Introduction

Greetings, and thanks to Konrad for inviting me to join. I’m a historian of Japan. I received my Ph.D. in 2001 and now teach in the Asian Studies department at Occidental College in Los Angeles.. My research focuses on the relationship between material culture and notions of national identity. I originally intended to work on the sixteenth century, but my studies led me into the early modern period, which in turn led me to Meiji, and now I’m also looking at the 1930s. So I suppose I’m a historian of Japan from the 16th-20th centuries. Longue durée cultural history. Information about my publications and current research can be found on my website. I also maintain a blog for one of my seminars, titled “Displaying Premodern Japan,” previously mentioned by Jonathan Dresner in the Asian History Carnival #3 on froginawell/china. I look forward to participating!