NEWS

Latest news and announcements from the Institute.

Latest Update: 2018.11.21

2018.11.21

AY 2018
Exhibition

of Items Deposited by
the Century Cultural Foundation

Calligraphy and Books of Zen Priests

The term Bokuseki (literally traces of ink) refers to the calligraphy of Zen priests which has since antiquity been held in high regard in Japan among adherents of the art of the tea ceremony. This esteem is a testament to both the aesthetic appeal of the calligraphy itself and the spirituality which it exudes. Yet these pieces not only stem from the rigorous ascetic practices of Zen, but are the fruits of the scholarly and literary regime of these priests who were dedicated readers and composers of classical Chinese literature and poetry.

At this exhibition, we hope to be able to provide an insight into the cultural pursuits of Zen priests by presenting the books which supported their scholarly activities and volumes collecting their literary output alongside examples of calligraphy.

Featured items

Buddhist Verse (bokuseki) by Zheweng Ruyan and Huanxi Weiyi; Portrait of Gaofeng Yuanmiao; Image of Tenjin by Sekikyakushi; Mossho Shougo: Song-ban edition (Collection of Zen monks’ teachings and verse of the Song-period); Shunju Keiden Shikkai: Gozan-ban edition (the Compiled Annotations of “The Spring and Autumn Annals—an ancient Chinese chronicle of the state of Lu” and commentaries); Kyoun-shu: Okimori edition (Mad Cloud Collection by Ikkyu Sojun).

Event information
Dates: Monday, November 12 – Friday, December 14, 2018
  • ・Venue 1: Mita Media Center (Keio University Library) Exhibition Room
  • ・Venue 2: Keio University Art Space
  • Opening hours: Venue 1 – Weekdays, 9:00–18:20, Saturdays, 9:00–16:50Venue 2: Weekdays, 10:00-17:00
  • ・Venue 1 closed on Sundays, public holidays, and from November 22 to 25
  • ・Venue 2 closed on weekends, public holidays, from November 22 to 25
  • ● Gallery talk: Talk 1 — from 14:45, Wednesday, November 28 / Talk 2 — from 13:00, Monday, December 10
  • * Guests will assemble in the Keio University Library exhibition room. Entrance to both venues is free of charge

・Hosts: Keio University Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko), Keio University Art Center (KUAC), Mita Media Center (Keio University Library)
・Contact: Keio University Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko). Tel.: 03-5427-1582
* Venue 1 and Venue 2 are both located on Keio University’s Mita Campus

2018.11.13

English
Brochure

PDF version

Available online

2018.7.30

Future
Learn

Free Online Course 3

"The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books"

Learn about the history, production and design of papers used inside Japanese rare books.

This brand new course is aimed at anyone interested in Japanese rare books and papers. The course will look at the history of papers used inside Japanese rare books, and in other cultures across the world. You’ll learn about the materials and technologies used to produce Japanese papers, particularly the use of traditional washi paper. This course can also be studied alongside two companion courses, Japanese Culture Through Rare Books and Sino-Japanese Interactions Through Rare Books.

Registration for this course through FutureLearn—for the 2nd run—is now open. Visit the following URL to join:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/japanese-book-paper/

FL
2018.7.12

Future
Learn

Free Online Course 2

"Sino-Japanese Interactions through Rare Books"

Understand more about Chinese books, language and culture. Learn about the development of Japanese culture, and explore the connection between books and religion in East Asia.

In our second online course—on UK based MOOC platform: FutureLearn—we’ll examine how big an impact that books brought from China have had in Japan, as well as looking at how books and religion are connected in Japan and East Asia, and the history of publishing in Japan.

Registration for this course through FutureLearn—for the 3rd run—is now open. Visit the following URL to join:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/japanese-rare-books-sino/

FL
2018.7.30

Future
Learn

Free Online Course 1

"Japanese Culture Through Rare Books"

Our first online course "Japanese Culture Through Rare Books" allows you to explore the important roles that books have played in the cultural history of Japan.

This is an introductory course and is open to anyone with an interest in the history of Japanese books. By studying old books, you can learn a great deal about the geographical areas in which they were made, the historical background, and the individuals and groups involved in their making. Using a wealth of multimedia content, we will take a journey through the wonderful world of traditional Japanese book, covering extensive visual materials from the Institute of Oriental Classics collection and the Keio University Library collection.

Registration for this course through FutureLearn—for the 6th run—is now open. Visit the following URL to join:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/japanese-rare-books-culture/

FL