Art & The World: Japan – Four Week Course

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Develop an introductory knowledge of Japanese history and philosophy
• Understand the key themes and subjects explored in traditional Japanese art and culture
• Discuss the role of the kimono in Japanese society in historical and contemporary contexts
• Describe how Japanese art movements and styles have changed over time
• Develop an understanding of how Japanese aesthetics reflect cultural practices and attitudes within Japanese society

Week 1: Introduction to Japanese Art, Culture and Beliefs 
In this first week, we will explore how Japanese art is closely tied to nature, spirituality, and cultural traditions. Looking at the spiritual roots of Japanese art through Shinto and Buddhism beliefs, we will consider how beliefs like nature worship and living in harmony with the natural world are communicated in artistic expression. This session will also engage with the concept of wabi-sabi, an appreciation for imperfection, transience, and natural beauty, through an examination of everyday objects in the NGV Collection such as ceramics and tea utensils, learning how these seemingly simple pieces embody deep cultural and artistic sensibilities.  

Week 2: Medieval Aristocracy & Samurai Culture 
The legacy of the samurai, an elite warrior class in Japanese history, continues to captivate modern and global imaginations. But where did these iconic figures come from, what was their role in society, and how was their identity depicted in art and design? This week, we explore the visual culture of Japan’s aristocratic and warrior classes, with a particular focus on the world of the samurai. We will consider the ceremonial and symbolic role of clothing during the medieval period and explore how visual culture reinforced the social hierarchies of the time. This week’s session includes an in-depth look at kimono made for the elite, featuring outstanding examples of textile craftsmanship and design innovation from the NGV Collection as displayed in the Kimono exhibition.

Week 3: Edo Period Merchant Culture  
In Week Three we will journey into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, a time when peace, prosperity, and the rise of a wealthy urban merchant class sparked an extraordinary flourishing of visual culture. What happens when art is no longer reserved for the elite, but becomes part of everyday life? This session introduces this dynamic era in Japanese history, which gave rise to new forms of artistic expression that were accessible, innovative, and deeply connected to daily experience. Looking at significant works from the NGV Collection, including woodblock prints by renowned artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, we will learn how these works provide rich insights into the aesthetics, humour, and social commentary of the time. This session will also introduce working-class kimono that showcase the creative use of materials, patterns, and techniques in garments made for daily wear. Together, these objects reveal how art and fashion became powerful means of cultural participation and identity for a broader spectrum of society. 

Week 4: Modernism to Contemporary 
In the final week of the course, we will explore the influence that  Japan’s creative traditions have had on the West, as well as the ways that the West has impacted Japanese art and culture since the end of Japan’s isolationist policy in the mid-nineteenth century when its bordered opened once more to trade and diplomacy – ending a period of more than two hundred years of isolation. We will examine the far-reaching influence of Japanese art and design on the global stage, from the wave of Japonisme in 19th-century Europe and 1930s modernism in Japan bringing in various western influences to art, culture and fashion, to the bold innovations of contemporary Japanese art and fashion that has captivated audiences around the world. We will reflect on the work of global icon Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most celebrated living artists, and the contemporary designs featured in Kimono – considering what happens when tradition and the avant-garde collide. This week will also explore the rise of street fashion in Tokyo’s Harajuku and Shibuya neighbourhood, and how manga, anime, and Otaku culture continue to reimagine traditional forms in playful, subversive, and creative ways.  

The course will take place weekly on Monday evenings, 6pm–8pm from 25 August – 15 September.

Includes tea, cofee and light refreshments on arrival in the NGV Members Lounge.

This course introduces the art and design of Japan and its far-reaching cultural and social influence through a study of key artworks, movements and styles. Participants will learn how the art and design of Japan has transformed over time explore and its influence and impact on international cultural production, trends and histories.

Classes are held in the NGV’s learning spaces and galleries and take place after-hours to provide an exclusive and intimate learning experience, including private access to the Kimono exhibition.

No prior knowledge or experience is required.

A prescribed reading and resources list will be provided to course participants as part of the course materials, providing links to a curated selection of books, articles and videos to extend your learning.

$380 Members / $420 Adult / $400 Concession, Student & Educator
+ $5.50 Booking Fee

Enrol in more than one course to receive a 10% discount.

Art and The World: Japan offers an inspiring and creative professional learning opportunity for teachers of all levels and subjects. Art and The World: Japan meets the following AITSL standards:

A certificate of professional learning is available on request.