Okeiko
Study & Practice

Courses at W&L

Literature in Translation 223 (3) - Food and Tea in Japan - topical description - This seminar explores the distinct theme of food and tea in Japanese culture and literature. We examine three broad categories throughout the term; kaiseki, bento, and common fare. In addition to three hours of lecture, this unique course requires a "cultural lab" where students master the rudimentary procedure of the tea ceremony in the new Japanese tea room in the Watson Pavilion. (GE3) Ikeda
 

Art 390 (3) - Arts of the Tea Ceremony - topical description - Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Understanding the Japanese tea ceremony and the role it has played in traditional Japan is a gateway to understanding many aspects of Japanese culture today. This course examines the arts that have entered into and emerged from the evolution of the tea ceremony: teahouse architecture and garden design; ceramics, lacquer, and other media used for the various tea utensils; painting and calligraphy; and flower arranging. We read literature about tea ceremony, discuss the philosophies and rituals that have affected it, and try to understand its role in and impact on Japanese culture then, and now. A lecture series coincides with the dedication of the new tea room in the Watson Pavilion where various demonstrations and "hands-on" opportunities occur, as they can be arranged. (GE4) O'Mara

For additional information about Chinese and Japanese Language and Literatures courses, please go to the department of East Asian Languages and Literatures by following this link http://eall.wlu.edu