The talk will be presented by Dr Gwyn McClelland, UNE senior lecturer in Japanese studies, and will focus on the book Aromas of Asia: Exchanges, Histories, Threats.
The multidisciplinary book, which Gwyn co-edited with Hannah Gould from the University of Melbourne, focuses on olfaction, or the sense of smell, and the significant cultural, social, and even spiritual significance scent holds in Asian societies.
Gwyn’s talk will range across topics covered in the book, including tracking the the trail of incense in early and medieval China along the Silk Road to contemporary funeral practices in Singapore aimed at avoiding smell altogether - a daunting task in Singapore’s a hot and humid climate!
The ideas for the book took shape during the Covid pandemic, sparked by one of the more disconcerting symptoms of Covid, anosmia, or loss of a sense of smell.
“Anosmia affected nearly half of all diagnosed patients and had a profound impact on people’s everyday activities with some people likening it to experiencing the world in only two dimensions. As a symptom, anosmia was mostly downplayed in the media and we wanted to know more,” Gwyn said.
“This led us to considering smell more closely, which morphed into the broader framework of the role of scent in an Asian context as the co-editors both had a background in Asian studies.”
To understand why smell is so important, the authors took a closer look at its social implications and aroma’s crossing of both sensory and geographical boundaries e.g. the tourism trade that evolved around durian and kopi, two iconic elements of Southeast Asian culture.
“Durian fruit especially is famous for its strong and distinctive odour which some people find pungent and offensive while others enjoy its unique aroma. The aroma of durian can evoke strong reactions and is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Southeast Asia, symbolising both culinary delight and regional identity.”
The book further explores olfaction through examples such as trade where scent featured prominently in the descriptions of travellers, the diffusion of dharmic religious traditions out of South Asia, words that carry scent, and a study of Johnnie To’s ‘Blind Detective’ and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ in cinema.
Join us on Tuesday, 14 May, at UNE Tamworth from 12-1pm, to learn more about the Aromas of Asia.
Gwyn will have a copy of the book for purchase. It is also available through the UNE Library.
