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Japanese Culture Through Rare Books

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Brief Introduction

Explore the important roles that books have played in the cultural history of Japan.

Course Summary

Explore the unique history and culture of Japanese rare books with this FutureLearn course. Learn about the craftsmanship and techniques used in creating these rare and beautiful books.

Key Learning Points

Discover the history and culture of Japanese rare books
Learn about the techniques and craftsmanship used in creating these books
Explore the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese rare books

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

Rare Book Curator
- USA: $50,000 - $70,000
- India: INR 5,00,000 - INR 7,00,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €35,000
Antique Book Dealer
- USA: $40,000 - $60,000
- India: INR 4,00,000 - INR 6,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000
Museum Curator
- USA: $40,000 - $60,000
- India: INR 4,00,000 - INR 6,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000

Learning Outcomes

Gain an understanding of the history and culture of Japanese rare books
Learn about the unique techniques and craftsmanship used in creating these books
Develop an appreciation for the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese rare books

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

None
Interest in Japanese culture and history

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Japanese Art: Japanese Tea Ceremony
Japanese Culture and Society
Japanese Language: Introduction to Japanese Scripts

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Requirements

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, and 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. The Educators/Hosts will facilitate this course for about three times a year. Our next facilitation period is 1 June - 21 June, 2020. While the Educators themselves aren’t available to facilitate this run, we encourage you to engage with other learners and there are opportunities to do this throughout the course.

Knowledge

How to handle old Japanese booksEvolution of scripts and materials used in traditional Japanese booksBinding methods and the practice of reformattingThe hierarchy of book formats in traditional JapanRelationship between format and content in traditional Japanese booksGenre and bindingHistory of illustrated manuscripts and printed illustrated booksHistory of printing and publishing in JapanPrinted books and the development of scholarship in early-modern Japan

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the rich culture of Japanese literature and rare books in this online course. Students have found the course to be engaging and informative, with a strong emphasis on historical context and cultural significance.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Many users appreciated the course's emphasis on historical context and cultural significance.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative course content
Strong emphasis on historical context and cultural significance
Interactive activities and discussions
Access to rare and interesting book collections
Opportunity to learn from knowledgeable instructors

Cons from User Reviews

Limited practical applications for non-academic professionals
Some technical issues with the online learning platform
Course may be too basic for advanced learners
Limited interaction with instructors
No formal certification or accreditation

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