Lecture

A Critical Introduction to Religion in Japan

This course is an introduction to critical approaches to religion in
contemporary Japan. The course covers basic information about
religious affiliation, scholarly approaches to the study of
religion, and a critique of common discourse about “Japanese
religions”. To achieve these objectives, the course is structured
around the critical examination of three often-heard stereotypical
statements about religion in Japan: 1) “The Japanese are
non-religious”, 2) “Japanese religions have a set of common
characteristics”, 3) “The Japanese are very religious; they just
don’t know it”.

Creator

Chiba University

“The Japanese Are Non-Religious” and the Study of Religion

Japanese Religion Textbooks

Religion in Japan in Numbers

Lecture

Shinto and Sustainability

The lecture will provide a brief overview of Shinto mythology and
elucidate the Shinto perspective on the world, nature, and human
beings as inferred from it. Subsequently, it will delve into
the　interconnectedness between rice, trees, hemp, and Shinto
mythology, highlighting their pivotal role in preserving the natural
environment. The lecture will also explore the historical production
of these elements and address the contemporary challenges they face.
Through this exploration, students will be prompted to contemplate
the role of Shinto in promoting sustainability.

Creator

Kogakkan University

Exploring the first half of Shinto Mythology

Exploring the Second Half of Shinto Mythology and the Origin of Plants

Shinto and Rice, Trees, and Hemp

Lecture

“Harae” Purification and Shinto

Shintoism arrived at is current form being influenced by Japan’s
natural environment and history. The purification ceremony is one of
the most important aspects of Shintoism, and in tracing back its
history, one will be able to observe Shintoism and the Japanese
culture that lies underneath it. This video will decipher current
purification rituals while explaining its formation and philosophy,
as well as the Japanese view of cleanliness. Kokugakuin University
has been conducting Shinto and classical studies since 1882 and has
many relevant academic assets which will be featured in the video

Creator

Kokugakuin University

The origin of Shinto Rituals and “Harae”

“Harae” and Summer Festivals

Purification tools and places where rituals are held

Lecture

Ise Grand Shrine and Sustainability

This lecture will focus on the Ise Grand Shrine, the most famous of
Shinto shrines. It will begin by providing an overview of the
shrine’s founding history and its rituals. Following that, the
lecture will outline the history and series of rituals associated
with the most characteristic event of the Ise Grand Shrine, Shikinen
Sengū, held every 20 years. Additionally, the discussion will
explore the relationship between these rituals and the concept of
sustainability.

Creator

Kogakkan University

History and Rituals of Ise Grand Shrine

History and Rituals of Shikinen Sengū

Shikinen Sengū and Sustainability

Lecture

Invitation to Buddhist Rituals: Classical Literature and Buddhist
Rituals

Buddhist rites occupied an important place in ancient and medieval
society. Texts that were excellent artistic works were chanted in
Buddhist rituals, and these texts often contained elements of
performing arts. In this course, we will focus on the language
(texts) and music (performing arts elements) of Buddhist rites and
examine how literature, religion, and theater intersected one
another in the medieval period. Additionally, we will take a
multi-layered approach to reflect on the Buddhist rites that are
still being performed today and consider their modern meaning.

Creator

Chiba University

The Rise of the Lotus Sutra Belief: Fujiwara no Michinaga’s Leadership

Vocalization in Buddhist Rituals: The Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s
Buddhist Dovotion

Vocalization and Lyrics in Buddhist Rituals: The Great Preacher Chōken

Lecture

The Japan’s Survey Activities in Wide-Area of Asia at the beginning
of the 20th Century

Kozui Otani’s “Otani Expedition” was not just an exploration of
the Silk Road in the same manner as inland expeditions by the
Western world, but also the unique act of a religious person trying
to see the historical totality of Buddhism in Asia in connection
with Buddhism in Japan. It is here we can see the vitality of Kozui
as he attempts to protect the foundation of Jodo Shinshu, which can
be said to be an extreme form of Mahayana Buddhism. Kozui sought the
Tibetan Buddhist canon, which is possibly the original text of the
Mahayana Buddhist scripture which was translated into Chinese, and
searched for any traces of Buddhism in various regions of Asia. This
can be said to be an attempt to reveal that the historical identity
of the Asian world lies in Buddhism.

