Ellis Tinios
I-95: Hokusai & Book Illustration, 1800–1879
28 October–1 November
Detailed Course Evaluation
1) How useful were the pre-course readings? Did you do any additional preparations in advance of the course?
1: No. Not particularly. I would have liked a biography of Hokusai and more scholarly pieces interpreting his significance. 2: Very helpful. 3: Very useful. Auditing an Edo period art history course with readings. 4: Excellent. 5: Very useful. 6: The pre-course readings complimented the classes and what was covered. Much needed when you’re working with the real object in class. 7: I had no previous background to Japanese woodblock print. The pre-course material was informative and very readable. 8: The pre-course readings were very useful and helpful to attend the class. 9: The required readings are quite a large amount of reading but it’s worth it and pleasure to have them for my own fine reference books.
2) Were the course workbook and other materials distributed in class appropriate and useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?
1: Everything, this is a wellspring of information. I will take months (or longer) to digest. 2: Yes—appropriate and useful. 3: Yes they were appropriate and will be useful in the future. 4: Great and I use them all the time. 5: Very good, will keep and use. 6: Extremely useful and a wonderful starting point for me and the collection that I work with. 7: The material was helpful during class and will be extremely helpful when I get home as I search for references which will extend understanding. 8: Yes. 9: Fine.
3) Have you taken one or more RBS courses before? If so, how did this course compare with your previous coursework?
1–2: No. 3: This course was excellent in every way—just as the previous course was.
4: Have taken several RBS courses on western […] and that is my third from Tinios each one is better than the last. 5: No. 6: Yes—Rare Book Cataloging. The opportunity to work with the original materials was incredible! 7: This is my first, but will lead to other courses. 8: Yes. The one with ET in 2009. The course was appropriate as a continuation of the previous class and theme of Hokusai more matched my liking. 9: As exciting and resourceful as last one. I am very happy to have a chance to attend.
4) What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes?
1: The survey of every printed page of such a broad range of material. 2: Understanding the difference between formats, detailed attention to the finer points of the pictures, deeper appreciation of the artistry. 3: Learning more about Hokusai in the context of the book trade, Edo period culture. Also learning about bibliographic information for Edo books. 4: All were relevant. 5: Looking at various editions and printings of books. 6: The day-to-day lectures, the readings, the people in the class, Reiko Yoshimura (RY), ET &c. were all invaluable—discussions during class, breaks, and lunches helped a great deal. 7: The range of books available to view, the extensive knowledge of ET, and the contributions of the other students. 8: Seeing the actual images on the pages and looking at the physical books along with the scholastic information were the great experience and satisfaction. 9: All the components of the course benefited me but by all means. Looking at the fine collection of books at the Freer and Sackler Gallery with ET’s commentary.
5) Did the instructor(s) successfully help you to acquire the information, knowledge, and skills that the course was intended to convey? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?
1–2: Yes. 3: Yes, and yes. 4: Instruction was excellent, participation by fellow students best of any RBS course I have taken. 5: Yes. Level was just right. 6: Whatever you’re paying ET and RY isn’t enough. The course readings, the notebook, bibliography, hands-on work—all were extremely helpful. Appropriate intellectual level. 7: More than I expected. The intellectual level was high and stimulating. A fantastic class! 8: Yes, and yes. 9: Absolutely.
6) What did you like best about the course?
1: The countless hours spend examining and discussing original materials. 2: Access to materials, instructor’s expertise, friendliness of staff and group members. 3: The instructor student input and comments. 4: […] Teaching, the welcome from Freer/Sackler and the […] to look at […] much rare material. 5: Seeing the books, lectures putting them into context. 6: Working with the original books, prints and drawings was like having a gold coin—truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. 7: Being able to see the actual books with multiple copies for comparison. The presentation style, the entire class interactions. 8: Being in the vault and looking at the books. 9: All.
7) How could the course have been improved?
