Japanese Books

This course expands the definition of the “book” to include scrolls and albums, focusing on the reading experience of a variety of formats in Japan. You will begin by examining rare and beautifully preserved manuscripts in the Harvard Art Museums in an introduction exploring the material properties of Japanese [...]

Learn about the history, production and design of papers used inside Japanese rare books. Deepen your understanding of rare books and Japanese culture. The papers inside books can last hundreds of years if cared for correctly. This course will look at the history of papers used inside Japanese rare [...]

Explore the important roles that books have played in the cultural history of Japan. A book is a tool for preserving words and images. Through books, an abundance of information, including the knowledge and experiences of the people of the past, has been handed down to the present. But [...]