Japanese calligraphy and manuscript materials 3600-JA-KJKMR-OW
The course is concerned with Japanese writing, calligraphy and all sorts of hand-written materials, incunabula and xylographic prints. Subjects to be discussed and practised during the classes are as follows:
1. Japanese writing system, kanji, hiragana and katakana syllabaries and their origins,
2. historical writing systems, created in China: kinbun, tensho, reisho and others; kaisho, gyosho, sosho styles,
3. man’yogana, kuzushiji, historical kana ortography (rekishiteki kanazukai), methods of using of kuzushiji dictionary,
4. different forms of Japanese book: scrolls, books; methods of producing books and covers, paper dimensions, ornamenting,
5. kakemono, jiku – calligraphy scrolls, especially chakake, scrolls used in the way of tea: names of their parts, ways and order of watching the scrolls, history,
6. xylographic prints and old prints, made with movable type,
7. old prints produced in Jesuit printshops on Kyushu (16/17th centuries),
8. copying of Buddhist sutras (shakyo) – history, utensils, materials, examples,
9. history of calligraphy in Japan: prominent calligraphers, styles, rules, examples, copybooks, calligraphy education today,
10. historical manuscripts and documents – komonjo, their examples, types, ways of reading
et al.
All the subjects will be discussed and practised, and the exercises will be concerned with reading and discerning of different types of materials, therefore knowledge of Japanese language and writing system is required (minimum required is the level equal to one year of Japanese studies).
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
After the course the student:
Knowledge:
– has detailed and organized knowledge of Japanese literature and writings; can name and characterize most important phenomena/trends/literary texts/writings of Japan [K_W05]
– has detailed and organized knowledge of history of Japan [K_W06]
– has detailed and organized knowledge of philosophy and religion of Japan [K_W07]
– has detailed and organized knowledge of Japanese art and aesthetics [K_W08]
– has detailed and organized knowledge of socio-cultural issues in Japan within the scope of natural environment and ethnic, demographic and political situation [K_W09]
– basic grasp of contemporary cultural life in Japan [K_W16]
Skills:
– can search for, analyze, evaluate and use information from different sources [K_U01]
– can use the knowledge of history of Japan to analyze and interpret events taking place in the modern world [K_U04]
– can read, analyze and interpret literary texts and other works of culture (film, press, social writing) of Japan and appropriately place them in their cultural context [K_U06]
– can indicate most important intellectual problems, dilemmas, aesthetic preferences taking shape inside the culture of Japan [K_U10]
– has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of cultural issues of Japan in Polish and in Japanese languages taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of Japan [K_U21]
Social competences:
– can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity [K_K04]
– has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world [K_K05]
– sees the need of dialogue between cultures [K_K06]
– is aware of significance the culture of Japan has for the culture of the world [K_K07]
– acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural and linguistic heritage of Japan [K_K08]
– perceives the positive socio-cultural values of Japan and possibility to use them in own personal development and effective intercultural communication [K_K09]
Assessment criteria
Continuous assessment and semester paper.