Words Spun Out of Images: Visual and Literary Culture in Nineteenth Century Japan from Coursera

In their ambition to capture “real life,” Japanese painters, poets, novelists and photographers of the nineteenth century collaborated in ways seldom explored by their European contemporaries. This course offers learners the chance to encounter and appreciate behavior, moral standards and some of the material conditions surrounding Japanese artists in the nineteenth century, in order to renew our assumptions about what artistic “realism” is and what it meant.

Learners will walk away with a clear understanding of how society and the individual were conceived of and represented in early modern Japan. Unlike contemporary western art forms, which acknowledge their common debt as “sister arts” but remain divided by genre and discourse, Japanese visual and literary culture tended to combine, producing literary texts inspired by visual images, and visual images which would then be inscribed with poems and prose. Noticing and being able to interpret this indivisibility of visual/literary cultures is essential in understanding the social and psychological values embedded within the beauty of Japanese art.

What's inside

Syllabus

Samurai Portraits

One good way to gauge the distance between literary and visual culture in early modern Japan is to examine the ways in which painters and poets depicted their contemporaries. Portraits of samurai are especially rich in information about how men at the top of the social ladder wished to be “viewed” as physical entities, and how they expressed themselves as moral actors within society. In the first module, we will learn the basic formal aspects of samurai portraiture, and at the same time begin to interpret poems and prose inscribed onto the images themselves.

Painted Beauties

Visual images of women produced in Japan before the introduction of photography can be divided into two types: portraits of women who actually existed in society, and painted or printed images of idealized “beauties,” whose resemblance to physical reality was subsumed often to an intense interest in mode and situational aspect. Like samurai portraits, images of women, both real and imagined, would often be inscribed with texts which instruct viewers how to understand and appreciate them. In this module, we will overview several painted and printed images, and learn how contemporary viewers used these images and their texts as a tool to understand the world.

The Literary Photograph I

What methods did early modern Japanese artists and writers have at hand to “capture the moment,” and how did these methods influence the introduction and adaption of western photography in the mid-nineteenth century? In this module we will see how photographic modes of representation were assimilated into the literary tradition of portraiture, which was covered in modules 1 and 2.

The Literary Photograph II

Our final module traces the trajectory of the literary photograph from the end of the long nineteenth century into Japan’s modern era. Photographic images of the human figure in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Japan were often accompanied by literary writing inscribed either on the image itself, or on its reverse side. Modern novelists sometimes published photographs with short poems as captions. We will wrap up our course with a summary of how visual and written modes of representation colluded, and combined to produce powerful documents of social and psychological actuality.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the history of Japanese art and its reflection of society

Develops an understanding of samurai culture and its representation in art

Provides insights into the role of women in Japanese society through the analysis of visual images

Examines the influence of Western photography on Japanese art and its impact on the representation of the human figure

Suitable for students interested in Japanese history, culture, and art

No explicit prerequisites, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

Reviews summary

"words spun out of images": a journey into 19th century japanese literature and culture

Learners say this course offers an engaging exploration of 19th century Japanese history and culture from the perspective of literature and visual arts. Reviewers especially appreciate the knowledgeable instructor's clear and inspiring presentation that introduces connections between art, imagery, and written words. Some learners thought the course was a bit limited by its focus on how men viewed women, but the majority of reviewers highly recommend the course to anyone interested in Japanese culture, history, or visual arts.

Covers Edo and Meiji restoration periods

"Very interesting where I finished the whole course 2 weeks before the due date because I really enjoyed it."

"This is a very interesting course. It opens a new window of looking at the Japanese culture that's been immortalized through the connection between visual and literary media."

"Fascinating. Dr. Campbell - thank you for sharing your private collection of images and books (as well as your knowledge and reflections) with us!"

"I have studied Japanese culture and history and lived in Japan for over 10yearsand definitely appreciate the perspectrive and detail delivered in the course."

"An enlightening journey into beautiful images with words providing a rich narrative of intellectual and cultural heritage of a nation built on a long history of conflict tempered with honour, integrity and beauty."

Uses images and photographs to help learners understand the content

"Excellent course with interesting topics and simple explanations."

"This course provides very interesting information about Japanese art, its history, influences and historical processes."

"The content is very interesting and well explained and many beautiful images, too."

"Fascinating, well edited, served in easy to digest bits, and very communicative."

"Absolutely amazing course for anyone interested in writing, artistry, or history."

Introduces aspects of Japanese culture and history not found in basic overviews

"Learnt so much and had acquired really great insights on Japanese culture."

"I really enjoyed learning the connection between art and literature and understanding the basic history that was the backdrop to everything which was presented."

"This course has helped me to broaden my knowledge."

"For me this course has been a first approximation to Japanese culture."

"An excellent course—I wish we had access to other courses taught by Dr. Campbell."

In-depth look at Japanese art and literature in the 19th century

"The course was fascinating and well presented."

"I learned a lot about the relationship between words and images in "long" nineteenth-century art and literary culture."

"This course was a great insight to how much change happened in Japan at the turn of the 20th century."

