The Relay of Gazes: Representations of Culture in the Japanese Televisual and Cinematic Experience

The Relay of Gazes is a study of multimedia representations of Japanese culture in the latter half of the twentieth century. Carol Ota examines the way these representations changed and reflected social and personal concerns during a period of accelerating globalization. Analyzing the 'gaze' or perspectives represented in these films and television programs, Ota determines that these gazes converge at many unexpected places. Ota concludes that the films share an assumption of the social centrality of television in shaping the gaze, but more importantly she demonstrates how the films and television programs are in line with concerns of traditions of past eras. The Relay of Gazes is a multidisciplinary text that is appropriate for all levels of readers and focuses primarily on Japan studies and film.