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Japanese Culture Through Rare Books

Goki Miyakita, Keiko Okawa, Yumiko Murai, Wataru Ichinohe, Akinori Takanobu, Takahiro Sasaki, Gian-Piero Persiani, Hope Z, and Motoki Yasui

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This is an introductory course and is open to anyone with an interest in the history of Japanese books. A basic knowledge of the history of Japan and Japanese literature will be helpful but is not required. This course can also be studied alongside two companion courses, Sino-Japanese Interactions Through Rare Books and The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books. The course makes use of a number of visual resources which may unfortunately make some of the activities not accessible to learners with visual impairment. Course videos will be in Japanese with English subtitles. You can use the hashtag #FLjapanesebooks to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

How to handle old Japanese books
Evolution of scripts and materials used in traditional Japanese books
Binding methods and the practice of reformatting
The hierarchy of book formats in traditional Japan
Relationship between format and content in traditional Japanese books
Genre and binding
History of illustrated manuscripts and printed illustrated books
History of printing and publishing in Japan
Printed books and the development of scholarship in early-modern Japan

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Reviews summary

Detailed history of japanese rare books

According to learners, this course provides a highly detailed and fascinating look into Japanese rare books. Students particularly appreciated the rich collection of visual examples and the in-depth historical context provided, covering aspects like binding methods, scripts, and printing history. While many found the content exceptionally informative, some noted that it assumes a certain level of engagement and can be quite academic in style, potentially feeling dense for complete beginners. The focus is strictly on books, which is a niche subject, so it's best suited for those with a genuine interest in the material history of Japanese books.

Focused strictly on rare books.

"The title is accurate; it's very focused on the books themselves and their physical aspects."

"If you're not specifically interested in the history and form of rare books, this might not be for you."

"It covers Japanese culture *through* rare books, not Japanese culture broadly."

"I expected a wider view of Japanese culture, but this is specifically material history of books."

Covers a rarely taught topic.

"It's difficult to find information on this specific topic elsewhere, so this course was invaluable."

"I appreciated the unique focus on the physical aspects and history of Japanese books."

"This course fills a gap for anyone interested in book history or Japanese studies."

"A truly one-of-a-kind course subject."

Deep exploration of book history.

"I learned an incredible amount about the history of printing and publishing in Japan."

"The sections on the evolution of scripts and materials were very informative."

"It really delves into the technical and historical aspects of book creation."

"Gave me a solid foundation in the historical context of these items and their creation."

Abundant images of actual rare books.

"The course was full of beautiful images of rare books, which made the history come alive."

"I appreciated seeing so many examples of the different binding types and scripts discussed."

"Visually stunning, the access to images of these materials was invaluable."

"Seeing the actual books and manuscripts discussed was a major highlight for me."

Can be challenging for beginners.

"Although it says no prior knowledge required, having some background in history or Japanese literature helped a lot."

"Some parts felt quite academic and dense, requiring careful attention."

"I found the initial sections on scripts and formats a bit overwhelming without prior context."

"The pacing felt fast at times, especially if you're completely new to the subject."

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Learners who complete Japanese Culture Through Rare Books will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Japanese Culture Through Rare Books.

Japanese Paper Crafting

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A comprehensive and authoritative overview of the history, production, and cultural significance of washi paper. must-read for anyone interested in the topic.

Japanese Paper Crafting: Create 17 Paper Craft...

Hardcover

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Japanese Paper Crafting: Create 17 Paper Craft...

Kindle Edition

A History of Reading

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Provides a global history of the book, from its origins in ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. It discusses the development of different writing systems, the spread of literacy, and the impact of books on human civilization.

Japanese Culture Through Rare Books

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Detailed history of japanese rare books

Career center

Reading list

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