This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2026-2027
Teacher(s)
Vielle Christophe (coordinator);
Language
French
Prerequisites
None.
Main themes
Series of conferences on the Far Eastern, Indian or Buddhist world.
The Chair will propose an in-depth analysis of a theme relating to the Far Eastern, Indian and Buddhist world, in its widest sense, in history as well as in the contemporary world.
This theme will change each year, and may treat, without this list being restrictive or exhaustive, religious, philosophical, socio-anthropological, cultural, historical, philological or literary questions.
Established in 1927 thanks to the patronage of Baron Satsuma Jirôhachi, this chair, originally dedicated to Japanese studies, was expanded in 1955 (under the professorship of Msgr. Étienne Lamotte) to include other civilisations of Buddhist Asia.
The Chair will propose an in-depth analysis of a theme relating to the Far Eastern, Indian and Buddhist world, in its widest sense, in history as well as in the contemporary world.
This theme will change each year, and may treat, without this list being restrictive or exhaustive, religious, philosophical, socio-anthropological, cultural, historical, philological or literary questions.
Established in 1927 thanks to the patronage of Baron Satsuma Jirôhachi, this chair, originally dedicated to Japanese studies, was expanded in 1955 (under the professorship of Msgr. Étienne Lamotte) to include other civilisations of Buddhist Asia.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | identify the sources, methods and results, notably in terms of logic and/or structure, of an in-depth analysis of a question relating to the Far Eastern, Indian or Buddhist world, in its widest sense; |
| 2 | reproduce the analyses proposed in the disciplinary production and provide an appropriate summary of them. |
Content
The Satsuma Chair is intimately linked to the exceptional Donation of precious books by Japan to the university, a collection now kept at the Central Library in Louvain-la-Neuve.
The current holder of the Chair, Freya Terryn, japanologist and art historian, in charge of research for the Japan Mirai Fund set up to promote this extraordinary collection of Japanese books, offers a four-year lecture cycle providing a historical and cultural introduction to Japan, illustrated by works from the Donation.
The first year of this four-year cycle, the 2026-2027 Chair, will focus on:
Japanese Narrative Art: how Japan told its stories in text and image, from courtly romance to the popular printed fiction of Edo, by way of war tales and supernatural legends.
Abstract: The 2026-2027 Satsuma Chair explores Japanese narrative art — the long tradition that combines text and image to tell a story — from courtly romances and epic war tales, through legends populated by monsters and supernatural phenomena, to the mass-produced illustrated fiction of the Edo period. Drawing on original works held in UCLouvain's Japanese Donation, students will discover how narrative art shaped the ways stories were told, read, and shared throughout Japanese history — and how this same tradition of visual storytelling survives today in manga and anime, among Japan's most widely recognized cultural exports.
The current holder of the Chair, Freya Terryn, japanologist and art historian, in charge of research for the Japan Mirai Fund set up to promote this extraordinary collection of Japanese books, offers a four-year lecture cycle providing a historical and cultural introduction to Japan, illustrated by works from the Donation.
The first year of this four-year cycle, the 2026-2027 Chair, will focus on:
Japanese Narrative Art: how Japan told its stories in text and image, from courtly romance to the popular printed fiction of Edo, by way of war tales and supernatural legends.
Abstract: The 2026-2027 Satsuma Chair explores Japanese narrative art — the long tradition that combines text and image to tell a story — from courtly romances and epic war tales, through legends populated by monsters and supernatural phenomena, to the mass-produced illustrated fiction of the Edo period. Drawing on original works held in UCLouvain's Japanese Donation, students will discover how narrative art shaped the ways stories were told, read, and shared throughout Japanese history — and how this same tradition of visual storytelling survives today in manga and anime, among Japan's most widely recognized cultural exports.
Teaching methods
The Chair consists of four two-hour lectures, illustrated with original works from UCLouvain's Japanese Donation.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation of the student is based on a written work, whose exact subject and modalities will be fixed by the holder of the Chair.
Other information
Session dates:
- Wednesday, March 17, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 24, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 7, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 14, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Online resources
Provided by the holder of the Chair.
Bibliography
Fournie par le titulaire de la Chaire./ Provided by the holder of the Chair.
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Political Sciences: International Relations
Master [120] in Ancient Languages and Literatures: Oriental Studies
Master [60] in Ancient Languages and Literatures : Oriental Studies
Master [60] in Political Sciences: General
Master [120] in Political Sciences: General