Step off Japan’s crowded tourist trails and onto the timeless pathways of the Nakasendō. This virtual journey explores the transformative “one street over” philosophy, the art of choosing quiet lanes and country inns to glimpse the flow of daily life. Following an illustrated guidebook from the 19th Century, a comedic novel from the same era, Hiroshige's woodblock prints, and modern and contemporary literature, discover how ancient highways still connect mountain villages whose residents are eager to share their traditions. Walking Japan’s historic routes can deepen your understanding of the rural communities that sustain the nation’s cultural heart.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

Online

COURSE RESOURCES

• 1)    Handout provided by John McBride about the Kiso Meishozue (Illustrated Guide to the Kiso Road (Nakasendo), 1805) and the Zoku Hizakurige (Continuing Tales of Shanks Mare, serialized between 1810-1822). 2)    Hiroshige and Eisen Woodblock Prints: 69 Stations of the Kisokaido (Nakasendo): available to view at https://www.hiroshige.org.uk/Kisokaido_Road/Kisokaido_Road.htm 3)    Shank's Mare: A Translation of the Tokaido Volumes of Hizakurige: Japan's Great Comic Novel of Travel and Ribaldry.  Available on Kindle for approx A$9 4)    “Kissa by Kissa” by Craig Mod – John will provide some excerpts 5)    “Walking the Kiso Road: A modern-day exploration of old Japan”, by William Scott Wilson (available on kindle for A$23 6)    “Before the Dawn” by Shimazaki Tōson – John will provide some exerpts

COURSE OUTLINE

• Introduction to the Nakasendo
• Introduction to the 3 main historic resources we will use to explore the Nakasendo: Kiso Meishozue (Illustrated Guide to the Kiso Road), Zoku Hizakurige (Continuing Tales of Shank’s Mare), Hiroshige woodblock prints “69 Stations of the Kisokaido”
• Post-towns

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Enjoy virtually travelling the Kiso Way (Nakasendo), the most famous hiking trail in Japan using classical, modern, and contemporary literature and art.