Japan studies facts for kids

Japanese studies, also called Japanology, is a field where people learn all about the history and culture of Japan. It's like a big school subject that covers many different parts of Japanese life. In places like North America, it's usually called Japanese studies. In Europe, people often use the name Japanology.

This field helps us understand Japan better. It looks at how Japan has changed over time and what makes its culture special.

Japanology includes studying many interesting things, such as:

• The Japanese language, which is spoken by millions of people.
• Japanese calligraphy, the beautiful art of writing.
• All about Japanese culture, including traditions and daily life.
• Stories about Japanese gods and goddesses.
• The long and exciting history of Japan.
• Amazing Japanese literature, like books and poems.
• Different forms of Japanese art, from paintings to sculptures.
• The unique Music of Japan.
• Popular Japanese comics called Manga.
• Japanese animated shows and movies known as Anime.
• How science and technology have grown in Japan.

The idea of studying Japan in this way started a long time ago. It began with the Dutch people at a trading post called Dejima in Nagasaki during the Edo period (a time when Japan was ruled by shoguns).

Later, in 1872, a group called the Asiatic Society of Japan was formed in Yokohama. This group really helped to encourage more people to study Japan.

Famous People Who Studied Japan

Many smart people have spent their lives studying Japan. They are called Japanologists. Here are some of them:

• Edwin O. Reischauer
• Edward Seidensticker
• Ruth Benedict
• Lafcadio Hearn
• Donald Keene
• Helen Hardacre
• Francis Xavier
• Ernest Mason Satow
• Richard Ponsonby-Fane

Places Around the World That Study Japan

Many universities and centers around the world have special programs to study Japan. These places help students and researchers learn more about the country. Some famous ones include:

• University of Virginia Japanese Text Initiative
• Harvard University - Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies
• University of California, Berkeley - Center for Japanese Studies
• Columbia University - The Center for Japanese Legal Studies
• Oxford University - Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies
• School of Oriental and African Studies - The Japan Research Centre and Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures
• Leiden University - Japanese Languages and Cultures
• Universitas Indonesia - Japanese Area Studies Program

Groups for Japanese Studies Overseas

There are also groups and associations that bring together people who study Japan from different countries. They help share new ideas and research.

• European Association for Japanese Studies
• British Association for Japanese studies
• The Society for Japanese Studies (United States)

Related pages

• Bushido
• Oriental studies

See also

In Spanish: Japonología para niños