noun
study of modern societies; modernology
An academic term coined by Wajiro Kon, referring to the study of contemporary customs, material culture, and everyday life through direct observation.
考現学は、街角のファッションや看板を記録することから始まった。
Modernology began with recording street fashion and signs.
考古学 is archaeology, the study of past societies through material remains, while 考現学 focuses on contemporary society.
Coined in the early 20th century by Japanese architect and researcher Wajiro Kon, modeled after 考古学 (archaeology) but applied to the present.