OVERVIEW

In Japan, Eurasia’s extreme geographic limit, there developed a complex civilization, typically insular, rich in local traditions yet cosmopolitan, capable of assimilating and ‘japanising’ the contributions and influxes coming from Continental Asia, Insular and Southern Asia and Europe. Within this cultural and historical framework, the technical foundations and artistic, ideological and social meanings of Japan’s figurative and decorative arts of the Edo period (1600-1867) and the Meiji era (1868-1912) will be explored and analysed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main aim of these lessons consists in: (1) Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural perception of the civilization of Japan and of its main developing lines during the proto-modern and modern ages (17th-19th centuries). (2) Evidencing the most peculiar aesthetic and technical aspects of the Japanese artistic productions. (3) Focusing on the Asian and European civilization influences on the art productions of Japan and, conversely, on the influence of Japanese art in the West during the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main aim of these lessons consists in: (1)  Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural perception of the civilization of Japan and of its main developing lines during the proto-modern and modern ages (17th-19th centuries). (2)  Evidencing the most peculiar aesthetic and technical aspects of Japan’s artistic productions, both figurative and decorative. (3)  Focusing on the Asian and European civilization influences on the arts of Edo-period Japan and, conversely, on the influences of Japanese art of the Meiji era in Europe during the second half of the19th century. (4) Expressing the topics with clear and correct language, using the appropriate aesthetic, historical and technical terms.

Students are advised to attend the classes as much as possible.

TEACHING METHODS

Forty hours subdivided into twenty lessons (two hours each), carried out with Power Point presentations comprising images, written captions and explanations, as well as vocal comments.

The lessons are delivered at the university classroom and are to be followed exclusively there. The attendance, albeit not compulsory, is strongly advised. Only the students who regularly attend the lessons at the university classroom can be regarded as attendees.

Upon specific written request by email on the part of each student, the teacher allows them to attend at distance, on the Teams platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to the cultural history of Japan in the proto-modern and modern periods

History of culture and development of ideas and thought in early modern and modern Japan (17th-19th centuries). – Japan and Asia. – Japan and the West, the West and Japan. – Japan’s modernisation in the Meiji era (1868-1912). – Historical profile of the Japanese legislation on cultural properties in the late 19th century.

The history of arts in early-modern and modern Japan (17th-19th century)

Subjects and topics of the lessons

• Japanese collections in the USA, Europe and Italy, with special regard to the ‘Edoardo Chiossone’ Museum of Oriental Art at Genoa.
• The culture of the city-dwellers (chōnin bunka) during the Edo period. Lifestyle and imagery of the bourgeois and the common people as represented in ukiyoe, “the images of the floating world”: (1) Paintings (nikuhitsu ukiyoe); (2) “Brocade prints” (nishikie hanga); (3) Male and female clothing accessories of artistic importance.
• Artistic, decorative and technical cultures in the Edo period and the Meiji era: lacquerware, porcelain, metal, enamel.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Donatella Failla, Masterpieces of Japanese art from Edo period to modernisation, Silvana Editoriale d’Arte, Milano 2002.

Donatella Failla, “The protection of cultural properties in Japan. Part One”, Zeitschrift für Japanisches Recht / Journal of Japanese Law, Deutsch-Japanische Juristenvereinigung E.V., Max-Planck-Institut für Privatrecht, 9. Jahrgang / Vol. 9 (2004) Nr. 18, pp. 67-100.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DONATELLA FAILLA (President)

GIACOMO MONTANARI

FABRIZIO BENENTE (Substitute)

DONATELLA FAILLA (President)

MIRYAM ZOCCHEDDU

GIACOMO MONTANARI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 5th, 2022

Class schedule

HISTORY OF ART OF EAST ASIA

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

• Brief oral intermediate tests administered to he attendees during the classes.
• Final oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Carried out coherently with the aim of the lessons and the learning outcomes, the intermediary and final oral exams will ascertain the candidates’ ability in:

(1) Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural view of the artistic civilization of Japan and its main developing lines during the early-modern and modern ages (17th-19th century).

(2) Evidencing the historical and cultural, aesthetic and technical aspects peculiar to the Japanese artistic productions, both figurative and decorative.

(3) Focusing on the influences of the Asian and European civilizations on the art productions of Japan and, conversely, on the influence of Japanese art in Europe during the second half of the19th century.

The candidate’s exam will be evaluated according to the following parameters:

(1) Coherence and consistence in describing the art-historical and socio-cultural contexts;

(2) Capability of critical reasoning on the subject and its various topics;

(3) Expository ability and style, proper use of the aesthetic and technical vocabulary concerning the artistic productions. 

FINAL EXAM SESSIONS

Three (3) exam sessions in winter (Jan., Feb.) and four (4) exam sessions in summer (June, July, Sep.) will be established. Extra-ordinary exam sessions will not be conceded beyond the periods declared in the public regulations of the Course of Studies, except for the students who have not completed university exams within set time.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Examination programme

(1) Study of the texts listed above.

(2) Notes taken by the students during the classes, integrated by the lessons delivered in Power Point presentation format and, if needed, by further material made available by the teacher.