Professor Takahiro Sasaki and others from the Keio Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) will serve as the instructors for the course, which will involve learning about the paper used in books. The content of the first week focuses on learning about the raw materials, manufacturing processes and varieties of washi paper, while in the second rare books held in the inventory of the Shido Bunko will be employed to teach about paper decoration.
The course also offers the opportunity to observe Hosokawa-shi papermaking, which is a nationally important intangible cultural asset and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participants can see the restoration of washi paper books and washi fibers through the inspection of writing paper. The classes are structured so as to both facilitate an understanding and an appreciation of printed materials and an experience of the charms of washi.
The class videos will be in Japanese with English subtitles, while the main text is in English. A PDF of the Japanese version will also be available, and the discussions among those taking the course will be conducted in English. Participation in the online course is free of charge.
* What is FutureLearn?
FutureLearn is an online educational portal hosting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that was launched in 2013 by The Open University in collaboration with 23 world-leading universities, the British Council, the British Museum, and the British Library. Keio University began holding courses on FutureLearn in 2016.
Portal page for "The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books"
Keio University FutureLearn page