Presentation Schedule
Between Life and Aesthetics: Understanding Marginal Landscapes Through Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees (Sakura) (100777)
Session Chair: Sharon Mirchandani
Sunday, 4 January 2026 13:05
Session: Session 3 (Parallel)
Room: Hawaii Convention Center: Room 305B
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The concept of "marginal landscape" is inspired by the term "marginal art," proposed by Japanese philosopher Shunsuke Tsurumi, and stands in contrast to the idea of "pure art." Applying the framework of marginal art to landscapes highlights the social and human contexts often lost when landscapes are formalized or aestheticized. Once a landscape is beautified and recognized as pure art, it tends to become detached from the everyday human activities and environments that originally shaped it. Although many pure landscapes originate from marginal ones, the process of aesthetic elevation often obscures these roots.
Historically, pure landscapes have been preserved through cultural expressions—such as poetry and painting—produced by well-known artists. These works shaped public appreciation and helped promote preservation. In contrast, marginal landscapes, discovered by anonymous individuals and closely linked to lived experience, have received little attention because they were not created with artistic or aesthetic intentions. Consequently, preservation efforts for such landscapes have often been limited or overlooked.
This study re-evaluates marginal landscapes through the lens of marginal art, using cherry blossoms (sakura)—a symbolic landscape element in Japan—as a case study. Although now celebrated as a cultural and aesthetic icon, many sakura landscapes have roots in marginal contexts. Methodologically, this research investigates marginal landscapes using historical sources such as traditional calendars, almanacs, collections of proverbs, folk songs, and local histories. In contrast, the study of pure landscapes draws on sources such as poetry and illustrated maps.
Authors:
Ran Kamiyama, Toyo University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ran Kamiyama is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Toyo University in Japan
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