Japan on the Move. Urban Culture through History from Heian-hyo to Tokyo: course description
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James M. Vardaman, Waseda University
In this course the developments in Japanese cultural history through the movement of populations and evolution of urban culture will be examined. Beginning with the clusters of hunter-gatherers and following the growth of population centers in Kyushu and the Yamato area, we will try to grasp cultural aspects of Japan’s history. Religious centers provide important clues to understanding Japanese thinking on the human’s role in the universe, as well as a view of economic development in pilgrimages and the businesses that developed outside the gates of shrines and temples. Trade routes by sea and land tell where Japan’s priorities were over time and allow us a view of economic and social development. Arrangements of households in villages reflect the nature of Japanese hierarchies and aspects of social responsibility. Castle towns reflect the changing nature of political and economic strategies of the local powers vis-à-vis the central authority. We will focus particularly on the evolution of Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) over some thirteen centuries, and in Tokyo will focus on at least one example, Shinjuku, of development over a period of four centuries into the largest transportation center in the nation. Throughout the course, the focus will be on understanding the dynamics that have formed Japanese society and culture.
