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Student News
[November 16, 2020]
Apply for the 2021-2022 CJS and FLAS scholarships; Deadline is Feb. 1, 2021.
Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) Fellowships/Scholarships
Center for Japanese Studies Graduate Fellowship ($15,000)
Hanayo Sasaki Graduate Merit Scholarship (approx. $2,000)
Minae & Miki Kajiyama Graduate Scholarship (approx. $3,000)
Takie Sugiyama Lebra Fellowship ($15,000)
Tasuku Harada Graduate Scholarship (approx. $6,000)
2021-2022 Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS)
Informational sheet (PDF)
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 1, 2021.
[September 25, 2020]
2020-2021 Japanese Studies Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020-21 Japanese Studies scholarships and fellowships!
- Center for Japanese Studies Fellowships
- Peter Bushell (MA student, History)
- Zachary Long (PhD student, History) (photo)
- Francesca Pizarro (PhD student, Japanese literature)
- Tasuku Harada Educational Fund
- Yuko Ida (PhD student, Education) (photo)
- Takie Sugiyama Lebra Fellowship
- Minae and Miki Kajiyama Graduate Scholarship
- Yoshiaki Otta (PhD student, Japanese literature)
- John Fee Embree Scholarship
- Kunihiko Homma (PhD student, Japanese) (photo)
- Hanayo Sasaki Scholarship
- Tatsuki Kohatsu (MA student, Geography) (photo)
- Avis Morigawara Scholarship
- Iroha Mochida (BA major, Asian Studies) (photo)
- Wakabakai Alumni Association
- Joseph Iseri (BA major, Japanese)
[August 12, 2020]
Now open: 2021-2022 Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship application
Attention UHM graduate students:
The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation (CPAS) is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. The total award value is $45,000.
Scholarship: Covers one-year of study in Japan with an annual $30,000 scholarship award plus $15,000 annual allowance which will cover tuition and one-time roundtrip airfare from Honolulu to Japan.
Open to: American graduate students at UH Mānoa pursuing study in subject area leading to better understanding between Japan and the U.S.
Orientation Session via Zoom: Wed., September 16, 2020, 2:00-3:00pm
RSVP to myokomichi@jashawaii.org to confirm your attendance and receive the link to join directly.
Deadline to apply: Friday, October 30, 2020
All applicants must appear before the CPAS Foundation Screening Committee via Zoom on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
All finalists must appear before the CPAS Foundation Board of Trustees via Zoom on Friday, December 18, 2020.
To apply:
Application
PDF-writeable version also available on-line at the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation website at www.cpasfoundation.org
PDF info. flyers:
General Information
Orientation Session
[July 2, 2020]
2021 Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Research Student Scholarship
Information on the 2021 MEXT (research student) scholarship is available on the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu’s website here. Please share the opportunity with those who may be interested.
PDF flyers:
2021 MEXT (Research Student) Flyer
2021 MEXT (Research Student) Timeline (updated on Aug. 28, 2020)
[June 30, 2020]
Hawaiʻi – Ehime Cultural Exchange Event on June 26 (27th in Japan)
On Friday, June 26 (Saturday, June 27 Japan time), three former Ehime internship interns, UH Mānoa alumni (Jaime Gusman-Tateyama, Tasha Hayashi, Mercedes Bazzone), and CJS Associate Director, Dr. Gay Satsuma, participated in an international day event at Ehime’s Matsuyama Higashi High School by presenting on various Hawaiian cultural topics via Zoom. Thirty high school students in Ehime attended the event. Owing to COVID-19, UH Mānoa’s 2020 Ehime summer internship program was cancelled. This event provided us the opportunity to continue our Hawaiʻi-Ehime cultural exchange.
CJS would like to thank Ms. Mai Inaba of Matsuyama Higashi High School for her school’s invitation, and express our gratitude to Jaime, Tasha, and Mercedes for their time and expertise.
The photo was taken from the back of the classroom.
