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First Year Seminar 4: From Samurai to Sony
Soon after the opening of Japan to the West in the mid-nineteenth century, "things Japanese" became objects of fascination among artists, collectors, and even the general public in Europe and the United States. The impact of a Japanese aesthetic was immediately seen in painting, architecture and the decorative arts. To this day Japan continues to influence the arts and design in the West. However, Japanese conceptions of what makes their culture unique and images of Japan familiar in the West often have little in common. How to define the Japanese aesthetic has long troubled scholars in Japan and abroad. Is there a Japanese aesthetic? If so, how can it be defined? Through a series of case studies we will attempt to answer these questions. The seminar will examine a number of cultural phenomena considered to be definitive expressions of the Japanese aesthetic such as samurai, geisha, the tea ceremony, and Zen. Examples from Japanese film, literature, art, fashion, and commercial design will also be used to facilitate our exploration of Japanese art and culture. The course will consist of assigned readings, lecture, discussion, and frequent writing. Co-taught by Professors Samuel Morse and Patrick Caddeau.