Book Announcement: Buddhism and the Transformation of Old Age in Medieval Japan

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Paula

buddhismBuddhism and the Transformation of Old Age in Medieval Japan

Drott, Edward R.

Scholars have long remarked on the frequency with which Japanese myths portrayed gods (kami) as old men or okina. Many of these “sacred elders” came to be featured in premodern theater, most prominently in Noh. In the closing decades of the twentieth century, as the number of Japan’s senior citizens climbed steadily, the sacred elder of premodern myth became a subject of renewed interest and was seen by some as evidence that the elderly in Japan had once been accorded a level of respect unknown in recent times. In Buddhism and the Transformation of Old Age in Medieval Japan, Edward R. Drott charts the shifting sets of meanings ascribed to old age in medieval Japan, tracing the processes by which the aged body was transformed into a symbol of otherworldly power and the cultural, political, and religious circumstances that inspired its reimagination.

Drott examines how the aged body was used to conceptualize forms of difference and to convey religious meanings in a variety of texts: official chronicles, literary works, Buddhist legends and didactic tales. In early Japan, old age was most commonly seen as a mark of negative distinction, one that represented the ugliness, barrenness, and pollution against which the imperial court sought to define itself. From the late-Heian period, however, certain Buddhist authors seized upon the aged body as a symbolic medium through which to challenge traditional dichotomies between center and margin, high and low, and purity and defilement, crafting narratives that associated aged saints and avatars with the cults, lineages, sacred sites, or religious practices these authors sought to promote.

Contributing to a burgeoning literature on religion and the body, Buddhism and the Transformation of Old Age in Medieval Japan applies approaches developed in gender studies to “denaturalize” old age as a matter of representation, identity, and performance. By tracking the ideological uses of old age in premodern Japan, this work breaks new ground, revealing the role of religion in the construction of generational categories and the ways in which religious ideas and practices can serve not only to naturalize, but also challenge “common sense” about the body.

6 b&w illustrations

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Job Opening: International Program Coordinator, Global Academic Ventures [Australia]

Posted on October 1, 2016 by LM

job opening - 5Institution: Global Academic Ventures
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posted: 09/22/2016
Deadline: Open Until Filled
Type: Full Time
Education: not listed

Open to those eligible for the Australian Work and Holiday visas 462 or 417, or have work rights in Australia

Global Academic Ventures (GAV) is looking for an enthusiastic and detail oriented person, who is passionate about overseas experiential learning, to join our team. Do you have what it takes to provide high quality support to international academic programs? Can we rely on you to uphold our high standards, and provide an “above and beyond” level of customer service to our university contacts and travelling student groups?

About you:
You are looking to expand on your experience within international education, experiential learning and event management. Your commitment to customer service means you are always willing to go the extra mile. You have a “can-do” attitude and are known amongst your peers and previous team positions for taking the initiative. You feel confident networking, talking to people outside your industry field, and building rapport with new contacts. You are keen to accept responsibility and ownership for programs, and are happy to ask for guidance when needed. You enjoy the challenge of a new program and work well under pressure.

You have high attention to detail and are pro-active multi-tasker. You are reliable, professional at all times, highly competent in MS Office, and are happy working in a team or on your own. You may have lived overseas before now, but you have most likely travelled overseas as part of your studies, and understand the benefits and of international education. You have at least three years of office based work experience, or experience as a residential advisor, camp counselor or student/youth leader, event organizer or human resources executive.

You are eligible for the Australian Work and Holiday visas 462 or 417, or have work rights in Australia and you are excited at the prospect of continuing your career in international education.

About the position:
The position is a full time role, with an initial 6 month trial period based in the GAV head office in Sydney, Australia. You will be taking responsibility for key segments of university programs for some of the most highly respected institutions in higher education, including: internship liaison, outreach and placements; academic content; faculty and class scheduling; logistical reservations; and student liaison and support, including serving as a program residential director.