[February 25, 2020]
Exchange between Urasenke Chado club members and Doshisha
A “tea exchange” and Memorandum of Agreement signing between representatives from Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) students and UH-Mānoa Chado (Way of Tea) club members took place on Sunday, Feb. 23rd, at the Halekulani Hotel Hau Terrance, in Waikiki. Pictured (from left to right) are UH Tea Club President Jordan Kanemitsu and the President of the Doshisha Tea Club Kanako Iwabuchi. Overlooking the signing, stand (from left to right) UH PresidentDavid Lassner, Urasenke Chado Tradition 15th generation Grand Tea Master Genshitsu SEN, and Doshisha University Chancellor and Board of Trustees Chairperson Eiji Hatta.
Photo credit: Wayne Muromoto, thank you.
[February 6, 2020]
[Archive] 2020-2021 CJS and FLAS scholarships, Deadline to Apply: Feb. 3, 2020
Center for Japanese Studies Fellowships/Scholarships
Center for Japanese Studies Graduate Fellowship ($15,000)
Hanayo Sasaki Graduate Merit Scholarship (approx. $2,000)
John Fee Embree Scholarship (approx. $1,500)
Minae & Miki Kajiyama Graduate Scholarship (approx. $3,000)
Takie Sugiyama Lebra Fellowship ($15,000)
Tasuku Harada Graduate Scholarship (approx. $6,000)
2020-2021 FLAS informational sheet
[February 6, 2020]
[Archive] Student scholarship available to participate in the 72nd Japan-America Student Conference (JASC), July 24 – Aug. 17, 2020
CJS is offering a scholarship ($3,000 to cover participation fee) for full-time students at UHM to participate in the 72nd Japan-America Student Conference. The deadline to apply for the CJS scholarship is February 7, 2020. The link to a PDF copy of the scholarship flyer is here.
[January 28, 2020]
CANCELLED [as of March 10, 2020]: Apply for the 2020 Ehime Summer Internship Program
Update (March 10, 2020):
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
We are grateful for all the interest and inquiries about the 2020 summer internship at the Ehime Prefectural International Center. Due to health concerns, the program is CANCELLED this year.
2020 Summer Internship Program at Ehime Prefectural International Center (EPIC)
In 2003, educational exchange programs between Ehime and Hawaiʻi were established to strengthen their relationship following the Ehime-maru incident in 2001 that resulted in the loss of four students and five faculty members of the Ehime Prefectural Uwajima Fishery High School. This summer internship program for current UH students to work at EPIC and other municipal international centers in Ehime prefecture. The main objective of the program is to foster friendship and understanding between the two communities.
Timeframe:
mid-May to late July or early August 2020 (approx. 70-80 days)
Summary of Work Responsibilities:
- Assist EPIC staff in answering general inquiries both from the people of Ehime and foreigners.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute cross-cultural seminars that include topics on Hawaiian and American cultures (including visits to elementary, middle, high schools, and universities in Ehime).
- Support and assist the Ehime-Hawaiʻi related programs.
- Assist in the update and management of the website and publications for EPIC.
- Work hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm.
>> Click here for the 2018 summer interns’ schedule as a general reference.
Internship includes:
- Roundtrip ticket (Honolulu-Ehime), living stipend, housing (pending funding).
- The selected candidate must have a valid passport and pay for his/her own passport/visa fees.
Eligibility:
- Applicant must be a United States citizen currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at UH in a field related to EPIC’s interests. Applicant must be enrolled during the proposed internship period.
- Applicant should possess moderate Japanese language skills, have experience working or living in an international context, and have some knowledge of Hawaiian culture. Applicant should also possess good interpersonal skills and be able to multi-task.
- Your application for an internship should be supported by your university. A minimum requirement is a letter from one of your professors supporting your application.
- The final candidates will be selected by the authority of Japan-America Society in Hawaiʻi and University of Hawaiʻi. Placement is subject to availability of meaningful assignments.
Application and Guidelines:
2020 Ehime Summer Internship Program Application
- Deadline for application and other documents: March 20, 2020 (Friday)
- Finalists will be interviewed on March 24, 2020 (Tuesday) starting at 5:00pm. Students will be contacted to schedule the interview.