Creator

Hiroshima University

Correlation between Large-Scale Research Activities in Asia and
Mahayana Buddhism

Large-Scale Research Activities in Asia & Tibet

Large-Scale Research Activities in Asia & International Political
Community

Lecture

Japanese Philosophy in the Global Era

For this content, we provide an introduction to modern Japanese
philosophy in order to understand the contemporary global society.
The key philosophical term that participants are expected to grasp
through this content is the “nothingness”. Some might think that
this concept is more related to Buddhism than to philosophy.
However, modern Japanese philosophy has also developed through
thinking logically about the “nothingness” from various perspectives
such as experience, embodiment, technology, language and so on. In
this content, participants will see the significance of the
“nothingness” for better understanding the contemporary global era
that comprises several big issues such as digitalization, climate
change, and socio-economic disparity under the capitalist system.
Does the “nothingness” merely mean a total emptiness in the sense of
“there-is-nothing-there”? How is the “nothingness” closely bound up
with our life in society and on the earth? How can we understand
that we always live in a reality that is based on the “nothingness”?
This content provides several perspectives to answer these questions
through learning from some representative figures of Japanese
philosophy such as Nishida Kitarō, Nakamura Yūjirō, and Karatani
Kōjin. Participants will grasp the dynamic development of thoughts
on the “nothingness” in the history of Japanese philosophy and
understand various issues in the contemporary global society in
terms of the “nothingness”.

Creator

Ritsumeikan University

“Nothingness” in Nishida Kitaro’s Phirosophy

“Nothingness” in Nakamura Yujiro’s Phirosophy

Karatani Kojin and his Critical Redefinition of “Nothingness”

Lecture

Religious diversity and community in intercultural education

Religion and community are two significant yet overlooked factors in
intercultural education. In the lecture, I focus on two communities,
the Hidden Christians in Hirado and the elderly community worshiping
Togenuki Jizō in Sugamo (Obaachan no Harajuku), to examine what it
means to belong to a community. These examples from the Japanese
religious world show that the key to intercultural and diversity
education in an increasingly multicultural Japanese society lies in
learning about and engaging with different communities.

Creator

Hiroshima University

Towards Acknowledging Differences

Togenuki Jizo Bodhisattva and older folks

The Hidden Christian Community

Lecture

Summary

Lecture

The Historical Development of the Japanese Martial Arts

The content of this presentation will give an detailed overview
about the historical development of the Japanese Martial Arts from
ancient to modern times.

Creator

Kanazawa University

The Historical Development of the Japanese Martial Arts – Part 1

The Historical Development of the Japanese Martial Arts – Part 2

The Historical Development of the Japanese Martial Arts – Part 3

Lecture

Learning Japanese Culture through Judo

The lecturer will introduce the Japanese culture around the tatami,
a component of judo, through its historical background, with
demonstrations. Focusing on the tatami and its link to rice-farming
culture as well as the etiquette connected to the manners of the
samurai, this course will break down the differences between Japan
and the West, the need for tatami in Japan such as its use in
evacuation shelters, and the differences between the past and
present

Creator

Tokai University

Learning the Tatami Culture and Etiquette of Japan Through Judo

Principles of Throwing Techniques and the Importance of Falling
Techniques in Judo

Judo as an Olympic Sport and the History of Its Internationalization

Lecture

Ninja and Ninjutsu in Japanese History and Culture

We will examine ninja and ninjutsu, iconic examples of Japanese
culture, from an academic perspective. Based on ancient documents
and ninjutsu manuals, we will discuss what kind of presence and role
did ninja occupy in the history of Japan from the Nanboku-chō period
to the Edo period, what kind of ninjutsu they acquired, and what
kind of ethos drove their actions. In addition, by examining ninja
works from the Edo period to the present, we will elucidate the
formation and transition of the ninja image that differs from
historical facts, and look at the appeal of ninja in creative works.

Creator

Mie University

Part1. Reality of Ninja

Part 2. Ninja Explored based on Historical Documents

Part 3. Overview of Works Featuring Ninja

Lecture

Body and mind in Japanese culture

This presentation considers Japan’s ideological history and its
expression in martial arts. Thus Japan’s creative reworkings of
Shintō, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Western thought are the primary
themes. The historical development of these ideas will be examined.
This presentation will consider examples of how these ideas are
manifest in Japanese arts and culture, and how Japan’s past aids to
explain Japan’s present. The martial art of AIkido will then be used
as one example of the conncetion of mind and body in Japan.