You will be the point of student contact for one January term faculty led “travel-study” program and one internship program. You will work closely with all students, faculty and university staff involved in those programs whilst they are in country. You are expected to support other university programs where and when required, including evenings and weekends when many students take part in additional travel excursions and activities. You will be office based when the programs are not in country, working with our experienced team as we plan the next group of incoming programs.

About us:
Global Academic Ventures (GAV) is head quartered in Sydney, Australia with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the USA. We work with universities to build and facilitate custom international programs in Asia Pacific, Europe, North and South America, focusing on a variety of academic fields. We are a close-knit team of dedicated professionals, passionate about high quality academic programs. Visit out website to learn more about our company, our team, and some of the programs that we facilitate: http://www.globalacademicventures.com

Full listing on HigherEdJobs.com.

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Job Opening: Japanese Applied Linguistics

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Paula

job opening - 5The Department of Asian Studies, at The University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus seeks to make a full-time appointment in the field of Japanese Applied Linguistics at the rank of Instructor, tenure-track, with responsibility for teaching as well as coordinating portions of the Japanese-language program, one of the largest of its kind in North America.

Requirements include: native or near-native fluency in both Japanese and English; a PhD in Japanese Linguistics, Japanese Language Education, Applied Linguistics, Foreign Language Education, or a closely related field; exceptional organizational skills; evidence of excellent teaching ability in Japanese at the post-secondary level in North America and experience preparing teaching materials independently or collaboratively; and a strong track record of full participation in team work and program affairs. Individuals with experience in program coordination, and teaching innovative Content-Based Instruction (CBI) curriculum for advanced learners in fields like Japanese performing arts, cinema, or popular culture are particularly encouraged to apply. We seek an exceptional teacher with a track record of employing innovative pedagogies, such as community-based learning, flexible and/or online learning, and curriculum/program design. Teaching expertise in Japanese translation studies will also be an asset for the position. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an excellent record of teaching, service, and educational leadership.

The normal teaching load of an Instructor is six 3-credit courses over the academic year.  Courses will range from first- to fourth-year undergraduate courses, including CBI courses taught in Japanese. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the Japanese Language Program Director, and will also be assigned a significant level of program coordination duties, for which a 6-credit teaching reduction will be granted.

As this is a tenure-track position, the successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment, tenure, and promotion in subsequent years, in accordance with the Collective Agreement. For a description of the Instructor rank and criteria for reappointment and promotion, visit:http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/appointment-faculty/.

The application dossier should include: application letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, complete transcripts of one’s post-secondary education, and evidence of teaching effectiveness. Applicants should also prepare sample teaching videos (preferably two levels, such as basic and advanced-level classes), uploaded to youtube as private videos, with links sent as part of their application submission.

In addition, applicants should arrange to have three confidential letters of recommendation (preferably by language teaching professionals) sent by the same deadline to the email address below.

Other hiring information:

The starting salary for the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

The deadline for receipt of applications is November 14, 2016.  The anticipated start date of employment is July 1, 2017.

All application materials should be submitted electronically to asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

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Fun Link Friday: Amazon Priest Delivery?

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Paula

A quickie fun link this week!

The modern world poses a lot of challenges for what many consider older, more traditional ways of life. A recent New York Times article talked about one of these questions of becoming obsolete or adapting to the needs of a new world: Amazon’s launching of the obosan-bin, or a priest delivery service that brings Buddhist priests directly to your home for religious purposes. While some organizations are condemning the practice, others are asking how can religious organizations like temples and shrines cope with generations increasingly disconnected from their religious roots and the hometowns that would foster them? How can they service the huge populations of major cities that may not be able to travel far or often for important ritual services? You can read the full article on this fascinating issue at the New York Times’ piece: Japan’s Newest Technology Innovation: Priest Delivery 

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Job Opening: Program Coordinator, International Programs, American University

Posted on September 29, 2016 by LM

job opening - 5Institution: American University
Location: Washington, DC
Posted: 9/19/2016
Type: Full Time
Position Number: 13389
Department: School of International Service
Education: BA or equivalent training/experience

Description:
Under the supervision of the SIS Office of International Programs (OIP) Program Manager, this position will coordinate a portfolio of dual degree and semester exchange programs within the School. The portfolio will include the School’s current East Asian institutional partnerships with a focus on coordinating the joint undergraduate degree program with Ritsumeikan University and other emerging international partners. This position is responsible for the student advisement, administrative tasks, marketing, event planning, and liaising between American University and any appropriate external and internal constituencies for the programs. This position is contingent on continued contract program (IRC) funding.

