Hi everybody. My name is Kate McDonald, and I’m the newest contributor to Frog in a Well. I’m currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Japanese History at the University of California, San Diego. My research focuses on travel and tourism in East Asia in the 1920s and 1930s, specifically Japanese and foreign travel to Taiwan, Korea, and Manchuria. I am also interested in the histories of mobility and technology.
Thanks to Konrad for inviting me to join the group. I look forward to our discussions!
Welcome, Kate — you have fascinating topics of research, so I think we’ll learn some new things from your posts!
Dear Kate
Your research sounds most interesting. You may have some suggestions for me, though my period is somewhat earlier. I am writing notes on the journal kept of a 1908 tour of Japan The writ From Nikko, the writer writes of billomobiles or brillomobiles (he uses two different spelling) on the river, whose awnings are propped up with four bamboo sticks. Earlier, he uses the spelling Chudasso when he is referring to Jizozassoa, so I know his spelling is problamatic. Apparently, this is some kind of a sail boat?
Do you have any idea what he might mean? Does anybody?
Thanks much. What is your dissertation topic?
Miriam
Kate, any thoughts you have on Tessa Morris-Suzuki’s new book (I believe it comes out on November 17, 2010) dealing with Korea-Manchuria travel memoirs would be of great interest! Hope also you have had a chance to get together with Louise Young to talk about your research…