TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

Tenshin Kakuzo Okakura is an intellectual and art historian. He had paid huge effort to establish the first Japanese university of Arts. Then he became the first president of the Tokyo School of Arts (now the Tokyo University of Arts). He also worked for the Boston Museum of Arts as the director of the Chinese Japanese Art division and encouraged the Westerner to know more about East Asian arts. His book, The Book of Tea, published in 1906 in English in the United States. This book was well received by worldwide readers as a beautiful essay on Asian civilization and beauty. This book is not only on history of arts but also intended to appraise Japan as underdeveloped nation in the world then. Students will find some values fundamental to some modern nation-states by reading this book critically. The objective of this course is to reflect on your conscious and unconscious ideals which guide your lifestyle, in comparison with Okakura's ideas.
Students will review the idealistic character of Japanese intellectuals who established the modern nation-state and national challenges such as Japan's place among the powerful Western nations. However we intend neither to learn the political or cultural history of Japan nor to uncritically praise Okamoto's or Asian Tea values in general.
Students with diverse cultures, especially non-Japanese, who will examine the lifestyle of the Japanese and oneself in a diverse context, are welcomed.
You must read the English copy of the textbook. The discussion, presentation, and report should be based on the English text. Okakura's English is worthy of imitation, and useful for examining Japanese culture both positively and critically.

Student learning outcomes

Student will be aware of one's own ideals and values in comparison with Japanese Tenshin Kakuzo Okakura's ideals. Applying his English, student will learn to express their conscious and unconscious ideals and values in depth in English. Some viewpoints to examine shallow appreciation of Japan will be acquired. The students will be taught to reflect on their unconscious values. Communication skills are developed in English presentation and group collaboration.

Keywords

Tenshin Kakuzo Okakura, Tea rituals, Modern nation-state, awareness of values

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

At the first session, the presentation group will be organized. You are required at least one time to give a review presentation on the very chapter for the day. Everyone should read the assigned chapter and take notes of summary and your own comment (1). The presentation on the chapter topic in English (2) will be followed by lecturer's comment and group discussion (3) in English.
At the conclusion of every class, student required to submit (1) with the summary of the class (2 + 3) and personal comment.

Course schedule/Required learning

Textbook(s)

Tenshin Okakura, The Book of Tea, has various editions. The lecturer recommends reasonable kindle edition.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/Book-Tea-Kakuzo-Okakura-ebook/dp/B000JQUVMC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
However you can use any printed edition in the classroom such as follows: Jpn.岡倉天心『英文収録 茶の本』講談社学術文庫、1994年。

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Some of the Course materials might be distributed in the classroom or OCW-i.

Assessment criteria and methods

The general impression and reflection of your own value, which is required to submit at the second class (10%), summary and comment at the end of every class (35%), presentation in the session in charge (25%), final report (about 2000 word in English or about 5000 character in Japanese, 30%) are examined, focusing on the topic understanding. Missing one session (one day) will result in an automatic lowering of your final grade by 10%. Missing three or more sessions (three days or more) will result in automatic failure of the course.

Related courses

• none

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Limited to students belonging to ToTAL. Students who are not enrolled in ToTAL should take the equivalent course from humanities and social science courses by ILA (course code starts with LAH.)

Other

Language used: English