• Business Overview
• 2016 Kyoto Studies Lecture “Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage -Japan’s Treasures for the Future-“
• Application
• A special course will be held again this year
• Inquiries

Business Overview

The University Consortium Kyoto has been publishing the results of its research in Kyoto studies as the “Kyoto Studies Course” at Plaza College, which was established in 2001. Since 2009, we have been setting a theme every year from various events related to Kyoto as part of the Kyoto Skills Development Course at Miyako College, a lifelong learning project that opens up the university’s knowledge resources to the community together with Kyoto City. This will be the 16th time the course has been held in 2016.

Kyoto City Collaborative Project

2016 Kyoto Studies Lecture “Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage -Japan’s Treasures for the Future-“

Outline of the event

There are many historical buildings in Kyoto, forming a beautiful cityscape. In addition to the World Heritage Temples, Shrines, and Nijo Castle, there are also the shrine town of Kamigamo, the flower district, and the Okazaki area, which is an important cultural landscape of Japan. Public residences, Kyomachiya, modern architecture since the Meiji era, and buildings of modernization heritage are also alive in various parts of the city. When these tangible buildings are added with intangible human activities such as annual events, festivals, and cooking, the beauty of refined tradition emerges in each of the four seasons. In this series, we will unravel Kyoto’s cultural heritage as a source of Japan for the future.

Date

Saturday, April 30, 2016 ~ Saturday, December 10, 2016 10:00~11:30 (Reception 9:30~)
* A total of 10 basic courses + 2 practical courses (practical courses vary in time and place)
In preparation for the opening of the 2016 Kyoto Studies Course, a special lecture will be held on Saturday, March 12 (no application required, admission is free).

Venue

Campus Plaza Kyoto, 4th Floor, Lecture Room 2
(Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Nishitoin-dori, Shiokoji)

Contents

University Consortium Kyoto Kyoto Skills Training Course Kyoto Studies Course Pamphlet [Click here for details]

1st April 30, 2016 (Sat) “Kamo’s Culture ~After the Ceremony Year Relocation Festival~”

Lecturer: Mr. Yasuhiro Tanaka, Shrine Priest, Kamo Betsurai Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine)
Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University, Director, Institute of Japan Culture

Registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site, the shrine has many cultural heritage buildings, including the main shrine, a national treasure, and more than 70 festivals and events a year, such as the Kamo Festival (Aoi Festival). I believe that the only thing that has been able to inherit them to this day is none other than the system of the “Shikinen Relocation”, which was the 42nd in Heisei 27. After the service of the various palace festivals, I would like to talk to you in detail about the culture of Kamo that I inherited from my predecessors, including visual materials.

Session 2: May 14 (Sat) “Life and Traditions of Kyomachiya”

Lecturer: Setsuko Sugimoto, Executive Director, Naraya Memorial Sugimoto House Preservation Society

The first generation of the Sugimoto family founded the Kyogo clothing merchant Naraya in the 3rd year of Kanho in the Edo period. After that, the family business continued until the end of the Showa era, but in Heisei 4, the Kyomachiya Sugimoto family residence and the culture of the Edo period townspeople nurtured there were transferred to the foundation. The fifth generation passed down the memorandum of life written during the tenpo year, “Saichu Oboe”, and the tradition is still inherited today. In this course, we will touch on the essence of the frugal and tidy lifestyle of the Kyoto merchants of the Edo period, with a focus on food, and consider what we should learn today.

Session 3: Saturday, May 21 “The Charm of Nijo Castle ~ Fusion of Architecture and Barrier Painting”

Lecturer: Seiji Namiki, Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Director, Museum of Arts and Crafts

Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site, is a representative of castle architecture that retains the style of the samurai style of shoin construction in the early 17th century, and is also a treasure trove of barrier paintings by Kano painters who were active from Momoyama to the beginning of the Edo period. And the charm of Nijo Castle is that you can experience the original way of its architecture and paintings. In this lecture, we will introduce the charm of this building, focusing on the relationship between the composition of the rooms of Nijo Castle and the barrier paintings.

4th June 25 (Sat) “The Present and Future of the Gion Festival”

Lecturer: Mr. Yoshihiro Kishimoto, President, Gion Matsuri Sanhō Federation
Dialogue: Toru Yagi, Professor, Faculty of History, Bukkyo University

Two years have passed since the July 24 festival was held for the first time in 49 years, and the Ofunaho was revived for the first time in 150 years. How will the Gion Festival change in the future? We would like to invite Mr. Yoshihiro Kishimoto, who has been newly appointed as the chairman of the Sanhō Federation this year, to talk about the various issues surrounding the Gion Festival and his aspirations for the future of the Gion Festival.

Session 5: July 16 (Sat) “Architectural Culture of Kyoto’s Flower Street”

Lecturer: Eriko Inoue, Associate Professor, Faculty of Home Economics, Kyoto Women’s University

In Kyoto, there are five flower districts: Gion-Kobe, Gion Higashi, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho, and Kamishichiken. In addition to tea houses and yakata (= okiya), there are buildings unique to flower districts such as a kabuki training hall (dance theater), rehearsal facilities (including schools), and inspection boxes. In this lecture, we will introduce these buildings based on a survey of Kyoto’s five flower districts, and consider the architectural culture of flower streets and their raison d’être.