[January 17, 2020]
Leah Wasil awarded the 2020-2021 Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship
Leah Wasil, a PhD candidate in the Department of Anthropology at UHM, was selected to receive the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship for the academic year 2020-21. With the Akihito scholarship, Wasil will attend the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies to improve her Japanese language skills.
The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship was established in 1959 to commemorate the wedding of then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko. It is awarded to one graduate student from Hawaiʻi and one graduate student from Japan each year. Today the scholarship is run by the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi to promote better understanding between Japan and Hawaiʻi.
Congratulations, Leah!
Faculty News
[May 1, 2020]
Professor of Music, Dr. Donald Womack awarded the 2020 Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Donald Womack conducting the Gyeonggi Korean Orchestra (UH News)
It was announced last month that CJS faculty member Dr. Donald Reid Womack (Professor of Music) was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship. He is among a diverse group of 175 writers, scholars, artists, and scientists to receive this achievement. In an interview with UH News, Dr. Womack said, “I’m thrilled and honored to have my work recognized and I am grateful for the support UH has provided, and especially for my wonderful colleagues in the music department.”
Congratulations!
Read more:
Full list of 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship winners – https://www.gf.org/news/foundation-news/2020-guggenheim-fellowship-winners-announced/
Dr. Womack’s biographical statement on the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation’s webpage – https://www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/Donald-Reid-Womack/
UH News, published April 16, 2020 – https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/04/16/womack-guggenheim-fellowship/
[January 7, 2020]
Update from Professor of Law, Mark Levin
Richardson-in-Japan bōnenkai event clockwise from left: Michael Wolf, J.D. ’99, Makoto Ibusuki, former Visiting Scholar, Mark Levin, Prof., Steven Howard, J.D. ’98, Kei Kitatani, J.D. ’12, Matthew Grieder, J.D. ’02, Darcy Kishida, J.D. ’01, Kevin Chen, J.D. ’15, Yasuhei Taniguchi, former Visiting Professor, Chie Hashimoto, LL.M. ’06, & Koichi Fukushima LL.M. ’07.
News
[November 13, 2020]
Emeritus Professor of History, William Wayne Farris’ work featured in Yomiuri newspaper (Oct. 18, 2020)
Article translation provided by Dr. Farris:
“As a prelude to the annual exhibition of treasures from the Shosoin at Todaiji in Nara, the Yomiuri Newspaper featured the research of William Wayne Farris, Former Sen Distinguished Chair and Professor Emeritus in UH’s History Department. The article appeared in the October 18th issue, the Sunday before the Treasures were to go on display. In 1985, Farris had published POPULATION, DISEASE, AND LAND IN EARLY JAPAN, 645-900, which described and analyzed the horrific Smallpox Epidemic of 735-737. Farris utilized local financial records found in the Shosoin to infer mortality across a broad swath of Japan ranging from northern Kyushu to eastern Honshu at about 25%-35% for one year. Since the population of Japan was between six and seven million, that means that more than a million inhabitants may have died. The Smallpox Epidemic of 735-737 is now recognized by both Japanese and Euro-American scholars as one of the worst epidemics in world history.”
[August 26, 2020]
Dr. Fujio Matsuda
Dr. Fujio Matsuda, president of UH from 1974 to 1984, passed away on August 23, 2020 (UH News – In memoriam: Former UH President Fujio Matsuda). Some of you may know that Dr. Matsuda studied and practiced the Urasenke tea ceremony for a number of years. After he retired from the University, he served as the President of Tankokai Urasenke Hawai’i and continued his study of tea. The photo shows Dr. Matsuda performing a tea ceremony.
Photo credit: Wayne Muramoto
[July 22, 2020]
Call for images: COVID-19 times as experienced in Japan
Thank you to everyone who responded to our call for images on COVID–19 times as experienced in Japan (March-June 2020). We received over forty images from twelve contributors, and put together a slideshow on YouTube for your viewing. The link is here: https://youtu.be/88PbfrxKWq0
We also uploaded the photos to our page on ScholarSpace, which is UH Mānoaʻs open-access digital repository. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/68860.