Educational Requirements:
B.A. or equivalent in training and experience is required.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 3 years of administrative experience
  • Intercultural sensitivity and demonstrated competence dealing with diverse populations
  • Strong communication/writing and organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite products

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience in a higher educational setting
  • Experience working with international/ study abroad programs and students
  • Knowledge of East Asian culture and/or language
  • Social media and digital marketing experience
  • Familiarity with email platforms

Additional Information:
The ideal candidate will be familiar with an academic setting, have an interest in and experience with the field of international relations/ international education, and have the ability to work as a team player. The incumbent must also be flexible in being able to adjust to changing priorities and scheduling within a fast paced, student centered office environment.

Full listing on HigherEdJobs.com.

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Job Opening: East Asian art history, Wesleyan University

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Paula

job opening - 5Institution: Wesleyan University, Department of Art and Art History
Location:  Connecticut, United States
Position:  Assistant Professor of East Asian art history

Wesleyan University’s Department of Art and Art History invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of East Asian art history beginning July 1, 2017. Preference will be given to candidates who focus on the traditional art and architecture of China, Japan, or Korea.  The preferred candidates will demonstrate interest in and ability to teach in at least two of these areas.  The ability to teach a course in modern or contemporary East Asian art, and a course in theory and methods, is desirable.  Candidates will be expected to have a Ph.D. in art history in hand by the time of appointment. Wesleyan is a highly selective liberal arts college; the teaching load is 2/2. Additional duties include advising and mentoring students, carrying on a program of research, and participating in faculty governance at the departmental and university level. Wesleyan values both scholarship and teaching very highly, has a strong, diverse undergraduate student body, and offers a generous sabbatical program and competitive salaries and benefits.

To apply, visit http://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/5630. A complete application includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, writing sample, statement of current research, and documentation of teaching experience, including teaching statement, course syllabi and student evaluations. As part of the teaching statement (or cover letter), we invite you to describe your cultural competencies and experiences engaging a diverse student body. You will also be asked to provide the email addresses of three referees from whom we will obtain confidential letters of recommendation. Applications should be submitted online at http://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings5630.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Antonio Farias, VP for Equity & Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Officer, 860-685-4771,afarias@wesleyan.edu.

Contact: Applications completed by December 1, 2016 will receive full consideration. If you have questions about the application process please contact Professor Phillip Wagoner, Chair, East Asian Search Committee at pwagoner@wesleyan.edu or 1-860-685-3779.

Website: http://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/5630

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Call for Papers: Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Australia: Debating Democracy in Japan

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Paula

call for papers [150-2]The Biennial Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Australia will be held at the University of Wollongong from 26 to 30 June 2017. The Call for Papers is now open.

The conference takes place seventy years since the revised Constitution of Japan came into effect on 3 May 1947. The same year witnessed the implementation of several other important legal and social reforms.

In this Conference we wish to reflect on Japan’s seven decades of postwar democracy. We invite participants to consider the constitutional and legal system, democracy and civil society, the political economy of postwar Japan and the cultural imagining and reimagining of Japanese society over this period. As new technologies assume an ever greater importance in a changing Japan, this conference will also include a subtheme of Japanese Studies in the Digital Age.

We invite papers on any of the following themes. Panels on other themes are also welcome.

