Routledge Handbook of Japanese Cinema

The Routledge Handbook of Japanese Cinema provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of Japanese cinema, covering a range of topics and approaches through cutting-edge scholarship. It spans 200 years of cinema history, from the nineteenth century to the present, and is divided into four parts: Decentring Classical Cinema, Questions of Industry, Intermedia as an Approach, and The Object Life of Film. It is a valuable resource for students and scholars of Japanese studies, film studies, and cultural studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Routledge Handbook of Japanese Cinema is a comprehensive and timely exploration of the vibrant world of Japanese cinema, offering a cutting-edge perspective through the latest scholarship that embraces the diverse approaches defining the field. Comprising twenty-one chapters authored by scholars with diverse backgrounds and expertise, this handbook reimagines traditional questions of authorship, genre, and industry within broad conceptual frameworks such as gender, media theory, archive studies, and neoliberalism. The volume is organized into four distinct parts, each representing a emerging area of inquiry:

Decentring Classical Cinema: This section delves into the examination of classical Japanese cinema, challenging the traditional narratives and exploring new perspectives.

Questions of Industry: This part examines the complex dynamics of the Japanese film industry, including its historical development, production practices, and distribution strategies.

Intermedia as an Approach: This section explores the intersection of cinema and other media forms, such as animation, video games, and surveillance videos, highlighting the ways in which Japanese cinema has adapted and transformed in the digital age.

The Object Life of Film: This section examines the materiality and aesthetics of Japanese cinema, exploring the role of film objects, production design, and cinematography in shaping the visual and sensory experience of the films.

What sets this handbook apart is its unprecedented temporal scope, spanning a remarkable 200 years of Japanese cinema history. From the vibrant magic lantern culture of the nineteenth century to the formation of the film industry in the twentieth century, and culminating in the cinema's migration to gaming, surveillance video, and other new media platforms of the twenty-first century, this handbook provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of Japanese cinema.

Designed as a valuable resource for students and scholars of Japanese studies, film studies, and cultural studies more broadly, The Routledge Handbook of Japanese Cinema offers a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives that will deepen our understanding of this dynamic and ever-evolving field.

Weight: 730g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367528188