TEHRAN – Iranian artist Pariyoush Ganji has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (Kyokujitsu-sho) by the Japanese government.

Ganji received the badge and ribbon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Embassy of Japan in Tehran on Tuesday, the embassy announced on its website.

The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.

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.

The Japan Foundation conducts programs in the major areas of arts and cultural exchange, Japanese-language education overseas, Japanese studies and intellectual exchange, as well as strengthening cultural exchange in Asia.

In addition, Ganji, who has been teaching in Iranian art universities, has long promoted the Japanese art of sumie (Japanese black ink painting) and shoi (the traditional Japanese architecture) in her classes.

She has had a big share in introducing and promoting Japanese art in Iran and has also helped elevate the artistic exchanges between Iran and Japan and that is why she deserved to receive the order.

The embassy of Japan also hopes that Ms. Ganji continues her cooperation in expanding bilateral artistic relations.

World-renowned Iranian auteur Abbas Kiarostami also received the Order of the Rising Sun (Kyokujitsu-sho) in 2013.

The Order of the Rising Sun was established by Emperor Meiji of Japan in 1875. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the “rising sun” concept of Japan (“Land of the Rising Sun”).

Photo: Iranian artist Pariyoush Ganji in an undated photo (Honaronline/Bahareh Asadi)

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