PhD programs in Tokyo area
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kfrida...@gmail.com
May 15, 2024, 11:34:47 PM5/15/24
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Hello, All!
I received an email this morning from a student who has recently completed an MA in Archeology, and is currently looking for a PhD program conducted mainly in English at some institution in the Tokyo area, focusing on Edo period Archeology or History. I’m drawing a blank on places to recommend. Does anyone else have any suggestions that I could pass along?
Best,
--Karl
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カール・フライデー 歴史学博士
Karl Friday, PhD
Professor Emeritus 名誉教授
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Anna Nielsen
May 19, 2024, 11:31:23 PM5/19/24
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Dear Karl,
I've received a number of similar emails, usually asking how to join archaeological digs or enroll in Japanese archaeology programs without prior Japanese language experience. I can't always speak from personal experience, since while I'm currently affiliated with a Japanese university for my PhD research, my PhD program itself is through an overseas university. That said, I don't think there are any English-language archaeology programs, PhD or otherwise, in Tokyo or anywhere else in Japan. It IS possible, though challenging, for non-native Japanese speakers to enter an archaeology MA or PhD program in Japan; friends and acquaintances of mine have done this successfully. However, given the nature of the field and how archaeology research is conducted here, it would be all but impossible for someone who doesn't speak/read Japanese to participate in basic aspects of excavation, survey, or data collection. I really don't intend to gatekeep the aspirations of those excited about Japanese archaeology; the reality is just that fairly high-level Japanese ability is necessary to make any headway in this field, since almost all of the relevant data and site reports are available only in Japanese. However, every Japanese archaeologist I know is enthusiastic about promoting international scholarly collaboration and is supportive of young foreign-born archaeologists who show an earnest interest in Japanese cultural heritage.
My recommendation is generally for the interested student to consider applying to an overseas graduate program in English to work under a specialist in Japanese archaeology, and then at the same time to make Japanese language study a priority. Solid language skills, particularly in archaeology-specific technical terminology, will make that person a more attractive candidate for scholarly fellowship opportunities such as Fulbright or MEXT, which are possible paths to eventually participating in archaeological fieldwork in Japan.
I've received a number of similar emails, usually asking how to join archaeological digs or enroll in Japanese archaeology programs without prior Japanese language experience. I can't always speak from personal experience, since while I'm currently affiliated with a Japanese university for my PhD research, my PhD program itself is through an overseas university. That said, I don't think there are any English-language archaeology programs, PhD or otherwise, in Tokyo or anywhere else in Japan. It IS possible, though challenging, for non-native Japanese speakers to enter an archaeology MA or PhD program in Japan; friends and acquaintances of mine have done this successfully. However, given the nature of the field and how archaeology research is conducted here, it would be all but impossible for someone who doesn't speak/read Japanese to participate in basic aspects of excavation, survey, or data collection. I really don't intend to gatekeep the aspirations of those excited about Japanese archaeology; the reality is just that fairly high-level Japanese ability is necessary to make any headway in this field, since almost all of the relevant data and site reports are available only in Japanese. However, every Japanese archaeologist I know is enthusiastic about promoting international scholarly collaboration and is supportive of young foreign-born archaeologists who show an earnest interest in Japanese cultural heritage.
My recommendation is generally for the interested student to consider applying to an overseas graduate program in English to work under a specialist in Japanese archaeology, and then at the same time to make Japanese language study a priority. Solid language skills, particularly in archaeology-specific technical terminology, will make that person a more attractive candidate for scholarly fellowship opportunities such as Fulbright or MEXT, which are possible paths to eventually participating in archaeological fieldwork in Japan.
(Also Karl, I just yesterday recommended your 2004 book to someone interested in the evolution of stirrup shapes from the Kofun period to the Kamakura period. Your section on medieval horse tack may be the best overview of the topic available in English.)
My best regards,
Anna Nielsen
My best regards,
Anna Nielsen
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