  • Debating the Constitution
  • Democracy
  • Debating the ‘postwar’
  • Debating ‘transwar’ history
  • Diaspora
  • Diversity
  • Dis/Ability
  • Demographic Change
  • Demilitarisation and Remilitarisation
  • Decolonisation
  • Deindustrialisation
  • Denuclearisation (Datsu-Genpatsu)
  • Dealing with Disasters
  • Defining and redefining society through the arts
  • Diasporic arts
  • Debates in Japanese Studies
  • Democracy in the Digital Age
  • The Digital Age and Japanese Studies
  • The Digital Age and Japanese Language Education
  • The Digital Age and the Arts

For the 2017 conference, we ask that participants submit proposals for full panels rather than individual papers. Panels will be allocated 90 minutes and may either take the form of three 20 minute papers with 30 minutes for discussion, or three 15 minute papers, 15 minutes for discussant’s comments, and 30 minutes discussion. Full panels will include three speakers and a chair or a chair/discussant.

We ask senior colleagues to facilitate the inclusion of early career researchers and postgraduates. Panels should include a good mix of senior and junior colleagues, with attention paid to gender balance, diversity, location and institutional affiliation. The JSAA Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/The-Japanese-Studies-Association-of-Australia-212204828823231/> can be used to seek fellow panelists, or you may wish to use lists like H-Japan or H-Asia.

Individual presenters may wish to consider a poster session, particularly if the paper makes extensive use of visual materials, graphics, charts, tables, graphs or statistics. We are also open to more creative uses of the poster format, such as a photo-essay, manga, collage or other creative output.

Individuals may not present more than one paper or poster at the conference, but may participate in other sessions as chair or discussant.

Panel Proposals should include:

  • Name, institutional affiliation and contact details of Organiser, Chair or Chair/Discussant, Panelists
  • Panel Abstract (100 words)
  • Individual Paper Abstracts (200 words each)
  • Disciplinary Area (e.g. history, political science, law, literature, cultural studies, gender studies, linguistics, etc.)
  • Keywords (3)

Poster Proposals should include:

  • Name, institutional affiliation and contact details of Presenter
  • Poster Abstract (200 words)
  • Disciplinary Area (e.g. history, political science, law, literature, cultural studies, gender studies, linguistics, etc.)
  • Keywords

A dedicated space will be set aside for display of posters at the conference venue, with designated times for discussion with poster authors.

Posters will be of a maximum size of A1 (59.4 x 84.1cm) (portrait). For guidelines on preparing posters for conferences, see, for example:

<http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/speaking/poster/>

For administrative purposes, the main language of the Conference will be English. We will, however, accept panel and poster proposals in Japanese and presentations may be in Japanese. If your proposal is in Japanese, please include romanised versions of personal names and institutional affiliations.

Please submit proposals through the Conference website online submission system at <https://www.uowblogs.com/jsaa2017/>

Important Dates:

Date for submission of proposals: 9 December 2016

Date for notification of acceptance of proposals: 1 March 2017

Early Bird conference registration: 7 April 2017

Final Date for conference registration: to be advised

Please note: All presenters must be registered at the conference before they will be included on the official programme.

Refereeing Procedures:

All panel and poster proposals (other than invited papers) will be refereed by a review committee. Your indicated disciplinary area and key words will be used to select appropriate reviewers.

Conference website:

<https://www.uowblogs.com/jsaa2017/>

General Inquiries: jsaa.uow@gmail.com

Proposal Submission Inquiries: jsaa.uow.abstracts@uow.edu.au

JSAA Facebook page:

Like us on Facebook at <https://www.facebook.com/The-Japanese-Studies-Association-of-Australia-212204828823231/>.

Conference Twitter Feed:

Follow us on Twitter @jsaa2017

To join the JSAA:

In order to join the Japanese Studies Association of Australia please visit our website, <http://www.jsaa.org.au/>.

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Call for Papers: Asian Studies Conference Japan (ASCJ)

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Paula

call for papers [150-2]2017 Asian Studies Conference Japan (ASCJ)
Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan
Dates: Late June/Early July (Tentative)
Submission Deadline: October 20, 2016

The ASCJ Executive Committee is now accepting panel, individual paper, and roundtable proposals for its 2017 Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Set in one of the leading capitals of East Asia, the conference provides a stimulating environment for intellectual exchange on a wide range of topics and themes pertaining to Asian studies. In 2016, ASCJ celebrated its 20th Anniversary with forty-seven sessions, and it will continue this interdisciplinary tradition with its 2017 conference at Rikkyo University. Please note that we are still negotiating the dates of this conference with the university. It will, however, be held on a weekend in June or early July and will not conflict with the AAS in Asia conference to be held in Seoul, South Korea.

