Letter Exhibition Hastings 2005

EMBASSY OF JAPAN

WELLINGTON, N.Z.

16 September 2005

A message from H.E. Mr Masaki Saito, Ambassador of Japan to New Zealand for the opening of the Retrospective Exhibition – Kamaka: the Ceramics of Bruce and Estelle Martin, Holt Gallery, Hawke’s Bay Exhibition Centre, 16 September 2005

It was with sincere regret that, due to prior commitments, I found myself unable to accept Mr Shaw’s invitation to come here today to open this fine exhibition. I hope these few words will to some extent give due honour to this occasion.

Firstly, I wish to express my warmest congratulations to Mr Bruce Martin, his late wife Estelle, the Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust and all those who have supported them throughout the preparation for this Retrospective Exhibition.

I would also like to express my admiration of the passion Mr and Mrs Martin have shown in the filed of ceramics, especially Japanese ceramics and acknowledge their many years of dedication as artists. Sadly Mrs Martin is no longer with us, but their work has won them wide spread acclaim and I appreciate the Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust’s foresight in mounting this magnificent exhibition of Kamaka pottery. You all once again have the opportunity to experience the passion of the Martins by viewing their work here at the Hawke’s Bay Exhibition Centre.

As you may be aware, Japan and New Zealand have been developing a good relationship in a broad range of areas including politics, economics and culture. Especially in the area of culture, personal exchanges at the grassroots level are very active between the two countries and I believe that such relationships play an important role for mutual understanding and trust between our two countries.

Bruce and Estelle Martin have undertaken a role of introducing, transmitting and developing Japanese culture within New Zealand society and I sincerely appreciate their tremendous efforts.

I hope many of you will have opportunities to visit Japan in the near future and learn more not only about Japanese pottery but also about culture, customs and history of Japan. I believe that the more people visit Japan from New Zealand, the stronger the friendly relationship between Japan and New Zealand will become.

I am sure that this exhibition will be a great success. My good wishes go to Mr Bruce and all those who have been associated with Kamaka: the Ceramics of Bruce and Estelle Martin.

Masaki Saito

Ambassador of Japan