The USC U.S.-China Institute is excited to announce that we are teaming up with Japan Society to offer a special three-part series on Japanese history. Each session highlights a different moment of transformation, giving educators fresh perspectives and ready-to-use resources for the classroom.
- Part 1 - Tradition in Transition: Samurai, Tea, and Culture in Edo Japan
September 22, 2025 4-6pm
Step into Edo Japan and see how samurai, tea rituals, and art adapted as everyday people began shaping cultural life with Morgan Pitelka, Professor of History and Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Part 2 - The Meiji Era: How Japanese Were Doing During 1868–1912
October 4, 2025 10-12pm
Explore Japan’s leap into modernity – how people navigated rapid change, new technologies, and shifting global roles with Professor Mark Jones, who have lectured widely on modern Japanese history at institutions like Harvard and Columbia University.
- Part 3 - Free One-Day Workshop at The Huntington: Japan in Culture and History
November 9, 2025 10am
Spend a day surrounded by Japanese gardens, art, and history. This hands-on workshop dives into U.S.–Japan relations, World War II, and cultural exchange—all with practical classroom connections.
Taken together, these programs trace Japan’s journey from tradition to modernity, while offering educators engaging stories, historical context, and tools to spark curiosity in their students.
✨ The best part? All three seminars are completely FREE AND you receive a FREE BOOK ✨
To all K–12 educators out there, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and lock in your spot. Capacity is limited, and seats are first-come, first-served! Be there or be square!