression of traditional skill, identity and the dignity of small artisan communities," the statement quoted LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar as saying. Founded in 1974, LIDCOM has been a pivotal institution in empowering rural leather artisans. Through training programmes, market development, design innovation and economic support, the organisation has transformed traditional footwear-making into a symbol of Maharashtra's cultural pride and grassroots economy. Kolhapuri chappals have now regained global spotlight, blending heritage with modern relevance. More than just the traditional footwear, they are a symbol of skilled artisanry and indigenous pride. Since 1974, LIDCOM, also known as the Sant Rohidas Charmodyog and Charmakar Vikas Mahamandal, has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting this heritage craft, as per the statement. The corporation has empowered thousands of rural artisans by offering skill development training, encouraging innovation, expanding markets and ensuring sustainable livelihoods, it said. On the organisation's vision, Deshbhratar, said, "Kolhapuri chappals are not merely utilitarian items. They embody stories of self-reliance, national pride and a living cultural tradition. Through our efforts, we aim to strengthen the hands that preserve this legacy and inspire generations to come." Apart from economic uplift, the corporation is also committed to cultural conservation. It continues to implement a wide range of initiatives -- from developing training centres and empowering self-help groups to building linkages between buyers and suppliers across domestic and international markets -- to ensure the traditional craft survives and thrives in a changing economic landscape, the statement said.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Limerick artist brings summer-themed work to Wicklow arts venue
Gillian was born in Limerick and studied painting at the Limerick School of Art and Design and then completed her MFA at the University of Ulster, Belfast. She was awarded the Countess Markievicz medal for painting by the United Arts Club Dublin during her student days. She is participating in this year 195th RHA annual. and has exhibited her work regularly at venues such as EVA, the Hunt Limerick, and Limerick Printmakers, and the Lab Foley Street Dublin. Gillian completed a large-scale solo exhibition at Limerick City Gallery and has also exhibited her paintings at the Spectrum Gallery London, The Phatory New York, and the Engine Gallery Toronto. She has been involved in many social practice and community projects over the years, including the Artist in Prison Scheme and Ballymun Regeneration. Vivid autobiographical memories and influences from film and early Kodachrome photography strongly inform the artist's work, which excavates strong photographic references through the use of painterly language. Her recent body of paintings explores nostalgic memories which are bittersweet and stem from the era of the pandemic, where 'the notion of leisure time and of being on holidays is elevated into a cloud of affectionate nostalgia through which the idealised memories of the past are viewed'. Kenny Shinnors generates her work through appropriating imagery from old photographs, and self- generated imagery which includes familiar scenes and landmarks. Her unique perspective includes strong pictorial compositions, juxtapositions of people and architecture and her distinctive strongly saturated palette, capturing light and shade. Like many Limerick people, Gillian was fortunate to spend every summer of her childhood in Kilkee, County Clare and she told 'Limerick Live' about her inspiration. 'These vivid autobiographical memories strongly inform my work,' she said, on the memories behind them. 'The notion of being on holidays is now elevated into a cloud of affectionate nostalgia through which the idealised environment of the seaside of the past is viewed. This is the sentiment I aim to explore in these paintings, by appropriating imagery from old photographs, and creating landscapes which include familiar scenes and landmarks.' The opening reception for Reminiscence takes place on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 7pm to 9pm. The exhibition closes on Sunday, July 20.
Buzz Feed
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
JFK's Grandson Is Going Viral For His Reaction To Trump Releasing His Grandfather's Assassination Files
After yapping about it for months, Donald Trump has released over 60,000 previously classified JFK assassination files. Experts say it will take time to analyze all of the documents, but so far there have been no major revelations. For those who don't know, Jack Schlossberg is JFK's grandson and has quite a robust social media presence. Jack took issue with Trump releasing his grandfather's files, and his thread about it is going viral. Here it is: "President Trump is obsessed with my grandfather — but not in his life or what he achieved in it. No, just like @robertfkennedyjr @realdonaldtrump is only interested in JFK's carcass." "These men are stealing history from present and future generations — by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory." JBKSchlossberg/ "I'm one person with a social media account. All I can do, any citizen, is speak my mind. The rest will come later (winning), after we build strength. For now, if you see something — say something." JBKSchlossberg/ "JFK drafted the civil rights act — Trump made DEI illegal. JFK stared down Russia and did not blink — Trump is Russia's closest ally. JFK sent a man to the moon — Trump gave Elon the keys to Air Force One. JFK created USAID — Trump eliminated it." JBKSchlossberg/ And lastly: "JFK celebrated the arts and culture. Trump attacks artist's identities, took over the Kennedy center just to empty it out and pave it gold." JBKSchlossberg/ Like, at all.
