Los Alamos Historical Museum Team Meets Monica Bethe In Kyoto

During a tea Thursday in Kyoto, Japan, from left, Monica Bethe with Los Alamos Historical Museum team members Judith Stauber, Stephanie Yeamans and Kallie Funk. Photo by Chef at the Tea House
 
 
Blog Entry By Kallie Funk, Judith Stauber, Stephanie Yeamans
Los Alamos Historical Museum
 
 
The Los Alamos Historical Museum team met Monica Bethe, daughter of Manhattan Project Scientist Hans Bethe, Thursday at the Noh Theatre in Kyoto.
 
Bethe gave us a personal, cultural tour of Kyoto. She first took us to the Raku Museum which displays low-fired ceramics originating in the 16th century made by the Raku family in Kyoto. While there, Bethe explained the different kinds of glazes and various functions of different ceramic pieces. Bethe then took us to enjoy a traditional Japanese tea, where a talented man made us elaborate cherry blossom shaped tea cakes.
 
We then visited the Nishijin Textile Center and happened upon an exciting kimono fashion show. Bethe led us through the textile center, telling us about different styles of weaving and types of looms. After leaving the Nishijin Textile Center, we went to Kyoto Imperial Palace and roamed the grounds, where cherry blossoms and happy families were in abundance.
 
There, we saw Monica’s college students, who were very excited to see her and showed how beloved she is as a professor. Bethe left to teach her class and, for our last night in Kyoto, our team visited the Inari Shrine, home to over 10,000 bright, orange Torii gates dating back to 711 A.D.
 
In the late evening, we met with Masaru Tanaka, an associate professor and photographer whose cooperative exhibition with Betsy Miller was featured in Fuller Lodge Art Center in 2013. We exchanged gifts with him and talked about potential future collaborations between Tanaka and the Los Alamos Historical Museum.
 
 
Meeting with Masaru Tanaka. Courtesy/Masaru Tanaka
 
 
Kimono fashion show at Nishijin Textile Center. Photo by Judith Stauber
 
In front of the Noh Theatre. Courtesy photo
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