History of East Asian Art
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course gives to the students a general knowledge of Japanese art history from a historical, linguistic and technical point of view. It offers a reflection on the relations with China, Korea, South Asia and Europe during the centuries. Painting, sculpture, architecture and applied arts will be studied, from pre-historical eras to Edo period and the opening of Japan to Western culture (1868).
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of the Japanese historical-artistic chronology also with reference to China. Basic knowledge of Japanese terms in the historical-artistic field (Eras and periods, movements, schools, artists, techniques, supports) and their correspondent Italian and English terms. Knowledge of Japanese artistic developments in the Asian context. Capacity to express with a language adequate to Japanese art categories and obtainment of the necessary instruments to describe/catalogue Japanese art objects.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to the history of Japanese art in relation to the Asian Are: from the first Capitals to Meiji Era (60 hours, 9 cfu)
-Program for 6 cfu exam (40 hours)
The main period of Japanese art: Nara (710-794), Heian (784-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), Muromachi (1333-1573), Momoyama (1573-1603), Edo (1603-1868)
- Program for 9 cfu exam (60 hours):
The main period of Japanese art: Nara (710-794), Heian (784-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), Muromachi (1333-1573), Momoyama (1573-1603), Edo (1603-1868), Meiji era (1868-1912)
-Program for 6 cfu exam (40 hours)
The main period of Japanese art: Nara (710-794), Heian (784-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), Muromachi (1333-1573), Momoyama (1573-1603), Edo (1603-1868)
- Program for 9 cfu exam (60 hours):
The main period of Japanese art: Nara (710-794), Heian (784-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), Muromachi (1333-1573), Momoyama (1573-1603), Edo (1603-1868), Meiji era (1868-1912)
Prerequisites for admission
Capacity to read and study texts in English. Interest and capacity to assimilate also basic words of this field in Japanese/Chinese languages.
Teaching methods
Lectures with the use of projections in PPT and videos. When possibile lessosn could be integrated with lectures held at Oriental Art Museums in Italy and/or in temporary exhibitions during the period of the courses. Also seminars with curators, artists will be proposed. Calendar and details of activities will be published during the course online and through advises on MyAriel.
Teaching Resources
Mandatory for all (also for not-attending students):
-Mason, Penelope, "History of Japanese Art", Prentice Hall and Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 2005
(Edo period included for the 6 cfu students. Complete volume for 9 cfu students)
Suggested texts (choice of one among the suggested boks):
On Heian period:
- Carpenter, John T., Mc Cormick, Melissa, "The Tale of Genji. A Japanese classic illuminated", New York, THE MET 2019 (pdf online MET website)
On Edo period, ukiyoe :
- Menegazzo R., "Hokusai. The Master's Legacy", Skira 2017
On Edo period, Rinpa:
-T. Carpenter, John, "Designing Nature. The Rinpa Aesthetic in Japanese Art", New York, THE MET 2012 (pdf online MET website)
On Edo-Meiji periods (only for 9 cfu students)
- R. Menegazzo, E. Lanza, "Graphic Japan. Da Hokusai al Manga", Moebius 2025.
-Mason, Penelope, "History of Japanese Art", Prentice Hall and Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 2005
(Edo period included for the 6 cfu students. Complete volume for 9 cfu students)
Suggested texts (choice of one among the suggested boks):
On Heian period:
- Carpenter, John T., Mc Cormick, Melissa, "The Tale of Genji. A Japanese classic illuminated", New York, THE MET 2019 (pdf online MET website)
On Edo period, ukiyoe :
- Menegazzo R., "Hokusai. The Master's Legacy", Skira 2017
On Edo period, Rinpa:
-T. Carpenter, John, "Designing Nature. The Rinpa Aesthetic in Japanese Art", New York, THE MET 2012 (pdf online MET website)
On Edo-Meiji periods (only for 9 cfu students)
- R. Menegazzo, E. Lanza, "Graphic Japan. Da Hokusai al Manga", Moebius 2025.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam in form of questions by the teacher aim to ascertain the comprehension of the concepts and the knowledge of the specific language, the main currents and personalities of Japanese art history, as well as the capacity to analyse a work among those presented during the course. The exam is valued with a mark out of thirty at the end of the discussion with immediate approval.
L-OR/20 - EAST ASIAN ARCHAEOLOGY, ART HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Menegazzo Rossella
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
March 12th at 16.30-17.30 / on all other Thursday 12.30-13.30
via Noto 6 at prof. office, please ask to the reception desk