HANFORD — "The Hidden Code of Animals in Japanese Art" will open Tuesday, Sept. 2, and run through Nov. 15 at the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, 15770 10th Ave. in Hanford.

The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and is closed on national holidays.

The carp, a widespread freshwater fish originally from Eurasia, is becoming more and more popular with anglers in the U.S. and has long been a traditional part of Christmas Eve dinner throughout Europe. In Japan, on the other hand, every year on May 5 when Boys' Day is celebrated, carp streamers (koi nobori) are hung out to pray for strength and success of the
sons.

As koi (the Japanese word for carp) also means "love," the carp is one of the emblems of good luck and two carps represent marital happiness. The carp is also known for its perseverance in overcoming obstacles, and is therefore frequently depicted fighting its way up a waterfall.

In East Asia, a specific animal is assigned to each one of the 12 years of the lunisolar cycle of the zodiac. Still today, these zodiac animals are used for astrological purposes, all having different personalities and characteristics that are passed on to those born in that year.

The rooster, for example, stands for vigilance and martial spirit, based on the old tradition of cock-fighting and is also associated with fire and sun. People born in this year are therefore believed to be very courageous, brave and wise.

Japanese fauna is rich with animals like the carp and the rooster that carry symbolic significance. From turtles over peacocks to tigers and even fireflies, the fall exhibition at the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture introduces 17 different animals and their meanings, which are generally not transparent to Westerners as they derive from a
distinctive but unfamiliar cultural context.

This exhibition presents the animals in four groups, starting with examples from the zodiac animals. Aquatic animals like the carp and flying animals are the next two groups that are discussed. Both these groups consist of animals that are domestic to Japan.

The exhibition concludes with illustrations of "exotic" foreign animals like giraffes that found their way into Japanese art.

A catalog accompanies this exhibition.

For more information, call (559) 582-4915 or visit www.ccjac.org.