Pariyoush Ganji receives Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun

Iranian artist Pariyoush Ganji has received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, one of Japan’s highest official awards, for her contribution to the promotion of Japanese art in Iran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The medal was presented Thursday during a ceremony held at the Embassy of Japan in Tehran, the Persian service of Honaronline reported on Friday.

The Embassy of Japan previously announced that Ganji had received the badge and ribbon of the Order of the Rising Sun in Tehran on November 3, 2015.

In presenting the medal, the Japanese Ambassador Hiroyasu Kobayashi, praised the efforts made by Ganji to promote Japanese art and her contribution to the expansion of cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador added that he has been greatly surprised by Ganji’s artworks, which are deeply imbued with the Japanese art of sumie (Japanese black ink painting) and shoi (traditional Japanese architecture.)

The 70-year old artist was commissioned by the Japan Foundation to conduct research in the city of Kyoto on Sassanid-era designs, which had been transferred via the Silk Road and appeared on the kimono, the traditional Japanese female costume, and the belt obi.

She has had a big share in introducing and promoting Japanese art in Iran and has also helped elevate artistic exchanges between Iran and Japan.

The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 by the emperor of Japan and continues to be awarded in the name of the emperor.