A Californian who chose to share his Japanese art collection, awarded Japan’s medal

Cultural News, 2009 June Issue

A bouquet gift from Princess Akiko was presented to Mr. Willard “Bill” Clark (right) by Mrs. Ayako Nagamine, wife of San Francisco Consul-General Yasumasa Nagamine in the conferment ceremony of the Japanese government medal on Mr. Clark. (Cultural News Photo)

    Willard “Bill” Clark, 78, a fifth generation rancher turned businessman of frozen bull semen with worldwide distribution, and who has been collecting Japanese arts for four decades, established the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in 1995 at Hanford in California Central Valley.

     Mr. Clark’s efforts in introducing Japanese art to the American public and providing in-depth study opportunities to young art scholars in the world has been recognized by the Japanese government. On May 22, he was conferred with the Japanese government medal, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by San Francisco Consul-General Yasumasa Nagamine at his official residence in Pacific Heights, San Francisco on behalf of the Japanese Emperor

    Nearly one hundred people, including the supporters and staff of the Clark Center, and his extended family, came together to celebrate of his honor. In his speech, Mr. Clark recognized the efforts of his center’s staff, board members and supporters, mentioning all by name.  

     The Clark Center houses more than 1,500 pieces of Japanese art, the quality of which is regarded very highly by many experts. The museum presents three exhibitions a year and attracts over 5,000 visitors a year.

     Its curatorial internship program annually invites two young scholars from around the world to study Mr. Clark’s collection hands on for one year. Currently the twelfth intern from Tokyo, and the thirteenth intern from Germany, are staying at the center.

    As the Peter Drucker Fellow, which also was created by Mr. Clark, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, a member of Japan’s Imperial family, stayed at the center for three months in 2008. Princess Akiko then attended the University of Oxford and pursued her doctoral degree at the Oriental Institute. On May 22, a bouquet gift from Princess Akiko was presented to Mr. Clark by Mrs. Ayako Nagamine.