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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).

Ohniwa Ryosuke

University of Tsukuba

Faculty of Medicine Associate Professor +2

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.

Each lecturer introduces the culture of Shikoku and Tokushima from the past to the present along with a presentation. A Tokushima University faculty member offers an overview of the Shikoku pilgrimage and its impact on local communities, starting with Ryōzen-ji, the first temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage. In the Awa Odori section, a representative from a local ren (dance group) introduces their history and dancing style along with local culture. In the Aizome section, an Aizome craftsman explains the history of how indigo dyeing came to thrive in Tokushima, its current use, and the technique of indigo dyeing.

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.