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Japan, A Journey to Modernity: A Six Part Course with Dr. Gavin Campbell
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Commodore Perry’s determination to open Japan in 1853 certainly caused alarm among the nation’s rulers. But many Japanese embraced the opportunity for new encounters and exploring the wider world. Through travel, education and the visual arts they reached out across old borders.
In the 1870s everything seemed open for debate. No idea, no matter how outlandish, failed to find an advocate. Yet few could agree on how much needed to change, and on which old ways, if any, they should keep.
Clothing was a dramatic symbol of modernity. Imported western garments certainly caught the eye, but so, too, did the striking designs, colors and patterns that continually transformed the kimono.
Going shopping had always been fun, but new modern department stores fundamentally changed the meaning of shopping. Women embraced the modern life these stores promoted, and in so doing caused heartburn among those who worried that women were forgetting “their place.”
Modern cities demanded new buildings and new aesthetics. But as the old wooden city gave way to the concrete and steel metropolis, some complained that they felt displaced by their own architects.
All these extraordinary changes and experiments mattered to more than just the Japanese. Japonisme -- the enthusiasm for Japanese traditional crafts -- showed a Western concern that the nation's modernization might rob not only the Japanese, but the world of a precious heritage.
Gavin received a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and came to Kyoto in 2001. He is a Ph.D. professor of history at Doshisha University. His teaching and research revolve around Japan's cultural encounters with the West, particularly during the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and early Showa periods (1600-1940), and he has published on the history of foreign tourism and of Protestant missionaries in Japan. To further explore Japan's global cultural encounters, he is currently writing a book on the history of Japanese menswear from the 1600s through the early 20th century. He is also an expert on Kyoto geisha culture and a frequent participant in geisha entertainment.
Are there additional seminars, courses, and in-person experiences being led on Japanese History?
Yes! Our Context Experts will be leading several virtual experiences in the coming weeks. Details are available here.
To explore Context Travel's available in-person tours in Japan, click here.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Excellent course covering important aspects of Japan's history, culture and its global Influence.
Always learn so much from Dr. CAMPBELLS webinars on Japan. He presents a broad overview of Japanese customs and culture that whet a students curiosity for more informstion.
Dr Campbell’s deep knowledge of Japan is communicated in a structured way, with excellent slides and his personal experience, a warm touch. He addresses preconceptions and superficial readings imposed by the West. It opens the mind & curiosity for further exploration. His lectures on art widens the view of painting in Paris & London from interacting with Japan, so shifts a bit the Western-centric viewpoint.
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A Six Part Course of A Journey to Japan’s Modernity was excellent. The development of modernity of Japan evolving from the Japanese people themselves was emphasized.
Lectures covering modernization of historical, governmental, cultural, fashion, architecture, art and the lives of women were explained in great detail with beautiful slides, illustrations and images.
I would say that this seminar is truly excellent to give insight to Japanese people.
Dr. Campbell is an excellent lecturer, passionate with his work, well prepared and organized.
I have been to Japan three times and would like to go again, giving more attention to my surroundings with this new knowledge.
I learned and enjoyed it very much, taking lots of notes. Having recordings available was very helpful. This allowed me to concentrate on the lecture.
I could go to recordings as necessary to add missing points to my notes.