Travel Books: History in Europe and Japan
Keio University
  • Start Date: 27 Jun, 2022
  • 3 weeks
  • Study Content: Videos


Discover how travelling books sparked cultural exchanges between Europe and Japan, and how they live on in the digital era.

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility

Course Description

This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and FutureLearn partnership.

Unlock the history of travelling books in Europe and Japan


Books are cultural artefacts that are easily transported and translated. As such, they have been important in fostering relationships between countries for hundreds of years.


On this three-week course presented by Keio University and the British Library, you’ll learn more about the history of European and Japanese literature promoting cultural exchange, how this continues in the digital era, and how vital this exchange is.


Delve into the history of travelling books


To start you’ll find out how books moved between Europe and Japan, beginning in the 16th century.


Discover how the books were received, compare printing styles, and find out about the role that Jesuit priests played in these book-sharing interactions.


Explore the rich heritage of travelling books and travel books


In the second and third weeks of the course, you’ll get to appreciate how travelling books influenced individuals, society, and European and Japanese literature.


Besides explaining the importance of rare and illustrated books, the course shows you how to trace physical signs on the pages that show what life was like for readers and collectors in the past.


Finally, you’ll learn about the way travel books led to great cultural exchange by allowing people to learn about places that they would never otherwise have experienced.


Expand your history know-how with leading experts


The course is jointly produced by Japan’s Keio University and the British Library, which are both recognised in their own countries and abroad.


With their rich resources and longtime friendship, these institutions will deepen your understanding and appreciation of European culture, Japanese culture, and how books brought (and bring) them together.


このコースは日本語版もございます


This course is designed for anyone interested in European and Japanese literature, printing and historical books. Those who want to explore the lessons that can be learned by comparing books from different cultures will especially enjoy it.


Acknowledgements


We would like to acknowledge the following experts for providing valuable contributions to this course:



  • Kristian Jensen, Former Head of Collections and Curation, the British Library / Chair of the Consortium of European Research Libraries

  • Karen Limper-Herz, Lead Curator, Incunabula & Sixteenth Century Printed Books, Western Heritage Collections, the British Library

  • Hamish Todd, Head of East Asian Collections, the British Library

  • Alessandro Bianchi, Bodleian Japanese Librarian, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford


Japanese-English translation by Daichi Ishikawa, an English Literature specialist at Keio University.


Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

Keio University

Keio University is a private, comprehensive higher education institution located on six campuses spread across the Greater Tokyo area. It offers an environment of academic and research excellence in a wide range of fields, and includes a university hospital. Founded in 1858, it is Japan’s first modern institution of higher learning, and over the last century and a half it has established itself as a leader in Japan through its continued commitment to education, research and medicine.

Keio has its origins in the school of Western learning established by Yukichi Fukuzawa, a school which soon evolved into a major center of learning. As a highly respected educator and intellectual, Fukuzawa was one of the pioneers of modern Japan. He aspired for Keio to become a model and leader of society, stressing the importance of learning that is based on jitsugaku, or “science”. In today’s changing world, Keio upholds its founder’s spirit of science as it continues to fulfill his aspiration.

 

This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with FutureLearn.

You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
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