Directions for proposal submissions:
www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/forms/ASCJ%20Call%202017.html

Please submit questions to ascj20XX@gmail.com

The main ASCJ site has additional information on early bird registration and past conferences:www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~ascj/

 

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Funding: 20th Century Japan Research Award for 2016-2017

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Paula

money [150-2]The Nathan and Jeanette Miller Center for Historical Studies and the University of Maryland Libraries invite applications for two $1,500 grants to support research in the library’s Gordon W. Prange Collection and East Asia Collection on topics related to the period of the Allied Occupation of Japan and its aftermath, 1945-1960. Holders of a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree are eligible to apply, as are graduate students who have completed all requirements for the doctorate except the dissertation. The competition is open to scholars in all parts of the world and from any discipline, but historical topics are preferred. University of Maryland faculty, staff, and students may not apply. More information can be found on the Prange Collection website.

The application deadline is November 18, 2016.  The grant must be used by October 27, 2017. Grant funds will be disbursed in the form of reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, reproductions, and related research expenses. Such costs as computers or software are not eligible. Reimbursement will require submission of receipts for processing by the University.  NOTE TO NON-U.S. CITIZENS:  approximately 30% of the total award may be withheld for tax purposes, depending upon the recipient’s country of origin. The withholding may be reimbursed to the recipient after filing a tax form with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

All applications must be submitted electronically by attachment to millercenter@umd.edu with “Twentieth-Century Japan Research Awards” in the subject line. Applications must include a curriculum vitae and a two-to three-page description (double-spaced) of the research project. Applications from graduate students must be accompanied by a letter from the principal faculty advisor attesting to the significance of the dissertation project and to the student’s completion of all other degree requirements.

Materials in the Gordon W. Prange Collection include virtually all Japanese-language newspapers, news agency releases, magazines, pamphlets, and books dating from the period of Allied censorship, 1945-1949, in addition to over 10,000 newspaper photos.  There are also materials published by Chinese and Korean residents, most of which are written in Japanese.  Related collections in English include the personal papers of Charles Kades and Justin Williams.  Office correspondence documenting policies and decisions of the Publications, Pictorial, and Broadcast Division, Civil Censorship Detachment (Civil Intelligence Section), Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers Japan, are complementary to official Occupation records housed at the National Archives, College Park.  Japanese newspapers and magazines from the Prange Collection are available for research on microform. Other Prange materials are made available for research in the Prange Collection reading area after consultation with the Prange Curator or Manager.  The East Asia Collection contains Japanese-language books published during the wartime period, scholarly monographs on Occupied Japan, and a wide variety of reference works.

During the campus visit, the award recipient will give an informal talk on his/her research.  At the conclusion of the visit, the recipient will submit a one-page summary of his/her research findings and a blog post that will appear on Prange Collection social media sites. Reimbursements will be made after the summary and blog post have been submitted to the Prange Collection staff.

For further information about the collections, consult the following websites: http:/www.lib.umd.edu/prange andhttp://www.lib.umd.edu/EASIA/eastasia.html

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Call for Proposals: 2017 AATJ Annual Spring Conference

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Paula

call for papers [150-2]The 2017 Annual Spring Conference of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) will be held in Toronto, Ontario, on Thursday, March 16, 2017, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Association for Asian Studies. Proposals are invited for individual papers and panels in the following areas/categories: (1) literature, (2) linguistics, (3) language pedagogy, (4) second language acquisition, (5) language and technology, or (6) topics related to AATJ’s special interest groups. The deadline for submitting proposals online is October 31, 2016.

For complete information and to submit a proposal, go to http://www.aatj.org/conferences-spring

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