双语新闻 Bilingual News | 双语对照阅读 分级系列阅读 智能辅助阅读 在线英语学习 |
[英文] [中文] [双语对照] [双语交替] [] |
A group of Japanese artists are hoping to help people embrace both the Olympic spirit and Japanese culture by reimagining flags of competing countries as samurai characters. |
Nations large and small are represented in the World Flags project, including India, South Africa, Great Britain, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and Turkey. |
"Samurais are unique to Japan and we want everyone to get to know traditional Japanese culture," creator Kamaya Yamamoto said. |
He starts by researching the meaning and history of a country's flag as well as the colours and design, and then researches their culture. |
For example, because the Mexican flag features an eagle perched on a cactus, eating a snake, Mr Yamamoto blended these elements together to create a samurai with a snake insignia and an eagle companion. |
Each character also comes with a short write-up on their personality, strengths and weaknesses - a bit like a character in a video game. |
"We hope this can be a way for people to learn about other countries," says Kozo Yamada, another artist on the project. "That's what the Olympics are about." |
Samurai soldiers have played a huge part in Japanese history since at least the 12th Century. Although samurais themselves no longer exist, "bushido" - the way of the warrior, based on honour and discipline - is a value system considered important in Japanese culture even today. |
Even though the online initiative seems like a fitting promotional campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, the 15 people behind the project don't make any money from it and do it in their free time. |
They have so far made samurais out of the flags of 84 of the 200 competing countries. |
Some embassies in Japan - like Honduras and Venezuela - have separately contacted the artists because they want to display pictures of the samurais. |
The hope is that the images will help people get excited about the Olympics, especially since no-one will be able to actually watch any of the Games in person. |
Japan is in a state of emergency because of Covid and all spectators are banned. |
"People will only be able to enjoy the Olympics online," says Mr Yamada. "So hopefully our designs will provide a bit of entertainment and relief for all those tired of Covid-19." |
OK阅读网 版权所有(C)2017 | 联系我们