Abe no Seimei is a figure surrounded by myth, from his rumored kitsune bloodline to his powers of divination. How much was true? Join us for a look at Japan's most famous onmyouji in fact and fiction.
Description:
Unlike his Western corollary Merlin, Abe no Seimei was a real person with a life recorded in court and legal documents. Learn who he really was and how many of the fantastic deeds attributed to him might be real in this study of his life and times.
We love our Chinese dramas, even with (especially for?) their flaws! Join us for our favorite gaffes, marketing stunts, production disasters, and behind-the-scenes nonsense from the world of C-dramas.
Description:
When any production cuts corners, the results can be unintentionally hilarious. As the world's most prolific producer of live action dramas, China's television industry has no shortage of examples! We've curated a selection of "oops" moments and behind-the-scenes stories from dramas big and small. (Your fave may be on the list!)
From Dragon Ball to Jackie Chan, there have been countless adaptations of the world's most popular folk tale! Learn the true history that inspired the stories, the legends, and the 16th-century novel.
Description:
Though less ubiquitous in Western culture, the Journey to the West story is thought to be the widest-known cultural tale in the world. Many modern adaptations take their inspiration from the 16th-century novel, but the stories themselves date back nearly a thousand years earlier -- and were based on real events. We'll examine the historical and cultural context for the novel and the lore it collected, plus take a look at modern adaptations including cinematic blockbusters, McDonald's Happy Meal toys, video games, and even K-pop hits!
With its limited phonetic syllabary, the Japanese language is built for puns and double meanings! Come enjoy some of our favorite Japanese plays on words, from dad jokes to advertising slogans.
Description:
We'll also share examples from anime, manga, and pop culture.
The First Superhero: A History of The Scarlet Pimpernel
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Long before Zorro or Batman, a colorful crusader with a secret identity revolutionized the world of adventure fiction. Learn the origin story of this seminal hero and the woman who created him.
Description:
Plus (time permitting) see rare antique Scarlet Pimpernel memorabilia from a local collector's archives!
Welcome to the Jianghu: An Introduction to Chinese Fantasy Drama
Summary:
Cultural context can help you more fully enjoy Chinese media! Well cover the history of the wuxia & xianxia genres, Confucianism, censorship, fantasy tropes, Daoism, & more.
Description:
More than half the worlds TV dramas are produced in China, with some titles achieving international mainstream popularity. Dont miss out on this global phenomenon! This overview of the wuxia and xianxia genres will give you the necessary background and cultural context to enjoy these hit films and TV shows to the fullest. Well cover topics from Confucianism to censorship, from fantasy tropes to forms of addressand throw in some of our recommendations as well!