Creator

Hiroshima University

Philosophical Background

Action, A Bridge to Aikido

Embodied Ideas – Aikido

Lecture

Kata (型・形) in Japanese Traditional Martial Arts as methodological
tool complementing scientific methodology

This content introduces Kata (型・形) that appear in the practice of
traditional Japanese martial/performing arts, along with
demonstrations by the instructor himself, with its characteristics
as system for transmitting and sharing wisdom (Part 1). By the
comparison with scientific methodology, we formulate the Kata
approach as a methodological tool for dealing with subjects and
objects that cannot be dealt with in science (Part 2). We also
introduce the examples of Kata, in traditional medicine, and
business thinking, that can be applied in modern times (Part 3).

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Part1. Kata in Japanese Traditional Martial Arts

Part2. Kata vs Science their methodological differences

Part3. Application of Kata to variety of issues

Lecture

Learning about “Noh”, a traditional Japanese moving art, with NHK TV
show Japanology Plus

“Noh” is one of the oldest forms of traditional Japanese performing
arts, even compared to others like “Kabuki” and “Kyogen”. “Noh” is a
musical drama performed through the singing and dialogue of the
actors and the playing of musical instruments. On stage, a few
actors perform dramas about love, family, and other themes. The
actors wear “masks” to express the emotions of their characters, a
unique method of expression that encapsulates Japanese culture and
philosophy. What ideas lie behind its creation and techniques? In
this content, we will learn about the culture of Noh through the NHK
Japanology Plus program by Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Learning “Noh” from NHK TV show, Japanology Plus

Part 3: Points of the show, Understanding Noh from “Ma”, Japanese idea
of timing/spacing

Lecture

The Dramaturgy of Chikamatsu Monzaemon

Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1724) is known as the foremost playwright
of the early modern period. Chikamatsu’s plays, which transcended
societal values such as status and honor and focused on human
expression, are highly regarded in and outside of Japan. Chikamatsu
left behind a large body of work as a playwright of kabuki and
Japanese puppet theatre, and with Japanese puppet theatre in
particular, wrote the first long-format tragedy in Japan. This class
will focus on works such as “Kagekiyo Victorious” and “The Love
Suicides at Sonezaki” to reveal the ideas and theater techniques
that underlie Chikamatsu’s works.

Creator

Chiba University

Bunraku as a Form of Theater

The Contribution of Chikamatsu Monzaemon

Composition of Sonezaki Shinjū

Lecture

Puppet Theater of Sado Island

Sado Island is an island off the western coast of mainland Japan.
This lecture is an explanation of kojōruri puppet theatre on Sado
Island. Two types of kojōruri (“old jōruri”) have been handed down
to Sado: sekkyō and bun’ya bushi. It includes many works by
Chikamatsu Monzaemon, a prominent playwright in the history of
Japanese literature and theare. In addition, Bun’ya bushi still
preserves aspects and musical features of the Middle Ages. Through
this lecture, I would like to convey the charm of Sado’s kojōruri
puppet theatre and the significance of its transmission.

Creator

Chiba University

Sado’s Kojōruri: A Unique Form of Puppet Theatre

Chikamatsu in Sado: Analyzing His Surviving Works

The Sound of Sado: The Music of Bun’ya Bushi

Lecture

Summary

Lecture

Books and Reading in Japan: Past, Present, and Future

This course aims to understand the evolution of the book as a
recording medium in Japan in terms of content and form, and to
clarify how people came into contact with books by referring to
picture scrolls and other materials. The course also examines how
the common people of Japan in the Edo period interacted with books,
using the iconography of book-reading as a clue. In addition, the
historical development of printing technology, which has supported
the production of books, will be reviewed, and how the act of
reading could be changed by AI will be discussed.

Creator

Chiba University

The Dawn of Reading in Japan: Emergence of Recorded Text

Books and Reading in the Edo Period

Development of Printing Technologies in Japan

Lecture

Characters Used in Japanese Writing, Their History, and the Current
State of Calligraphy Education in Japan

There are many types of characters used in Japanese writing, and
Japanese people use five different types of characters for different
purposes: kanji, hiragana, katakana, Arabic numerals, and romaji. In
this content, the history of kanji, hiragana, and katakana is
explained in a video along with how to use a brush. It also explains
why Japanese calligraphy education is taught using a brush. Why do
we use a brush to teach calligraphy even though today characters are
written with a pen?　The significance of learning to write with a
brush and the method of calligraphy education will be explained.

