Nostalgia in Tokyo 4 - Narratives in Nostalgia

By University of Tokyo

University of Tokyo Humanities Center

Play equipment in Kirigaoka Shopping StreetOriginal Source: MATSUDA Akira

Nostalgia is emerging in Asian cities as a response to dizzying rates of modernisation. This story, comprising 5 parts featuring short videos, seeks to uncover what nostalgia does and how nostalgia is mobilised in Tokyo.
 
Part 4 of the story explores Narratives in Nostalgia.

Asakusa Underground Shopping StreetOriginal Source: LEE Kah Hui

Nostalgia and narrative often intertwine in their influence on society. Establishing meaningful connections between distinct events, actors, motivations and actions, narrative affects how people process and internalise information, and in turn can shape attitudes and behaviours.

Sensoji TempleOriginal Source: MATSUDA Akira

The next video explores the relationship between narrative and nostalgia through the example of Asakusa, a district home to many of the oldest urban spaces in Japan. Some food for thought: was this narrative a nostalgic response where sentiments and feelings towards Asakusa are recruited and mobilised in the present? Does the narrative of ‘the oldest’ then work to trigger nostalgic sentiments towards Asakusa?

Continue to the final Part 5

Credits: Story

Courtesy of:
Hanayashiki Co., Ltd
Asakusa Nakamise Kaikan

Movie production:
Videography OSADA Isamu
Video Editing UEGAKI Yasuko
Director YAMADA Leo

The research project "The Future of Asia" of the University of Tokyo Humanities Center
LEE Kah Hui
MATSUDA Akira
    
Copyright © University of Tokyo Humanities Center

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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