Lecture Explores Garment Ceremonies of Asian Kings |
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| Written by Valparaiso University Relations |
 Valparaiso University’s Chinese and Japanese Studies Program will present “Robes and Honor,” a Dec. 3 program exploring the ceremonial presentation of luxury garments to someone honored by a king in medieval times.The free event will feature Dr. Stewart Gordon, senior research scholar at the University of Michigan’s Center for South Asian Studies and author of the book “Robes and Honor.” It will begin at 7 p.m. in Harre Union Ballroom A. Dr. Gordon will discuss the custom of honoring individuals with garments, which always included robes but also included turbans, midsection wraps, belts, pants and shoes. The garments presented were often accompanied by other valuable objects, such as gold, slaves, horses and decorated weapons. The ceremonial presentations often established personal links between givers and receivers and flourished during medieval times from China to Spain, tying together Confucian, Muslim, Hindu and Christian courts, travelers and traders, as well as intellectuals of various schools and soldiers of many ethnicities. The custom is related to contemporary church and academic robes. Valpo offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chinese studies, and it is the first faith-based university in the United States to host a Confucius Institute, a non-profit institute established and funded by the Chinese government to promote cultural, business, educational, artistic and government exchanges. More information about Valpo’s Chinese and Japanese Studies Program is available online at http://www.valpo.edu/chineseandjapanesestudies/. For more information about the Dec. 3 program, contact Dr. Jennifer Prough, assistant professor of humanities and East Asian studies, (219)464-5492 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
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