Dr. Toyotaka Ota
Special lecture schedule:
10 May (Wednesday)
13:15-14:45 (H-4, 416): Japanese Lexicon: about the things that don't exist outside Japan
15:15-16:45 (H-4, 416): Public Space in Japanese Culture
11 May (Thursday)
13:15-14:45 (H-4, 205): 100-Year Life Plan
15:15-16:45 (H-4, 205): Ki, a traditional Japanese body hack
17:05-18:35 (H-4, 205): Obscene No More? A kids’ TV show in the sexless ageing society
18:45-20:15 (H-4, 112) : History of Japanese Anime
Notes:
- All the lectures are in English.
- No reservation is required to attend these lectures.
10 May (Wednesday)
13:15-14:45
“Japanese Lexicon: about the things that don't exist outside Japan”
(Room 416, H-4)
There are objects and concepts that exist only in Japan. You may learn the words for these things from a dictionary or online translator, but their nuance will escape translation. In this special lecture, Dr. Ota will explain some of these unique things with visual examples and history, and show how to use them in everyday Japanese conversation. Here are some of the topics that will be discussed:
- Expressions derived from robot anime
- Expressions derived from Japanese folk tales
- Expressions derived from superhero TV shows
- Expressions derived from online bulletin boards and chat
15:15-16:45
“Public Space in Japanese Culture”
(Room 416, H-4)
Dr. Ota will discuss
(1) how the Japanese see public space and how it is different from the perception in Poland;
(2) how the different perceptions and understandings of public space will result in different behaviours in public space in Japan and Poland.
11 May (Thursday)
13:15-14:45
“100-Year Life Plan “
(Room 205, H-4)
Life is getting longer in Japan, and a study claimed that in 2050, the number of people over 100 years old would be more than 1 million. As life gets longer, Japanese people must rethink their life plan to be active longer (to avoid mental degradation), work longer (to cover living expenses) and be healthy longer.
15:15-16:45
“Ki, a traditional Japanese body hack”
(Room 205, H-4)
"Ki" - also known as "Chi" - is roughly defined as a mystical life-force or energy running through the body. In this presentation, Dr. Ota will show what "Ki" is in Japanese culture today and how it works. This presentation will also explain how “Stand” in JoJo and the long-range attacks in Dragon Ball fit within this tradition.
17:05-18:35
“Obscene No More? A kids’ TV show in the sexless ageing society”
(Room 205, H-4)
Japan is rapidly becoming a sexless society. Using some scenes from a children’s TV show, Dr. Ota will discuss what is considered obscene in Japan today and what is not, and what changed.
18:45-20:15
“History of Japanese Anime”
(Room 112, H-4)
Dr. Ota will discuss what makes Japanese anime unique and how it is different from cartoon or 3DCG animation.