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V&A Members enjoy free and unlimited entry to all exhibitions, a sought-after programme of Members' events, use of our Members' Rooms, at least 10% off in V&A shops, and much more.
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Arts of Japan (In Person)
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
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Join us at the V&A South Kensington for this 10 week Japanese Art course. Japan is today a leading innovator in the fields of art, craft and design. This course explores the historical roots of diverse traditions, from primitive Shinto to manga and popular culture.
Your bespoke learning experience:
Your bespoke learning experience:
- Ask the experts: Pose your questions directly to V&A experts and subject specialists in our Q&As.
- Behind-the-scenes learning: Access industry insights and learn about how collections are researched, conserved, and interpreted.
- Community of learners: Engage with fellow enthusiasts in a supportive, discussion-rich environment.
- Miss a week? No stress: Access recordings of all your lectures as well as study materials through your secure Microsoft Teams online course environment.
For more details, see V&A Academy online questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Course Director
Dr Helen Glaister
Art Historian Dr Helen Glaister specialises in Chinese Ceramics and Decorative Arts. Before the V&A, she worked at the British Museum and Birkbeck, University of London. Helen was awarded her PhD from SOAS, where she still teaches. Current research focuses collections history, Chinese lacquer and ceramics of the late modern period.
Wonderful speakers talking about the most current thinking and research. Previous V&A Academy Attendee
V&A Academy. A learning environment you can trust.
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Get precious time with incredible exemplars, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Course overview
From the emergence of primitive Shinto in ancient Japan, this course follows the development of Japanese art, craft and design up to the present. The advent of Buddhism exerted a great influence, notably through sculpture, painting, calligraphy, and architecture which developed steadily, becoming the dominant influence on all the arts up to the tenth century.
By the 12th century, the ruling military elite had become important patrons of the arts, evident in the swords, armour, and the warrior aesthetic of the samurai. The culture of the townspeople during the Edo period (1615-1868) transformed concepts of decoration and design, as seen through ukiyo-e prints, fashionable dress, lacquerware, ceramics, and metalware.
Contact with the West, at first limited, had by the nineteenth century opened Japan to new markets and influences, resulting in a great melding of art forms and aesthetics. The engagement of Japan with global currents in architecture and design, fashion and photography shaped the production of innovative art forms at home and abroad up to the present, significantly contributing to emerging technologies and popular culture.
Enrol now
Year course: Arts of Japan (In Person)
19 January 2026 - 23 March 2026
£500.00
Call to book +44 (0)20 7942 2000
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