[June 4, 2020]
Call for images: COVID-19 times as experienced in Japan
We are requesting for images taken in Japan during the pandemic. We hope that these images will convey a sense of daily Japan from the ground during the past few months of the pandemic and after the emergency declaration status was lifted. Our intent is to make these images available as a digital collection on UH ScholarSpace (under the CJS collection) and slideshow (on CJS YouTube) for open access and common use.
Submitted images would be under Creative Commons 2.0 for non-commercial use. At the bottom of this call, we have the links to more information on the digital permissions for UH ScholarSpace and Creative Commons 2.0.
The parameters for photo submissions are as follows:
- Image orientation: landscape format (wider than it is tall; shot in a horizontal orientation) is preferred, but in some cases, portrait format (taller than it is wide; shot in a vertical orientation) makes more sense. Visual example here.
- Image resolution: please send to the original file, or in its highest resolution taken.
- Image format: JPEG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF are all acceptable.
Please include the following information with your submission:
- Your first and last name as you would like credited.
- Date photo was taken.
- Location of photo.
- Caption for the photo; no more than 70 characters with spaces.
- Alternative text that describes the content of the image, for individuals who rely on assistive technologies to access the photo. (Penn State has concise instructions on: What is the difference between caption and alternative text?)
Deadline: Please submit your photos to us no later than June 8, 2020.
To read more on digital permission and rights, please see:
- UH ScholarSpace Rights (see point 4 on ScholarSpace Rights)
- Creative Commons attribution 2.0 for non-commerical use
[April 30, 2020]
Community Virtual Events
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distanced operations, we are curating a list of known community virtual events, programs, and resources that may be of interest to current and potential Japan scholars. Access it here*. (*Link not available in this archive)
We continually update this page, of community resources, and please note that the events and organizations listed are not necessarily sponsored by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. For detailed information about events and resources, please contact the organizer/s directly. If your organization would like your event posted on our list, please submit requests to cjs@hawaii.edu for consideration.
[March 4, 2020]
Call for participants: UHM-CJS Hokkaido Interdisciplinary Field Study opportunity, June 1-12, 2020
Seeking Participants:
UHM-CJS Hokkaido Interdisciplinary Field Study 2020 Opportunity (June 1-12, 2020)
The University of Hawaiˈi at Mānoa Center for Japanese Studies is seeking seven participants in an intensive 10-day field study workshop in Hokkaido, Japan, funded by a grant received from the Center for Global Partnership.
Items covered or provided:
- Roundtrip economy airfare to and from Sapporo Japan
- Accommodation
- Most ground transportation expenses
- An US$80 daily per diem for meals and miscellaneous expenses (including site entry fees)
- Travel insurance
Application:
- The following will be given priority:
- UHM faculty and graduate students in Asia-Pacific area studies fields other than Japanese Studies whose research and teaching would be enhanced by exposure to the connections as well as parallels and contrasts between Japan and the countries or regions that they study;
- faculty in the social sciences and humanities disciplines at other universities, colleges and community colleges in Hawaiˈi whose teaching and research would be similarly enhanced by a deeper understanding and engagement with Japan, and
- graduate students at UHM interested in Japan but who have not had the opportunity to conduct field study in Japan or whose research projects would benefit significantly from a site visit to Hokkaido specifically.
All prospective participants should possess all documentation (e.g., current passport) needed for entry into Japan, be in good health, capable of doing a considerable amount of walking throughout the tour, and free of dietary or other needs that cannot be readily accommodated in Japan.
Application:
Required documents
- CV (must include details on student status or faculty position, such as major, degree program, name of college/university, department)
- Transcripts (if a current student). Print out of UH STAR record is acceptable.
- Short essay describing how participation in the study tour will benefit your teaching and/or research
- Physician’s note confirming your ability to participate in overseas field study
- Letter of support from a UHM faculty member (if a student)
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until March 12, 2020 and should be emailed to lonny@hawaii.edu.
