Possibilities and Challengesof Interdisciplinary Cooperation andCollaborationin Japanese Studies
The case of the Kuzushiji seminarat the University of Helsinki by Nagoya University

2019 EAJRS, Sofia, Bulgaria
Yuki Hata, Nagoya University
Rie Fuse, University of Helsinki1Today’s contents
1. Introduction: Background of this interdisciplinary cooperation
2. The project of Nagoya University
3. The empirical study: Interdisciplinary seminar planning work for the Kuzushiji
seminar at the UH by NU
4. Opportunities and problems of interdisciplinary cooperation in teaching andtasks for the future
5. References21. Introduction : Background of this interdisciplinary cooperation
Our encounter at the EAJRS Conference 2018
-Hata and Fuse’s encounter in 2018 at the EAJRS Conference in Kaunas
Through Ms. Naomi Yabe (Oslo University), we started to consider thepossibility of a Kuzushiji seminar at the UH.

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1. Introduction : Background of this interdisciplinary cooperation
Kuzushiji seminar at the University of Helsinki by Nagoya University
Content:
8.10. Yuki Hata “Introduction to kuzusjihi (hentai-gana)” 38 participants
9.10. Mayumi Tsuda “Japanese books through the collection in the Finnish National Library”
28 participants
10.10. Toru Ishikawa “Picture books and picture scrolls in Japan” 29 participants
11.11. Takahiro Sasaki “History of books and illustrations in Japan” 56 participants

https://courses.helsinki.fi/en/kim-aa306/130602124
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1. Introduction: theoretical perspective and method
Purpose of this study:-A literature survey of previous studies on interdisciplinary cooperation in Japanese studies
Presentation of the process of seminar planning work (the case of Kuzushiji seminar at the UH byNU)
Discussion of the role of interdisciplinary education in the production of new knowledge, related
issues of assessment and institutional capacity

Theoretical perspective of this study:
The interdisciplinary approach integrates separate disciplinary data, methods, tools, concepts, andtheories in order to create a holistic view or common understanding of a complex issue, question, orproblem (Bruun, Hukkinen, Huutoniemi and Klein, 2005, p.28).

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2. The project of Nagoya University- Funding by the JSPS (日本学術振興会)“Building a network in Europe through cutting-edge research on Japanese
picture books from the late Muromachi to the Edo period: the Nara e hon, andthe Edo period illustrated manuscripts”「室町後期から江戸期の絵写本・版本研究を通じた日本学研究と西欧とのネットワーク構築」- Responsible persons
Nobuhiro Ito (Sugiyama Jogakuen University)
Kensuke Chikamoto (Nagoya University)- Major bases
Nagoya, Strasbourg, Heidelberg- Tenure
October 2017 to March 20207

2. The project of Nagoya University- Purposes of the projectTo establish a network of Japan studies between Japan and Europe whileclarifying the universal significance and historical or social functions ofJapanese materials.
- The Kuzushiji seminar
Four Japanese postdocs will be dispatched to Europe to hold the seminar.
To help students, researchers, librarians and other local people involved inJapanese studies learn how to decipher kuzushiji.
→ We use Japanese materials in the local collection as teaching materials.

83. Planning process

In the NU project, the activities in the UH were not included in the original plan.
→ Holding a Kuzushiji seminar in Northern Europe is considered to be the resultof the exchange with those interested in Japan studies.
● Through the Kuzushiji seminar in France and Germany● At the EAJRS Conference

93. Planning process
9. 2018 Encounter at the EAJRS Conference
Hata asked Profs. Ito and Chikamoto about the possibility of holding theseminar in Finland.
10. 2018 Fuse asked her colleage at the UH about this possibility.
Hata and Fuse started to discuss the details of the possibility.
Lecturers were selected from those involved in the NU project.

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3. Planning process
11. 2018 Hata and Fuse discussed funding for the seminar.
- The travelling and living expenses of the lecturers would be paid by NU.
- The fee for the venue and printing materials would be covered by the UH.
Fuse explored the possibility of holding a meeting with Hata, who was in
Strasbourg, to hold a seminar at the EFEO.
12. 2018 Hata and Fuse continued to discuss the content and schedule.
It was decided that the seminar would be held in the fall for one week in
Helsinki, followed by a one-day seminar in Oslo and Bergen.
113. Planning process
01. 2019 Hata returned to Japan.
03. 2019 Hata and Fuse convened their meeting in Paris.
- We discussed the seminar content, exchanging information about students orlecturers regarding the seminar.
- We visited the Kuzushiji seminar at the EFEO by Misaki Suematsu (NU).
The date for the seminar at the UH was decided for the second week ofOctober.
04. 2019 Hata and Fuse continued to discuss the content and schedule.
A salary for the interpreter was arranged by Tero Salomaa, who curated the12catalogue of the Japonica collection at the Finnish National Library.

3. Planning process
08. 2019 The poster informing about the seminar was made.
09. 2019 Registration for participants of the seminar started.
10. 2019 The Kuzushiji seminar will be held.
The seminar will be held at the UH (8-11.Oct. 2019)
the University of Oslo (14. Oct. 19)
the University of Bergen (16. Oct. 19)

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4. Opportunities--To use Japanese Studies materials in the pre-modern period, not only as
resources for learning Japanese history and culture, but also for learning thecontemporary Japanese language
To provide more attention to and interest in materials from the local
archives of the seminar location
To contribute to research at the Japanese universities on the current
situation of European universities
To participate in the collaborative assessment of students
To cooperate with the local communities related to Japanese studies
To open up new networks
To collaborate in research (as in the case of Hata and Fuse)
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4. Problems-Negotiating the time schedule
Differences in university culture between Japan and Finland
Division of the coordinators’ workload
The coordinators’ lack of knowledge of each field
Lack of previous studies and materials

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4. Tasks for the future-

More financial resources
A lack of previous studies and materials on cases of interdisciplinary
cooperation between different disciplines within Japanese studies
Theoretical question: What does “a discipline” mean for Japanese studies?

16Thank you for listening to our presentation! Yuki & RieReferences:Bruun, H., J. Hukkinen, K. Huutoniemi, and J. Thompson Klein (2005)
Promoting Interdisciplinary Research: The Case of the Academy of Finland, Helsinki: Academy of Finland.
Inaga, Shigemi (2017) 稲賀繁美
「特集 日本研究の過去・現在・未来
pp.73-83.

『国際日本研究』の現状と課題: 機関としての日文研の運営との関連で」『日本研究』55巻,

Masui, Yuko and Kazuaki Yamamoto (2015)「特集 古典籍資料の最前線 国文学研究資料館・日本語の歴史的転籍のデータベース構築について」『情報の科学と技術』65巻4号, pp.169-175.
Mitsubishi Research Institute (三菱総合研究所) (2012)
学際研究とその評価, 国による研究開発の推進大学・公的研究機関を中心に, 国立国会図書館
Ushida, Eiki (2019)
Reflection of Interdisciplinary Education Seminar: Interdisciplinary Education at Okayama
University. Bulletin of Center for Teacher Education and Development, Okayama: Okayama
University, vol. 9.

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