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  • Design and Society in Modern Japan: An Introduction

Teasley, Sarah, 2017, Journal Article, Design and Society in Modern Japan: An Introduction Review of Japanese Culture and Society, 28 (none). pp. 1-50. ISSN 0913-4700

Abstract or Description:

Introduction to a special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Review of Japanese Culture and Society. The introduction, which draws on the expertise and knowledge of the three co-authors in modern art history (Adriasola), social history of design (Teasley) and spatial design studies (Traganou), sets out research questions, challenges and opportunities for studying the relationship between design and society in Japan, 1900-2015, looking both historically and at contemporary practice. The introduction intends to introduce current concepts of design as social practice to historians and other arts, humanities and social science scholars of Japan, and to demonstrate how a perspective that sees social spaces and networks as 'designed', and that views design and architecture practice and products as valid, valuable examples of historical conditions, can enable humanities scholars to engage more effectively with research into modern and contemporary Japanese culture and society. The introduction also offers an overview of key historical developments and conditions for design as an industry, profession and product in Japan, c. 1900-present day. It ends by challenging scholars who engage with design in Japan to address questions around gender, class and other determinants of power relations, and to understand design as an expanded practice, beyond the outdated, inaccurate and limiting view of design that persists within Japanese studies.

Contributors:
ContributionName
AuthorAdriasola, Ignacio
AuthorTraganou, Jilly
Official URL: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/668013/pdf
Subjects: Other > Eastern > T200 Japanese studies > T230 Japanese Society and Culture studies
Other > Historical and Philosophical studies > V100 History by period > V140 Modern History
Other > Historical and Philosophical studies > V200 History by area > V290 History by Area not elsewhere classified
Other > Historical and Philosophical studies > V300 History by topic > V320 Social History
Other > Historical and Philosophical studies > V300 History by topic > V360 History of Architecture
Other > Historical and Philosophical studies > V300 History by topic > V370 History of Design
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies
School or Centre: School of Arts & Humanities
Identification Number or DOI: doi.org/10.1353/roj.2016.0021
Date Deposited: 18 Oct 2017 12:41
Last Modified: 09 Nov 2018 15:48
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/2888
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