"An informative and interesting course on the Artistic culture of 19th century japan, that gives a nice introduction to the art of this time, while showing a deep appreciation of the artists of this time."

Expert in Japanese art, literature, and history

"Hisanori Sato"

"Professor Robert Campbell is amazing and will take you through a beautiful journey where you will learn about Japanese visual and literary traditions before, during, and after the Edo period."

"An amazing course that brought me a deep understanding of and a part of the history of art in japan and how its artistic processes and artists were influenced by times of profound historical change for japan."

"I have come to know a lot of unknown facts about the cultures of Japan from this course."

"Thank you very much for the course, I loved every single lecture, I learned the way to understand the way of creating text and art and importance of the set of those."

Focuses on perspectives of men on women

"But I don't think it useful in my life."

"I just feel like the professor has something in his mind and not tell us and sometimes he can't explain all the things he want to explain into words."

"And I think he focus only on how men see women, and I think that's unfair, I also want to know how women see men, too."

"But I understand that maybe in that period, women is just men's."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Words Spun Out of Images: Visual and Literary Culture in Nineteenth Century Japan with these activities:

Practice drawing Japanese characters

Show steps

This practice will help you develop the skills necessary to create your own Japanese artworks.

Browse courses on Japanese Writing

Show steps

Find a resource that provides practice exercises for drawing Japanese characters.
Practice drawing the characters regularly.

Read The Tale of Genji

Show steps

This novel is considered a classic of Japanese literature, and will provide valuable context for understanding the course material.

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the novel.
Read the novel at your own pace.
Take notes on the characters, plot, and themes of the novel.

Follow a tutorial on how to create a Japanese painting

Show steps

This tutorial will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own Japanese painting.

Show steps

Find a tutorial on how to create a Japanese painting that is appropriate for your skill level.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your own painting.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Participate in a peer review session

Show steps

This session will allow you to get feedback on your work from your peers, and will help you to improve your skills.

Show steps

Find a peer review session that is open to students in your course.
Bring your work to the session and present it to your peers.
Listen to the feedback from your peers and ask questions.

Create a portfolio of your own artwork

Show steps

This project will allow you to put your understanding of Japanese art into practice, and will provide a valuable way to demonstrate your skills.

Show steps

Choose a medium and subject matter for your artwork.
Create a series of artworks that demonstrate your skills and understanding of Japanese art.
Present your portfolio to your instructor or classmates for feedback.

Mentor a fellow student in the course

Show steps

This activity will allow you to reinforce your understanding of the course material by helping others to learn.

Show steps

Identify a fellow student who could benefit from your help.
Meet with the student regularly to provide support and guidance.

Write a paper on a topic related to Japanese art

Show steps

This assignment will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the course material, and will provide an opportunity to explore a topic of your interest in more depth.

Show steps

Choose a topic for your paper.
Research your topic and gather information.
Write your paper.

Career center

Learners who complete Words Spun Out of Images: Visual and Literary Culture in Nineteenth Century Japan will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Art Critic

Art Critics analyze and interpret visual art, providing insights into its meaning and value. This course can help you develop the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to succeed in this role. You will learn how to interpret visual imagery and understand the social and cultural context in which it was created.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Critic

Art historian

Art Historians study the history of art and its cultural significance. This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Japanese art history, from the samurai era to the modern period. You will learn how to analyze and interpret visual imagery and understand the social and cultural forces that have shaped its development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Curator

Curators are responsible for managing and displaying art collections in museums and other institutions. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Japanese art and culture, as well as the skills necessary to curate and interpret exhibitions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curator

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach about Japanese art and culture in a engaging and accessible way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Art teacher

Art Teachers instruct students in the principles and practices of art. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach art effectively. You will learn how to develop lesson plans, assess student work, and create a positive learning environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual aspects of creative projects, such as advertising campaigns and film productions. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of visual culture and how it can be used to communicate ideas effectively. You will learn how to collaborate with artists and designers to create visually stunning content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Photographer

Photographers use visual imagery to capture moments and tell stories. This course will help you develop your technical and artistic skills as a photographer. You will learn how to compose images, use light and shadow to create desired effects, and edit and manipulate photographs to communicate your ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course will develop your understanding of visual communication and provide you with the skills necessary to create effective and visually appealing designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Interior designer

Interior Designers plan, research, and coordinate space in order to meet the needs of people using the space. This course will develop your understanding of how visual culture and design principles are applied to interior spaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers sketch, design, and produce clothing and accessories. This course will develop your understanding of fashion history, theory, and design principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Art Therapist

Art Therapists use art to help people explore their emotions and improve their mental health. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to use art therapy in a clinical setting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Therapist

Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical documents and artifacts. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in an archival setting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Librarian

Librarians assist patrons in finding and using library resources. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a library setting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Museum Registrar

Museum Registrars manage the movement of art and artifacts in and out of museums. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a museum registrar.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Registrar

Art conservator

Art Conservators preserve and restore works of art. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an art conservator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art conservator