In this course we will explore the unique insights that an ethnographic approach offers into the workings of Japanese society on the ground and sometimes behind the scenes. We will do so through reading and discussing ethnographic texts focusing on people from a range of sections of Japanese society. We will consider what these people’s experiences tell us about the ideas of gender and gender roles, family, nation and multiculturalism, ageing and youth, work and leisure, relationship between human and non-human entities, the body, intimacy, religion and secularism, and so on.

Apart from the thematic focus, the emphasis of this course will be twofold: on the strengths and weaknesses of an ethnographic approach in representing a society; and on how fieldwork, writing and theory come together in the production of an ethnographic text. We will use a mix of English and Japanese language materials and will practice writing book reviews and essays. Students will be required to read the assigned material, take turns in making presentations and in leading the discussion.

For BA students, this course is integrated with two weekly lessons on methods in Japan Studies.