Description
The UHM-CJS Hokkaido Interdisciplinary Field Study 2020 aims to provide faculty and graduate students across the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus along with faculty from neighboring universities and community colleges with exposure to Japan that goes beyond the introductory and which challenges extant conventional images. The proposed Hokkaido research trip will do this by highlighting Hokkaido’s distinctive place in Japan’s history, politics, and society in ways that resonate with concerns endemic to Hawaii’s distinctive geohistorical context. Thematically, the tour will revolve around (1) Hokkaido’s distinctive natural environment and how it has shaped the lives of the people of Hokkaido and their relationship with mainland Japan, (2) the frontier status of Hokkaido and its associated strategic geopolitical significance, and (3) indigenous Ainu culture and society.
A number of pedagogical vehicles will be utilized to facilitate learning at visited sites. These include object-based learning exercises, independent research projects, requiring participants to have and use mobile data access, and a closing symposium where participants present the results of their independent research.
The field trip will be conducted in tandem with a faculty development workshop (link) being organized by the Japan Studies Association (JSA). A more detailed description of the itinerary is attached.
Participant responsibilities
Program participants must participate in all program activities and complete all associated assignments. This includes pre- and post-trip orientation and presentation meetings and an individual report (minimum 1,000 words) on how s/he will incorporate their experiences in the future.
Participants will be responsible for any cancellation fees or other costs incurred as a consequence of actions or requests on their part. This does not apply to changes or cancellations initiated by the program organizers.
Please direct any questions or concerns to Lonny Carlile, Director, Center for Japanese Studies, at lonny@hawaii.edu or 808-956-2661.
HOKKAIDO WORKSHOP 2020 SCHEDULE DRAFT version. 4 (subject to change)
| May 26 (Tu) Orientation and Preliminary Reporting Session (UH). |
| June 1 (Mon) Arrival in Sapporo. Opening evening. |
| June 2 (Tues, Sapporo) Theme: Orientation Session and Introduction of Workshop Themes |
| ● AM and PM: Orientation Session; tour onward: Hokkaido University, Hokkaido University Center for Ainu Studies, Former Hokkaido Government Building, |
| ● Late PM: Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art with object-based learning (OBL) exercises |
| June 3 (Wed, Sapporo) Theme: A Historical Overview of Hokkaido at Hokkaido Museum, Session I |
| ● AM: lectures by museum staff |
| ● PM: tour of museum and OBL exercises |
| June 4 (Thurs, Sapporo) Theme: A Historical Overview of Hokkaido at Hokkaido Museum, Session II |
| ● AM: Pioneer Village tour |
| ● PM: OBL at Hokkaido Museum or other chosen site |
| June 5 (Fri, Sapporo): Independent Research and Site Visits |
| ● Semi-guided individual site visits and research on chosen OBL themes |
| June 6 (Sat, Shiraoi) Theme: Theme: Ainu Culture |
| ● Lectures by experts on Ainu culture, history and sociology (staff and or Hokkaido University Ainu Studies Center Staff), museum visit, demonstrations |
| June 7 (Sun, Toya-Usu UNESCO Geopark) Theme: Hokkaido geology and natural environment |
| ● Tour of various geological formations, museums and displays in area |
| June 8 (Mon, Matsumae) Theme: Edo Era Hokkaido |
| ● Tour of castle, recreated Edo era Matsumae town (with assistance from Matsumae Historical Society) |
| June 9 (Tues, Hakodate) Theme: Modern Hokkaido) |
| ● Tours of Goryokaku, Treaty port area, specialized museums |
| June 10 (Wed, Hakodate) Preparation for Symposium Presentations |
| ● Independent study and assisted site visits relevant to individual projects |
| June 11 (Thurs, Hakodate) Capstone Symposium |
| ● Presentations by participants |
| June 12 (Fri) Workshop ends; participants depart. |
| July 13 (Mon) Reports due. Post-trip debriefing session (UHM) |
Note: Given the uncertainties surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 illness in Asia and elsewhere, it is possible that the tour itinerary may need to be modified or the tour itself cancelled. Any decision to do so will be based on State Department/Center for Disease Control guidelines and University policy. At this point it is impossible to predict what the situation will be in June. Accordingly, we will proceed with the review and acceptance of applications. A final decision on whether or not the tour will be conducted will be made in early April.
Click here for a PDF of this document.