Session 6: September 3 (Sat) “Guide to the Highlights of Western-style Architecture in Kyoto”

Lecturer: Tomoo Kawashima, Professor, Faculty of Contemporary Home Economics, Kyoto Kacho University

The ancient capital of Kyoto has escaped from the war and earthquakes, and many historical buildings remain. Here, we will take up the Western-style architecture of the Meiji Taisho Showa era and explain its characteristics and significance. Beginning with the pseudo-Western-style style of the early Meiji period, we will trace the historical transition from authentic Western-style architecture in the late Meiji period, fusion with secession and Japanese-style design in the Taisho period, and art deco and modern design in the early Showa period. In addition, while discussing architectural types that are not often noted, such as schools, houses, and factories, we will also introduce architects who worked in Kyoto.

Session 7: October 8 (Sat) “Hozu River Descent as a Cultural Heritage Site ~ Aiming for the Selection of Important Cultural Landscapes”

Lecturer: Mr. Tomohachi Toyoda, Representative Director, Hozu River Pleasure Boat Company Association
Dialogue: Norifumi Kawahara, Professor, Faculty of Letters, Ritsumeikan University

In the construction of Heian-kyo, timber was transported using the Hozu River. About 400 years ago, Ryoi Kakukura and Soan opened the river, and firewood and rice were transported by boat. In the Meiji period, with the opening of the Kyoto Railway (now the JR Sagano Line), the means of transportation shifted to railways. On the other hand, the Hozu River rafting has come to attract attention as a tourist resource. I will talk about the tradition of going down the Hozu River and the activities of sailors.

8th October 22 (Sat) “Okazaki’s Cultural Landscape and the Lake Biwa Canal ~ Changes in Land Use in the Okazaki Region over the Kamoto Canal”

Lecturer: Masatoshi Shiraki, Lecturer, Organization for the Promotion of Higher Education, Osaka Prefecture University

We will explain the transition of the landscape of the Okazaki area in modern times, mainly by showing maps and photographs. The significance of the Lake Biwa Canal regulating the land use of the area is significant, and in the late modern period, the area was transformed from a suburban farming village into a festive space representing Kyoto, where villas, factories, museums, zoos, and Heian Jingu Shrine are concentrated. On the other hand, the area still retains some of its characteristics from the early modern period, and since it was not spared from post-war development, it becomes clear that the current Okazaki area is a suburb formed in a mosaic shape.

9th November 12 (Sat) “Japan’s Traditional Soup Stock~Its Deliciousness and Contribution to Health”

Lecturer: Toru Fushiki, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University

Dashi is an important part of the taste of Japan food. However, there are many things that can be called dashi in France, China, and all over the world. The traditional dashi in Japan, for example, is to draw kelp and bonito flakes in a short time so that they do not taste bad. Our commitment to pure umami takes advantage of the deliciousness of the ingredients. While explaining the reasons for the deliciousness of traditional dashi, I would like to clarify the relationship between healthy Japan food and dashi.

No.10 December 10 (Sat) “From the Stage of Shimizu”

Lecturer: Mr. Kiyonori Mori Otowayama Kiyomizudera
Dialogue: Toru Yagi, Professor, Faculty of History, Bukkyo University

Kiyomizu-dera Temple has been hit by more than 10 major fires since its founding, and has been rebuilt each time. During the Onin War, the Gan-Ajojin rebuilt the temple by casting the bell first, rather than the building, with the encouragement of many people. This is a great idea. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is currently undergoing major repairs. History is not simply a continuation of time, but it is only when it breathes the breath of time into it that it creates brilliance.

On-the-job training

In the Kyoto Studies Course, we not only offer lecture-style courses, but also “hands-on courses” in which students can actually experience Kyoto in the field. This hands-on course is as follows.
* Participation in the practical course can only be applied for by Kyoto College students (described later). To apply, please apply to Kyoto College students first, and then we will guide you to apply for a practical course for those who have become Kyoto College students. Please note that if there are many applications, a lottery will be held.

Practical lecture (1) July 22 (Fri) 10:00~11:30 “Gion Matsuri Hare no Hi Tradition” Venue: Important Cultural Property Sugimoto Family Residence

Capacity: 35 people (if there are many applications, a lottery will be held) Participation fee: 1,500 yen

Description: Setsuko Sugimoto, Executive Director, Naraya Memorial Sugimoto House Preservation Society

The Sugimoto family was designated as an important cultural property in Meiji 3 (1870). The location of Yada-cho is a clan town that serves Mt. Hou for the Gion Festival, and the Sugimoto family residence “Shop-no-ma” is open to the public on July 14~16 every year as a decoration place. This tour will be held during the special post-Gion Festival festival, and will explain our family’s relationship with the Gion Festival since the Edo period, the traditions of the annual event in Halle, and the Yamahō drawings by Muramatsu Kagebun (Maruyama Shijo school painter) in the collection.

