[NHK Culture] Online Course: 'History of the British Royal Family and the Legend of King Arthur.' Delving into the profound charm of the King Arthur legend, which has greatly influenced modern Japanese subculture.
NHK Culture is hosting an online course titled 'History of the British Royal Family and the Legend of King Arthur,' led by Professor Yuri Fuwa, Emeritus Professor at Keio University. The course explores the deep allure of the King Arthur legend, including its significant impact on modern Japanese subculture, examining its historical context and evolution.
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Professor Yuri Fuwa, Emeritus Professor at Keio University and former President of the Japan Branch of the International Arthurian Society.
Online. Click here for details.
The legend of King Arthur is the best-known legend in the Western world, and it has had a significant impact on modern Japanese 'subculture.'
Did King Arthur truly exist in the first place?
How did the legend of King Arthur come into being and develop, and why has it continued to be a source of creativity to this day?
This course will explain the formation and development of the Arthurian tradition, interwoven with the history of the British royal family.
From Welsh traditions to Soseki, it will cover the historical background and ideas behind the creation of works, and delve into the profound charm of the King Arthur legend.
## Curriculum
Introduction: What is 'Britain'?
Did King Arthur really exist? / Exploring Arthurian traditions in Wales
The Norman Conquest and Arthurian Chronicles
Geoffrey of Monmouth appears / The birth of the Round Table
Glastonbury legend and the belief in King Arthur's return
People stirring in Glastonbury Abbey / Medieval document battles
King Arthur's story in 14th-century England
'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' / Alliterative poem 'Morte Arthure' – Mordred and Fate's sword Clarent appear
King Arthur's story in the Tudor era
Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' (1485) and its subsequent publishing history
Revival of the King Arthur legend in the Victorian era
Alfred Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' and its influence / Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and on to Soseki
## Instructor Profile
Yuri Fuwa
Emeritus Professor at Keio University, served as President and Vice President of the Japan Branch of the International Arthurian Society.
Studied abroad at Homerton College, Cambridge University, under the Ministry of Education (now MEXT) overseas study abroad program, mentored by Elizabeth Brewer, and aspired to research the legend of King Arthur.
Deepened her research on Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' under Professor Toshiyuki Takamiya at Keio University Graduate School, and later under Professor Peter Field at the University of North Wales (now Bangor University).
Major publications include 'People Obsessed with the Arthurian Tales - 19th Century British Printing and Publishing Culture and Readers -' Keio University Center for Liberal Arts Selection, 2023, 'Celtic Culture Encyclopedia' (authored sections related to 'King Arthur'), Tokyo Do Publishing, 2016. Major translation: Mark Girouard [co-translated] 'Chivalry and Gentleman: A Social History of Victorian England,' Sanseido, 1986.
History of the British Royal Family and the Legend of King Arthur
Instructor: Yuri Fuwa, Emeritus Professor at Keio University, former President of the Japan Branch of the International Arthurian Society
Format: Online
Dates: Wednesday, May 13, May 27, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, 2026
Time: 19:00-20:30
Course Fee: Members/General (no membership required) 23,760 yen (tax included)
Organizer: NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom
Details URL: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1329432.html
Online. Click here for details.
The legend of King Arthur is the best-known legend in the Western world, and it has had a significant impact on modern Japanese 'subculture.'
Did King Arthur truly exist in the first place?
How did the legend of King Arthur come into being and develop, and why has it continued to be a source of creativity to this day?
This course will explain the formation and development of the Arthurian tradition, interwoven with the history of the British royal family.
From Welsh traditions to Soseki, it will cover the historical background and ideas behind the creation of works, and delve into the profound charm of the King Arthur legend.
## Curriculum
Introduction: What is 'Britain'?
Did King Arthur really exist? / Exploring Arthurian traditions in Wales
The Norman Conquest and Arthurian Chronicles
Geoffrey of Monmouth appears / The birth of the Round Table
Glastonbury legend and the belief in King Arthur's return
People stirring in Glastonbury Abbey / Medieval document battles
King Arthur's story in 14th-century England
'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' / Alliterative poem 'Morte Arthure' – Mordred and Fate's sword Clarent appear
King Arthur's story in the Tudor era
Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' (1485) and its subsequent publishing history
Revival of the King Arthur legend in the Victorian era
Alfred Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' and its influence / Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and on to Soseki
## Instructor Profile
Yuri Fuwa
Emeritus Professor at Keio University, served as President and Vice President of the Japan Branch of the International Arthurian Society.
Studied abroad at Homerton College, Cambridge University, under the Ministry of Education (now MEXT) overseas study abroad program, mentored by Elizabeth Brewer, and aspired to research the legend of King Arthur.
Deepened her research on Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' under Professor Toshiyuki Takamiya at Keio University Graduate School, and later under Professor Peter Field at the University of North Wales (now Bangor University).
Major publications include 'People Obsessed with the Arthurian Tales - 19th Century British Printing and Publishing Culture and Readers -' Keio University Center for Liberal Arts Selection, 2023, 'Celtic Culture Encyclopedia' (authored sections related to 'King Arthur'), Tokyo Do Publishing, 2016. Major translation: Mark Girouard [co-translated] 'Chivalry and Gentleman: A Social History of Victorian England,' Sanseido, 1986.
History of the British Royal Family and the Legend of King Arthur
Instructor: Yuri Fuwa, Emeritus Professor at Keio University, former President of the Japan Branch of the International Arthurian Society
Format: Online
Dates: Wednesday, May 13, May 27, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, 2026
Time: 19:00-20:30
Course Fee: Members/General (no membership required) 23,760 yen (tax included)
Organizer: NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom
Details URL: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1329432.html