Permanent exhibit in Japanese village
The Japanese village in Ayutthaya has opened its new multimedia facility to display a permanent exhibition on two Japanese noble people, Yamada Nagamasa and Marie Guyomar de Pinha (of Japanese, Portuguese and Bengali descent), who played important roles in the royal court during the Ayutthaya period.
According to Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and president of the Thai-Japanese Association, the project was initiated by the Thai-Japanese Association to commemorate the 60th birthday of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on April 2 this year.
The Princess presided over the opening ceremony of the newly-built multimedia facility in the Japanese village at the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre last week.
Nagamasa was the leader of the Japanese settlers during the reign of King Songtham in the 17th century. He was promoted to senior nobility and was in charge of sending the first group of Thai diplomats to Japan. He also played a major role in fostering commercial relationships between Siam and Japan, and was highly praised for his loyalty to the monarch. King Songtham bestowed Nagamasa with the title of “Okya Senaphimuk”. Okya is a male title and is the equivalent to today’s minister.
“Thao Thong Kip Ma” was the titled bestowed to Marie Guyomar de Pinha, who was married to Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon, who settled in Ayutthaya and later was appointed foreign affairs minister, or “Okya Vichayen”, during the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688 AD) of the Ayutthaya period.
During her later years, Thao Thong Kip Ma served as a master chef in the royal court and was responsible for Western desserts. She was widely credited with the egg yolk-based sweets such as thong yib, foi thong and thong yot.
“Thao” is a female title and is the equivalent to dame.
The exhibition on Yamada Nagamasa Okya Senaphimuk and Thao Thong Kip Ma, and the multimedia presentation, will highlight the fact that Thailand and Japan have long maintained a cordial relationship that goes back as far as 600 years, added Kalin.
The Japanese village opens Tue-Sat, 9am-4.30pm.