1: Chairs with backs. 3: Nothing. 5: More days?! 7: Nothing in area of course range and materials. The S/F gallery and staff went out of their way to make it a pleasant, enlightening experience. The setting was uncomfortable but very forgivable within the setting. 9: As it is.
8) Did you learn what the course description/advertisement indicated you would learn? Additional comments optional. Y/N
1–7: Yes. 8: Yes. Meeting with various field of people in the coffee breaks was very nice. 9: Yes.
9) Did you learn what you wanted in the course? Additional comments optional. Y/N
1–5: Yes. 6: Yes and more! 7–8: Yes. 9: Yes. And more skill of how to understand the history, significance of publishers, artists, regulations all balance.
10) How do you intend to use or apply the knowledge or skills learned in this course?
1: ET was very helpful in directing me to images useful for a research project on whaling. 2: Incorporate into a new class offering. 3: To work with faculty, collection development, digitization projects. 4: […] in my avocation as a collector and in understanding the […] in the object. 5: Help in building my collections. 6: Go back and go through our collection of materials and plan more exhibits! 7: I am retired, my personal enjoyment and appreciation. 8: It will be a great asset to my book study and art work. Thank you very much. 9: For my own collection of books, research, catalogue making.
11) If your course left its classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?
1: N/A. 2: Yes. 3: N/A. 6: N/A. 7: Yes, our two meals together gave us time to discuss our experience, training and share knowledge related to work, previous courses, books, classes. 9: Yes.
12) If you attended the evening events (e.g., RBS Lecture, Video Night, RBS Forum, Booksellers’ Night) were they worth attending?
1–3: N/A. 6–7: N/A. 9: I didn’t attend any.
13) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVA’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?
2: None. 3: N/A. 7: See second part of number seven. 9: It was all smoothly taken care of it. No need of any change.
14) Did you (or your institution) get your money’s worth? Would you recommend this course to others?
1–2: Yes. 3: Yes, and yes. 4: Absolutely. 5: Yes. 6: Yes, and yes! 7: Yes. 8: Yes. 9: More than I expected.
15) Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year? (If you have further praise/concerns, please speak with Amanda Nelsen or Michael Suarez.)
2: Strongly recommend to others. 4: Go to any course ET offers. It is going to be great. He gets better all the time. 5: Great course. Lots of knowledge and enthusiasm—ET. 6: Wonderful collection, instructor, librarian, setting—I can’t tell you how great this was—ET is very inspiring and shares his knowledge, answers questions. Many thanks and thanks to RY and all the staff! 7: I am looking forward to more courses in Japanese wood block book illustration from ET. 8: The staff members were all helpful. 9: Not only some one interested in illustrated Japanese books but anyone whose interest touches about Japanese culture, literature, social life will be greatly benefited from this class with ET and well-balanced interested group of classmates. And thank you very much for anyone who organized and planned the course. Well done.
Aggregate Statistics
Number of respondents: 9
Leave
Institution gave me leave: 5 (56%)
N/A: self-employed, retired, or had summers off: 4 (44%)
Tuition
Institution paid tuition: 3 (33%)
I paid tuition myself: 6 (67%)
Housing
Institution paid housing: 3 (33%)
I paid for my own housing: 5 (56%)
N/A: stayed with friends or lived at home: 1 (11%)
Travel
Institution paid travel: 3 (33%)
I paid my own travel: 5 (56%)
N/A: lived nearby: 1 (11%)
Which one category most closely defines what you do for a living, or why you are at RBS? (Please check only one category)
Antiquarian bookseller: 1 (11%)
Book collector: 1 (11%)
Conservator/binder/preservation librarian: 1 (11%)
Librarian with no rare book duties: 1 (11%)
Rare book librarian: 1 (11%)
Retired: 2 (23%)
College, assistant professor: 1 (11%)
College, full or associate professor: 1 (11%)
How did you hear about this course?
RBS website: 5 (56%)
RBS printed schedule: 1 (11%)
Work colleague: 1 (11%)
News or web article: 1 (11%)
Word of mouth: 1 (11%)