Practical lecture (2) November 26 (Sat) 12:00~14:00 “Exploring the Essence of Japan Cuisine” Venue: Kyoto Cuisine Manju

Capacity: 45 people (if there are many applications, a lottery will be held) Participation fee: 8,000 yen

Commentary: Mr. Kunikatsu Tamura, Second Generation Master of Kyoto Cuisine Manshige

In the land of Nishijin, where Kyoto’s traditional culture is deeply alive, Kyoto cuisine Manshige was founded in the 12th year of the Showa era. “The spirit of business that we inherit from goodwill is to serve dishes unique to our restaurant that meet the hearts of each and every customer,” says Mr. Kunikatsu Tamura, the second-generation owner, who talks about the real pleasure of Japan cuisine, which has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and we would like you to enjoy the traditional taste.

Application

“Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage ~ Japan’s Treasures for the Future” consists of 10 basic lectures. The basic way to participate in the course is to apply for a total of 10 courses as a Kyoto College student. In addition, only those who have been able to take the two practical courses as Kyoto College students can apply.

◆ Take the course as a Kyoto College student

Fees

10,000 yen (10 sessions)
* Practical courses require a separate fee.

How to apply

Please apply using the application form attached to the Kyoto College Student Recruitment Guide. You can print out the application form for submission from the application form preparation system in the “2016 Application Method” on the Kyoto College Link website below.

Documents to be submitted

(1) 1 copy of application form
(2) 1 photo of Kyoto College membership card (3 cm in length × 3 cm in width)

Reception period

《Mail》Tuesday, March 8, 2016 ~ Saturday, March 19, 2016
* If you want to bring your own, you can bring it at Campus Plaza Kyoto for two days from 10:00 ~ 16:00 on the 18th (Friday) and 19th (Saturday).

Destination

University Consortium Kyoto (in charge of Kyoto College)
Kyoto College Link https://www.consortium.or.jp/project/sg/details

[Note]
1. For details on how to apply, please refer to the Kyoto College Student Recruitment Guide.
2. Please note that if the capacity (250 people) is exceeded, the number of participants will be decided by lottery.
3. Information on whether or not you can attend will be mailed by mid-April. Information on how to apply for the practical course will be enclosed with those who are able to attend.
4. Please refrain from making inquiries about whether or not you can take the course.
5. Please note that once the tuition fee has been paid, it will not be refunded.

◆ When taking one course at a time

* In 2016, the enrollment capacity was satisfied, so it was decided not to take one course at a time. Thank you for your understanding.

◆ About students from the University Consortium Kyoto member schools

Students who fall under (1) and (2) below can take this course free of charge. If you want to participate in the practical course, you need to apply as a Kyoto College student, so please be sure to attach a copy of your student ID card and apply within the deadline.
(1) Students and international students from Kyoto University Consortium member schools (excluding graduate schools, majors, and correspondence courses)
(2) All non-degree students at the Kyoto Study Center, The Open University of Japan
* We have decided not to take one course at a time because the capacity for students has been filled in 2016. Thank you for your understanding.

A special course will be held again this year

On the occasion of the opening of the 2016 Kyoto Studies “Cultural Heritage of Kyoto” course, a special lecture will be held as an opening project. In the special lecture, there will be a lecture by Ms. Takamiko Reizumi, the wife of the Reizumi family, who is descended from the “Uta Sei” of the Heian and Kamakura periods, Fujiwara Toshinari, and the Sadake family, and a dialogue with Professor Toru Yagi of Bukkyo University.
Admission to this commemorative course is free and no registration is required.

Special Lecture Saturday, March 12, 2016

“The god of the city, the Buddha”
Lecturer: Ms. Takamiko Reizumi, Executive Director, Reizumi Family Tokiutei Bunko
(Dialogue) Toru Yagi, Professor, Faculty of History, Bukkyo University

Kyoto’s cultural heritage is famous for its shrines and temples, such as Heian Jingu Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but we must never forget that the common people living in Kyoto cherish the shrines and Mr./Ms. in each town. It is the Shunseisha that enshrines Fujiwara Toshinari. The Mr./Ms. of the Machikado gods and the Buddha Mr./Ms. are small and nameless, but they have a history of being protected by the townspeople for generations. Isn’t this the underlying strength of Kyoto’s culture?

Time: 13:30~15:00 (Doors open at 13:00)
Venue: Campus Plaza Kyoto, 4th floor, Lecture Room 2
Capacity: 250 (first-come, first-served basis)
No application required, free admission

Inquiries

In charge of Kyoto College (Kyoto Studies), Consortium of Universities
〒600-8216 Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Nishitoin-dori, Shiokoji Campus Plaza Kyoto 1st floor
TEL．075-353-9140　FAX．075-353-9121
MAIL: miyakare-ml■consortium.or.jp (Please change ■ to @ and send)
*Reception hours: 9:00~17:00 (excluding Sundays and Mondays)