Creator

Chiba University

The evolution of kanji scripts

The formation of kana, Significance of brush learning and method of
teaching calligraphy

How to shape the block script of the Kanji

Lecture

Fudoki: A Geography Connecting Ancient Japan to Today

Compiled around 1,300 years ago during the Nara period (710-794),
the Fudoki are the oldest geographical records in Japan. The extant
records include the five provinces of Izumo, Harima, Hitachi, Hizen,
and Bungo as well as fragmentary anecdotes of about 30 provinces
which cover numerous topics such as the origins of place names,
geographical features, products, local customs, and legends. In this
class, we will use references such as the Kojiki, Nihon Shoki,
Manyoshu, and wooden “mokkan” tablets to read and understand the
accounts from the Fudoki and consider how the Fudoki has been
transmitted since its compilation, as well as reflect on regional
pasts and the present through the Fudoki.

Creator

Chiba University

Introduction to Fudoki

The Land-pulling Myth from Izumo Fudoki

The Cultural Heritage of Harima Fudoki

Lecture

Introduction to the History of Japanese Manga

“A Weekly Shonen Magazine in the right hand and an Asahi Journal in
the left,” went a popular saying in the latter half of the 1960s. It
was around this time when reading manga in Japan became commonplace
not only for children but for adults as well. In this class, we will
discuss representative works and authors such as Osamu Tezuka and
gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the history of manga by
examining an overview of the origins and historical significance of
the manga environment surrounding people in today’s Japan.

Creator

Kyoto Seika University

Development of Postwar Japanese Manga History

Connecting to the History of Modern Japanese Manga

Considering the Influence of Manga

Lecture

How Fujin and Raijin Arrived in Japan

When it comes to the wind god Fujin and the thunder god Raijin,
Japanese people would most likely think of the images of them on the
folding screen panels attributed to the artist Tawaraya Sotatsu.
Even if one isn’t familiar with the name of this artist, who
lived around the Momoyama period, or had never seen the folding
screen panels, it would be easy to picture them in one’s mind.
Since entering the TV era, the motifs of Fujin and Raijin have often
appeared on commercials, and even in today’s era of anime and
games, they make various appearances as popular characters. This
course will introduce Fujin and Raijin, the origin of the motifs for
these characters, as they were depicted in China and its western
regions before the Momoyama period in Japan

Creator

Hiroshima University

Japanese people and the two gods

Chinese depictions of the wind God and the Thunder God

Thousand-armed Kannon Worship in the Tang Dynasty and the pairing of
the Wind God and the Thunder God

Lecture

Women’s Court Attire Seen from The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji embodies classical Japanese culture, and
women’s court attire is an iconic representation of it. In
modern times we also have the formal court dress commonly known as
the jūnihitoe (“12 layers”) which connects to the past through an
undercurrent of culture, but the two are quite different. Part 1
explores the relationship between etiquette and women through modern
court attire. Part 2 provides an overview of the transition of
women’s court attire from the era of The Tale of Genji to the
present day. Part 3 shows the process of reconstructing women’s
court attire of the Heian period from The Tale of Genji picture
scrolls and reference materials, and explains how to analyze the
Tale of Genji from the perspective of attire.

Creator

Jissen Women’s University

Ladies’ Attire in the modern Court

The Tale of Genji – Recreated Beauty of a Court Ladies’ Attire

11世紀から19世紀までの宮廷女性の服装

Lecture

Learning about “Japanese tea ceremony and culture” with NHK TV show
Japanology Plus

“Chanoyu” or “Tea ceremony” is a traditional culture centered around
tea. Japanese tea ceremonies are famous for their detailed etiquette
and rules, and are considered as a representative culture that
embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” (hospitality). By studying the
philosophy of “Tea ceremony”, we can understand how etiquette and
rules are connected to the essence of hospitality. But what exactly
is this essence? In this content, we will learn about the culture of
“Tea ceremony” through the NHK Japanology Plus program by Japan’s
public broadcaster, NHK.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Learning “Tea ceremony” from NHK TV show, Japanology Plus

Part 3: Points of the show, Harmonization generated by “Kata and
etiquette”, and Resonance lead by the strength of tension

Lecture

The History of Alcohol and Traditional Culture of Sake in Japan

Alcoholic beverages have been drunk all over the world since ancient
times, and have formed their own history in the culture and climate
of each region. Alcoholic beverage made from rice is thought to have
been introduced to Japan along with rice cultivation, and sake has
developed as a uniquely Japanese alcoholic beverage. In this course,
after introducing sake as a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage
while comparing the characteristics of ingredients and production
methods with other alcoholic beverages, we will introduce the
history of alcoholic beverages in Japan. In addition, we will
explain the components that characterize the flavor of sake, its
production mechanism, and food paring

Creator

Niigata University

What is sake?

History of alcoholic beverages in Japan

Flavor of sake

Lecture

Summary