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Visualizing Tokyo's Modern Transformation
Discover the cultural transformation and urban development of Japan's capital through historical artistic series depicting iconic views of Tokyo's landscape.
Discover the cultural transformation and urban development of Japan's capital through historical artistic series depicting iconic views of Tokyo's landscape.
This course examines Tokyo's modernization from the 1870s to the 1930s through artistic renderings, particularly the "100 views" tradition. Students analyze woodblock prints and visual sources to understand the city's evolution from Edo to Japan's cosmopolitan capital. The course covers Western influences, natural disasters, cultural changes, and the shift towards ultranationalism, offering insights into Tokyo's history and urban development.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Analyze the "100 views" tradition in Japanese art and its depiction of Tokyo
Trace Tokyo's transformation from Edo to a modern capital through visual sources
Examine the impact of Westernization on Tokyo's urban landscape and culture
Investigate how artists portrayed technological and social changes in their works
Develop skills in reading and interpreting visual primary sources
Understand the methods used by scholars in creating digital humanities projects
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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Module Description
This course offers a unique perspective on Tokyo's modernization through the analysis of visual art, particularly the "100 views" tradition of woodblock prints. Students explore how artists captured the city's transformation from the late Edo period through the Meiji Restoration and into the early 20th century. The curriculum covers key historical events, cultural shifts, and urban developments that shaped modern Tokyo. Learners engage with visual primary sources to understand the impact of Westernization, technological advancements, and political changes on the cityscape and daily life. The course also introduces methods used by scholars and curators to develop online content and exhibitions, enhancing students' skills in visual analysis and digital archiving.
Fee Structure
Instructors
4 Courses
Renowned Historian Revolutionizing Japanese Studies and Visual History
John W. Dower, born June 21, 1938, in Providence, Rhode Island, has established himself as one of America's foremost historians specializing in modern Japanese history and U.S.-Japan relations. As Professor Emeritus at MIT, his scholarly work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of post-World War II Japan and Pacific War relations.
1 Course
Pioneering Digital Media Artist and Visual History Innovator
Ellen Sebring, PhD, has established herself as a transformative figure in digital humanities as the Creative Director of MIT's Visualizing Cultures project since its founding in 2002. Her multifaceted career spans art, design, and new media research, including significant roles as a Fellow at MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies and Post-Doctoral Associate at Duke University. Her innovative work includes collaborating with 28 scholars on over 50 content units, reaching more than 60,000 monthly visitors through the Visualizing Cultures platform. She has led the development of groundbreaking online courses, including the award-winning "Visualizing Japan" series, which has enrolled over 32,000 students. Her recent achievements include co-authoring the first history of CAVS and developing "March 1900," a virtual reality project exploring enhanced archival interaction. As lead developer for multiple MOOCs, including "Visualizing Imperialism & the Philippines" and "Visualizing the Birth of Modern Tokyo," she has pioneered new approaches to digital-native historical scholarship. Her research focuses on developing relational grammar of images and digital authoring tools that transcend traditional text-based historical format
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Frequently asked questions
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