Seton Hall exists as part of a global society made up of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Japan Week 2005, which takes place Monday, April 4, through Friday, April 8, is a week-long series of events sponsored by the Department of Asian Studies’ Japanese Program that allows members of the University community to come together to learn more about the Japanese culture. Programs such as the Fifth Annual Kite Contest, films about Japanese history and customs, a traditional tea ceremony and a Japanese calligraphy workshop are a few ways for individuals to immerse themselves in a unique way of life. (See Coming Attractions for event details.)

Concluding Japan Week 2005 is the Eighth Annual Graduate Student and School Teacher Symposium on Japanese Studies, which begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 8. The morning sessions will take place in Walsh Library, Beck Rooms; the afternoon sessions, beginning at 1:10 p.m., will take place in Kozlowski Hall, Room 141.

The theme of this year’s symposium is “Japanese Studies: Friendship, Solidarity and World Peace.” Shigeru Osuka, Ed.D., associate professor of Asian studies and director of the Japanese Program, says the title conveys the idea of building community through human wisdom.

“The symposium encourages a better relationship between secondary and higher education institutions and provides an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of Japanese culture and society,” Osuka explains. “It enables the creation of a dialogue conducive to cooperative learning, and participants in the symposium become potential role models as well as effective leaders in establishing relationships between Japan and the United States.”

In addition to presenting awards to secondary education teachers who have excelled at teaching about the Japanese language, history, society and culture, the schedule of events includes a keynote address, panel discussions and the honoring of Mary Balkun, Ph.D., chair of the English department, as the recipient of the Japan Week Service Award.

Keynote speaker Frank L. Chance, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, will give an address titled “Ukiyo-asobi: Play in the Floating World.” As a scholar of early modern Japanese art, Chance will speak about the history of Japanese woodblock prints created from 1650 through 1868. The prints represent “play,” such as children’s toys, seasonal recreations, competitive games and professional sports, in the ukiyo, or the “floating world” of urban pleasure.

There will be three panel discussions:

• “Demythologize Ancient Japan and Culture”
  at 9:35 a.m.,
• “Current Japanese Culture in Global Society”
  at 1:10 p.m. and
• “History of Modern Japan and International Relations” at 2:05 p.m.

Renowned scholars, experts and historians will exchange ideas at each of the approximately hour-long panel sessions.

Registration for the symposium begins at 9 a.m. Refreshments will be served in the morning. For more information on the symposium or Japan Week 2005, contact Osuka at (973) 275-2712 or osukashi@shu.edu .

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