May 19, 2025/ 1:00 PM
Greek Japan or, how do we possess a culture?Colloquium with Michael Lucken
Greek Japan. Placed side by side, these two words evoke a sense of strangeness, an impression of a chimera. How can two countries so distant be brought together to form a coherent image? This talk will trace the subtle penetration of classical Greek culture into contemporary Japan. Between the late 19th century and 1945, Japan developed a true passion for ancient Greece. Buddhist sculpture was reinterpreted through the lens of the Greek body, Noh theater was likened to tragedy, and bank architecture reimagined the classical temple. Even today, many manga and animated series draw inspiration from the gods and heroes of Antiquity. The way Japan—despite never having had direct contact with ancient Greece—has integrated this heritage offers a remarkable study case for understanding the broader issue of cultural appropriation.
Michael LUCKEN is professor of Japanese contemporary history at the French National Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures (INALCO). His book, Le Japon grec (Gallimard, 2019), will soon be released in English translation at Cambridge University Press.
Sponsor(s): Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies