Call for Papers: Transnational Asia, an online interdisciplinary journal

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Travis

Transnational Asia is a new online interdisciplinary journal, put out by he Chao Center for Asian Studies at Rice University, and edited by Sonia Ryang & Richard J. Smith.

In blurbs I excerpt from various parts of the journal’s website, they write:

“Transnational Asia envisions Asia in transnational time and space. Interdisciplinary, transhistorical, and trans-spatial in approach, Transnational Asia publishes scholarship that challenges traditional understandings of Asia, moving beyond the confines of area studies and nation-state focus and capturing the emergent forms of Asia-related, Asia-inspired, and Asia-driven themes and sites of inquiry in the world today.

Transnational Asia stands on a multidisciplinary premise, encouraging scholars in broad humanistic and social scientific disciplines to submit their work. Being a web-only journal, our goal is to turn our journal into a space where highly engaging scholarly discussions on transnational Asian themes are posted in a timely manner free from the constraints of traditional journal publication. At the same time, we uphold scholarly rigor and, therefore, all main articles will be peer-reviewed. Additionally, each issue will have a specials section with two or more articles discussing an overlapping theme and review articles whereby authors present their views on the basis of two or more books recently published.

As a web-only journal, Transnational Asia maintains flexibility regarding article format. Transnational Asia accepts articles in either social scientific or humanistic citation format. Articles should be about 5,000 to 8,000 words in length, and an abstract of about 250 words summarizing the author’s work should also be included. The inclusion of visual and audio-visual materials is particularly welcome. Transnational Asia does not accept for publication articles that have already been published elsewhere. If an author wishes to submit a previously published article that has been substantially revised, the author must first contact the editorial office for discussion.

Prospective authors are encouraged to make preliminary inquiry by directly contacting the Editor-in-Chief.”

All articles from their inaugural Dec 2016 issue are freely available on the website.

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Job Opening: Manager of Box Office and Administrative Services, Japan Society (NY)

Posted on April 6, 2017 by LM

job opening - 5Employer: Japan Society
Location: New York City
Posted: March 22, 2017
Education: BA/BS

This position manages three critical organizational functions: Box Office and Visitor Services/Welcome Desk, program operations, and office services. The position interfaces with the public, vendors and staff. The Manager of Box Office and Administrative Services is responsible for supervising the Visitor Services/Welcome Desk Associates, and the Finance and Administration Department’s Administrative Assistant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Visitor Services and Box Office:

  • Hire, supervise and train Visitor Services/Welcome Desk and Front Desk staff;
  • Resolve customer-service issues and ticketing problems;
  • Administer Box Office ticketing system including setting up events, troubleshooting ticket problems, arranging for refunds and exchanges as necessary;
  • Maintain stock of ticketing supplies;
  • Develop monthly Visitor Services/Welcome Desk staffing schedule;
  • Provide coverage for Visitor Services/Welcome Desk, Front Desk, and Mailroom as needed.

Program Operations:
Assist Director of Program Operations with rental program and provide back-up as necessary for the following:

  • Coordinating logistics for Japan Society programs and rental events;
  • Responding to inquiries for rental events, and leading tours of Japan Society rental event spaces;
  • Liaising with Japan Society departments and rental organizations during events.

Administrative Services:

  • Supervise Administrative Assistant who provides staffing for Front Desk and Mailroom;
  • Maintain and order office and other supplies. Ensure Japan Society receives the most competitive prices;
  • Negotiate contracts and oversee the purchasing, leasing, and repair of office equipment including photocopiers, fax machines, postage meter, coffee maker, etc.;
  • Coordinate off-site storage and in-house storage with Building Director;
  • Ensure use of most-cost effective shipping methods;
  • Prepare annual administrative services budget, monitor expenditures and projections, and prepare invoices for payment.

Qualifications:

  • BA/BS and minimum three years experience in visitor services and office administration or related field;
  • Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational skills;
  • Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills;
  • Ability to problem-solve;
  • Strong teamwork orientation;
  • Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office and database software;
  • Experience with Top Tix SR04 application a plus.

To Apply:  Email your letter of interest and resume to the Director of Human Resources, at jobs@japansociety.org.

See original posting on the Japan Society website.

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Notice: Article temporarily down

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Paula

With apologies, our post for today, “The Struggles and Successes of Translating Mobile Apps” has been temporarily removed. As with most app and technology-related things, it contained some time sensitive information and needs a bit of review, but look forward to it returning in the future!

In the meanwhile, what’s your favorite Japanese mobile app? 🙂

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Call for Papers: Artists, Writers, and Periodicals in Asia

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Travis


Symposium
Date: Thu, 11–Sat, 13 Jan 2018
Organisers: Asia Art Archive in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong

(reposting from Japan Art History Forum):

This symposium asks how periodicals in Asia across the twentieth century have fostered conversations about art and emergent forms of visuality. We are interested in how periodicals constitute genealogies of language and nomenclatures around the modern, the contemporary, the indigenous, the nation, arts and crafts, and tradition.

Light, affordable, and foldable, periodicals travelled with unprecedented speed from writer and artist to printer, and from mail service to reader. These circuits of ideas, practices, and readerships created (and were created by) new sites of experimentation in print technologies, illustration, graphic design, and forms literary and artistic. Their portability opened possibilities for the translation and transposition of ideas across media, language, culture, and geography.

‘Periodical time’—the monthly, the fortnightly, the weekly, or at times, the single issue—became a way of serving and forming diverse publics, with spaces including popular, cultural, and literary magazines; newspapers; self-published zines; artist-run magazines; and journals.

For some artists and intellectuals, the print platform remains appealing for its visual, archival, discursive, and dissemination functions. We seek to understand how periodicals map, compile, translate, and republish texts as they define what it means to be modern and contemporary in specific locales.

This symposium invites contributions anchored around periodicals from Asia published between 1900 to the present.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

1. How did periodicals in Asia shape and disseminate debates around discourses on modernism, aesthetics, the avant-garde, and the contemporary? How were these related to broader affinities such as those of the non-West, the post-colonial, the indigenous, or the alternative?

2. How might we chart the contexts and economies of their production, conditions of publication, circuits of distribution, and networks of readership? What kinds of material content and collection did the form of the periodical make possible?

3. In what ways did periodicals serve as sites of exhibition? What were the languages of visuality constituted within them via images of artwork, advertisements, covers, design and typography, and the very form of the periodical?

4. What intersections between art and writing did periodicals enable? How did the periodical form facilitate experiments in language and new genres of writing? Who were the writers who made significant contributions to periodicals, and what new imaginaries around art did they introduce?

5. What are the implications of digitalisation for the study of periodicals? How has large-scale digitalisation of periodicals opened new ways of seeing, perceiving, annotating, and researching the fields of modern and contemporary art?

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Material may be submitted in English or Chinese. Please submit the following by Monday, 10 April 2017, to symposium@aaa.org.hk (use the subject line: Art Periodicals Symposium):

1. A 200-word abstract
2. A two-page curriculum vitae with e-mail, phone number, and mailing address

Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Final papers must be in English or Chinese. There may be funding for speakers, subject to availability.

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Fun Link Friday: Kyoto University Graduation Cosplay

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Travis

It’s graduation season here in Japan, and here at the University of Tokyo, I’ve been seeing people day after day walking around in graduation robes, beautiful kimono, or slick suits, taking selfies or family photos in front of the iconic Akamon.

At the University of Kyoto (Kyôdai), however, it would seem things go a little differently. Apparently, Kyôdai has a long-standing tradition of not mandating any particular dress code at graduation – and a long-standing tradition on the part of the students of taking that situation to cosplay extremes.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Elite Daily has compiled click here a whole bunch of photos and Tweets from the event.

More photos can be found at RocketNews24, Beautiful Lands, NetGeek, and Kyoto University’s official Facebook page.

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Job Opening: Assistant Professor; Nichibunken

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Paula

Application Guidelines for a Full-time Faculty Position (without tenure)
Office of International Research Exchange
International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken)

Position title: Assistant Professor
Number of positions: One position

Work responsibilities:7

The Office of International Research Exchange is primarily involved in working with overseas institutions and scholars to plan, prepare, and hold scholarly gatherings. Duties include:

  1. Carrying out the international research exchange programs implemented by the International Research Center for Japanese Studies
  2. Keeping abreast of trends within the research community of Japan scholars in Japan and abroad and related research support
  3. Planning, coordination, and research to strengthen the capacity of international research exchange

Qualifications:

Proficiency in both Japanese and English for handling administrative matters (any nationality is welcome)

Ph.D. degree or equivalent research profile

Experience in conducting research on Japan at an overseas academic organization

Experience involving international scholarly exchange

Starting date: October 1, 2017

The term of office is three years, which is re-assignable. However, reappointment shall be limited to one time and the term of reappointment shall be two years.

Documents to be submitted:

  1. Curriculum vitae. You may use the form that can be downloaded from the website of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (consisting of 2 sheets)
  2. List of research accomplishments and examples of three key publications (books, articles, etc.: photocopies are acceptable)
  3. List of experience/activities involving internationalresearchexchange
  4. Statement explaining your interest in and aspirations regarding international research exchange (1000-1500 words)
  5. Two letters of recommendation
  6. Photocopy of Ph.D. diploma

Selection Process:

We will review the submitted documents. Depending on the results of the review, we will conduct an interview if necessary. In that case, please understand that we do not provide travel expenses.

Workplace:

Office of International Research Exchange, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto

Working hours:

In principle, 8 hours or less a day, 5 days a week (total of 40 hours or less a week)

Salary and benefits:

Determined in accordance with the regulations of the National Institute for Humanities

Insurance coverage:

Health insurance (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association), welfare annuity, and unemployment insurance will be provided in accordance with the regulations of the National Institute for Humanities.

Deadline for applications:

All application materials must arrive by April 20, 2017 (5:00 p.m. JST)

Applications should be sent by postal mail.

Address for submission of application materials/enquiries:

Office of International Research Exchange Faculty Search Committee
General Affairs Division (Attn: Personnel Section)
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
3-2 Oeyama-cho Goryo
Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192
Japan

*All materials should be placed in an envelope with “Application for Faculty Position in Office of Research Exchange” marked in red.

Tel 81-75-335-2014 (international) or 075-335-2014 (domestic)
Email: jinji*nichibun.ac.jp　（Please replace “*” with “@”）

URL: http://www.nichibun.ac.jp

All personal information submitted will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection and will not be disclosed to any third party without just cause.

*The International Research Center for Japanese Studies is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty in order to promote globalization and gender equality.

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Book Announcement: The Tales of Ise [new translation]

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Paula

The Tales of Ise

Translated by Peter MacMillan

One of the three seminal works of Japanese literature, this beautiful collection of poems and tales offers an unparalleled insight into ancient Japan.

Along with the Tale of Genji and One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each, The Tales of Ise is considered one of the three most important works of Japanese literature. A poem-tale collection from the early Heian period, it contains many stories of amorous adventures, faithful friendship and travels in exile, framing the exquisite poems at the work’s heart.

The Tales of Ise has influenced waka, Noh, tales and diaries since the time it was written, and is still the source of endless inspiration in novels, poetry, manga and cartoons. This volume has been translated by Peter MacMillan and includes a preface by the renowned Japanologist Donald Keene.

‘MacMillan’s Tales of Ise adds to the treasures of Japanese literature that can now be enjoyed in English translation. It is the most poetic translation of this work to date and establishes MacMillan as an outstanding translator of Japanese poetry’

– Donald Keene

Read more at https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/188606/the-tales-of-ise/

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Job Opening: Japanese history, Connecticut College

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Paula

Institution: Connecticut College
Location:  New London, Connecticut
Position:  Visiting Assistant Professor, History

The Department of History invites applicants for a one-year visiting position in Japanese History, beginning in July 1, 2017. In addition to two required introductory Japanese history classes, intermediate- or upper-level classes in the candidate’s area of expertise would be welcomed. The teaching load for the position is three courses per semester. The position is open to specialists in all fields of Japanese History. PhD preferred, but ABD will be considered. This is a benefits eligible position.

Connecticut College is a private, highly selective institution with a demonstrated commitment to outstanding faculty teaching and research. Recognizing that intellectual vitality and diversity are inseparable, the College has embarked on a significantly successful initiative to diversify its faculty, student body and curriculum. The College seeks creative scholars excited about working in a liberal arts setting, with its strong focus on engaged teaching, participation in shared governance, and active involvement in an institution-wide advancement of diversity. We encourage applications from candidates who share this understanding of the faculty role and will contribute to the diversity of our college community, including members of historically underrepresented groups. AA/EEO

We value the contributions visitors bring to our community and encourage their active engagement with their departments and all aspects of campus life during the course of their appointment. Visiting faculty are initially participating members of the faculty and voting members in their second and subsequent years; their presence is welcome at all faculty meetings.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, and evidence of teaching effectiveness to Interfolio at:  https://apply.interfolio.com/40921. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Questions may be addressed to Lisa Wilson, Chair, History Department, Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320; lhwil@conncoll.edu.

Contact:

Lisa Wilson, Chair, History Department, Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320; lhwil@conncoll.edu

Website:http://www.conncoll.edu

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Call for Papers: 2nd Annual Midwestern Japanese Graduate Studies Workshop

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Paula

Call for Abstracts
2nd Annual Midwestern Japanese Graduate Studies Workshop
The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
May 12th to 13th, 2017

Graduate students (PhD or MA) in Japanese Studies at Midwestern universities are invited to submit abstracts for the 2nd Annual Midwestern Japanese Graduate Studies Workshop. This two-day workshop will provide students with the opportunity to share their research with peers from other Midwestern institutions, foster regional connections, and receive feedback on their work.

The workshop will be held on May 12th and 13th, beginning with a presentation by Robert Tierney (Associate Professor in the East Asian Languages and Cultures Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) at a co-hosted session of the University of Chicago’s Arts and Politics of East Asia and East Asia: Transregional Histories workshops. On Saturday May 13th, four ninety-minute panels will be held, each with a dedicated discussant from the University of Chicago. This format is designed to actively engage participants in the process of reading one another’s work and providing dynamic feedback.

Participants will submit an excerpt of their work no longer than ten pages in length which will be circulated to all participants prior to the workshop. They will then deliver a twenty minute talk based on their paper. We ask that presenters stay within this time frame to allow ample time for feedback.

We welcome submissions from a range of graduate work, including conference-style presentations, portions of MA theses, or PhD chapters. Eight graduate students from Midwestern institutions with Japanese studies graduate programs will be selected to participate.

Applications (due March 31st, 2017):

Please email the following to midwestjapaneseconference@gmail.com:

  • Full name

  • Institutional affiliation

  • Discipline of study

  • Email address

  • Title of presentation

  • 250-300 word abstract

Successful applicants will be notified by April 3rd, 2017.

Final papers will be due for circulation May 5th, 2017.

Travel expenses and lodging:

Lodging will be provided free of charge to all participants at the University of Chicago’s Quadrangle Club from May 12th to May 14th. More information can be found at the Quadrangle Club website. General information about visiting Hyde Park can be found here.

Several meals will be provided over the course of the workshop; this includes dinner the first evening (May 12th) with Professor Tierney. We ask that participants in the workshop secure funds from their home institutions to use for travel and per diem purposes.

Contact Information:

Conference website https://ceas.uchicago.edu/page/japanese-graduate-studies-workshop

Conference email midwestjapaneseconference@gmail.com

Philomena Mazza-Hilway mazzah@uchicago.edu

Kyle Peters kapeters@uchicago.edu

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Job Opening: Office Services Coordinator, East Asian Studies Center, Indiana University Bloomington

Posted on March 25, 2017 by LM

job opening - 5Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Location: Bloomington, IN
Application Due: 03/23/2017
Type: Full Time
Education: BA preferred

Position Title: Office Services Coordinator

Department Information

The East Asian Studies Center (EASC) strives to build networks of knowledge, practice, resources, and discovery that enhance understanding of East Asia locally, regionally, and nationally by:
supporting interdisciplinary research and teaching;
linking academic resources with K-12, business, and professional communities;
investing in innovative scholarship and courses;
coordinating conferences and workshops;
educating K-12 teachers;
fostering dialogue among scholars, students, practitioners, and policy makers.
Click here to visit the Center Website for more information.

Job Summary

Serves as the primary source of administrative support for the East Asian Studies Center (EASC).

Manages the office reception desk, serving as initial point of contact for all visitors, including faculty, students, and members of the public. Serves as liaison with IT and technology support staff and is also responsible for the smooth function of the office, including: ordering office supplies, assisting with event planning, processing travel awards and acting as unit travel arranger. Collects and organizes documentation for center’s financial transactions, and maintains unit e-mail account and distribution lists. Assists with updating Center website, online newsletter, and social media accounts, and maintains database(s) for tracking and managing EASC events and functions. Additionally, works with EASC leadership to develop and update procedural manuals, and provides training to student staff on office procedures and protocols.

Required Qualifications

REQUIRED: High school diploma or GED and three years of office experience.

Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including a customer service orientation and ability to interact and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals including faculty, staff, students and the general public.
Strong organizational skills including ability to work independently and prioritize workload with appropriate judgment in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to accurately analyze detailed information; and accurate filing, typing, and document preparation skills.
Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree; experience with Indiana University systems and software (e.g. SIS, IUIE, HRMS, FIS, iStart, GIS, purchasing, and travel); understanding of database software.

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