The Edo Period (1603-1868) was the longest period of stability in the perennially war-torn Japanese state. The arts flourished as the military class turned itself into peacetime 'meritorious rulers', and the merchant class achieved surplus. Over more than 250 years, these trends conflicted and merged, generating much of what is today regarded as representative of Japanese art and culture.
Date | 23 Feb 2026 (MON), 11:00 - 12:00
Venue | AAB402K (Learning Commons), 4/F, Academic and Administration Building, HKBU
Language | English
Speaker | Prof. Timon Screech (Professor, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Nichibunken)
Moderator | Prof. Radu Leca (Assistant Professor, HKBU SCA AVA)
Registration link | https://forms.office.com/r/pxbvXricME (by 21 FEB)
Enquiry | ava-research@hkbu.edu.hk
<This lecture is CCL-recognized>
On his death in 1616, the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, was deified. This was an extraordinary event, though there were precedents. This lecture will trace the process of deification, how and why it happened, and the shrine-temple-mausoleum complex that was rebuilt - and rebuilt - to form the centre of his worship. It will serve as an example of methodologies for researching Japanese art, including archival work, visual analysis, and interdisciplinary frameworks.
Date | 23 Feb 2026 (MON), 14:00 - 15:30
Venue | CVA 303, 3/F, Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building, HKBU (5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong)
Language | English
Speaker | Prof. Timon Screech (Professor, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Nichibunken)
Moderator | Prof. Radu Leca (Assistant Professor, HKBU SCA AVA)
Registration link | https://forms.office.com/r/tq2xWwjcaQ (by 21 FEB)
Enquiry | ava-research@hkbu.edu.hk
This seminar is designed for MA & PhD students, other students are also welcome to join.
The events are supported by HKBU Research Committee, International Activities Programme (IAP)25/26.