ISSN 1472-6653 December 2006 Number 13 World experts select Centre of Excellence on East Asia A joint bid by the School of East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield and the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Leeds to establish an international Centre of Excellence on East Asia has been successful.

The bid was made in response to the organizing new research initiatives; Japanese imperialism. She joins the £25 million Language and Area Studies developing existing research through the cluster on East Asian identities and initiative launched jointly by the Higher appointment of research fellows; cultures. Education Funding Council, the providing young scholars with Economic and Social Research Council, postdoctoral fellowships; organizing Professor Glenn D. Hook of SEAS, the the Arts and Humanities Research conferences and workshops; and Director of the National Institute of Council and the Scottish Funding building up international networks to Japanese Studies and a member of the Council. These councils called on leading support the development of globally Executive Board of the White Rose East experts from East Asia and the United recognized research. Asia Centre, stressed the role the States as well as the United Kingdom Centre will play as a national resource: and other European countries to act as One of the first initiatives was the “the success of the bid is testimony to referees to help them to select the best selection of two White Rose Scholarship our track record as a leading trainer of bid to strengthen Britain’s research students through an open competition postgraduate research students and as a profile and specialization in Japanese in the summer of 2006. Philip Shetler- centre of international research and Chinese studies. Jones was awarded a four-year excellence. The pooling of cutting-edge scholarship that combines one year researchers from both Leeds and Drawing upon the white rose, the studying for an MA in Advanced Sheffield has enabled us to create an historical symbol of Yorkshire where Japanese Studies (Research Methods) unparalleled depth and breadth of Sheffield and Leeds are both located, and three years completing his PhD research on East Asia. The centre’s role the new centre of excellence is called dissertation on Japan’s role in as a national resource will mean the the White Rose East Asia Centre. The peacekeeping. He joins the research whole research community will be able National Institute of Japanese Studies cluster on globalization and to benefit from this new initiative.” and the National Institute of Chinese regionalization. Lisa Nye was also Studies together constitute the White awarded a four-year scholarship to For regularly updated information on the Rose East Asia Centre. pursue the same MA programme and activities of the White Rose East Asia thereafter a research project on Centre, please visit http://www.wreac.org The new Centre was launched officially on 1 September 2006. Funding of £4 million has been secured for the next five years, with the possibility of further funding to be considered in the future. The key aims of the Centre include developing an international reputation for excellence in research on East Asia; pooling the expertise in the two universities to provide high quality research training for the next generation of scholars in East Asian studies covering the disciplines of the humanities, business and social sciences;

Professor Glenn D. Hook (centre), Director of the National Institute of Japanese Studies, with the two new White Rose Scholarship students, Lisa Nye (left) and Philip Shetler-Jones (right).

EastAsia@Sheffield 1 All change in Confucius Centre developments the Distance Professor Bob Boucher, Vice- Institute in Sheffield, as reported Chancellor of the University of in the previous edition of Learning Centre Sheffield, and Professor Peter EastAsia@Sheffield. We look Fleming, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for forward to bringing you regular SEAS was sorry to say goodbye External Relations, recently visited updates on the activities of the recently to Karen Gascoigne and Sali Nanjing to sign the memorandum Confucius Institute in future Morris. Karen worked in the Distance of understanding related to the editions. Learning Centre since 1996, when establishment of the Confucius distance learning was still very new, and made a major contribution to the success of the programmes. Sali was with us for five years as a senior secretary and was a fount of knowledge on all areas of the centre’s activities. We wish them well in their future endeavours. Sandra Tassie, our new Administrative and Examinations Officer, comes well equipped to take up the challenge. A graduate of the MA in Japanese Language and Society who has worked for the past three years in other university departments, she is familiar with the workings of SEAS as well as the University. Katherine Gallagher, who has been in SEAS for over two years, moves up to take on Front row from left to right: Professor Peter Fleming, Pro-Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Sali’s role and we are now recruiting Professor Chen Jun, President of Nanjing University, and Professor Bob Boucher, Vice-Chancellor of to fill Katherine’s position. the University of Sheffield.

Local high school students get a Note on names Following East Asian convention, taste of life at SEAS the family name precedes the given name/s in Chinese, Japanese Students from three local schools – they had the chance to meet some and Korean names, unless the Lady Manners School, Wales High first-year students – David Janke particular person uses the School and Hope Valley College – (Chinese Studies with Japanese), Western name order (given name attended the third annual Taster Day Charlotte Steels (Japanese) and followed by family name) in in SEAS on 8 November 2006. Peggy Ng (Korean Studies) – to find his/her publications and/or During their visit, the students took out what they think of life as a everyday life. classes in Korean with Dr Judith student at SEAS. The visitors also Cherry and Chinese with Dr Hu had an additional, impromptu Xiao-ling. They also participated in language class when our Editor’s note seminars on the topics of “Women enthusiastic students took over the The views expressed in the in Chinese Cinema” with Dr Sarah whiteboard to explain some articles in this newsletter are Dauncey and “Why Study Japan?” Japanese grammar points and those of the individual authors with Dr Rick Siddle. At lunchtime, vocabulary. Diane Walsh, who and do not necessarily reflect accompanied a group of students those of the School of East Asian from Wales High School, told us, “it Studies and the University of was a worthwhile event and my Sheffield. students were very positive about the experience. They enjoyed the Certain images used in this Chinese film and being able to newsletter are scaled-down, participate in the guided discussion low-resolution images used to based upon it. They also particularly illustrate films or books, or to enjoyed the Chinese and Korean provide critical analysis of the language taster sessions.” content or artwork of the image. It is believed that these images From left to right: Peggy Ng, David Janke and qualify as fair use under Charlotte Steels help out at the language taster sessions. copyright law.

2 EastAsia@Sheffield Welcome to SEAS!

SEAS is delighted to welcome four new members of staff to Sheffield: Dr Jeremy Taylor as lecturer in Chinese Studies, Ms Mika Ko as lecturer in Japanese Studies, and Ms Mineko Arai and Ms Yumiko Iwashita as Japanese language teaching fellows.

Jeremy Taylor Mika Ko was educated at completed an the University of MA in Sydney and the International Australian Media Studies at National the University of University. It was Ulster in from the latter Northern Ireland institution that in 1999. She he was awarded chose Northern Yumiko Ishiwata (right) received her a PhD in 2003 for Ireland because undergraduate and postgraduate a thesis that explored the uses of she was particularly interested in education in the Department of the built environment and its links to the way the media reported political Foreign Languages of Reitaku conflicting interpretations of the conflict. She also developed an University in Japan. After graduation, colonial past in Taiwan. Since then, enthusiasm for Film Studies and she worked in Romania as a Jeremy has spent a number of years decided to undertake PhD research volunteer Japanese language teacher studying, working and conducting into contemporary Japanese cinema. for the Japan International research in Asia. He has also worked This research has focused on Cooperation Agency from 2003 to in local government, marketing and representations of minority groups 2005. This was Yumiko’s first other industries. From 2003 to 2005, in contemporary Japanese cinema experience as a language teacher he served as an advisor to Taiwan’s and how these relate to images of and she learned a great deal about Foreign Ministry, where he was Japanese national identity. For cross-cultural communication. After responsible for translation, editorial example, in the case of a popular leaving Romania, she taught and speechwriting work. He has filmmaker like Miike Takashi, she has Japanese at the University of spent most of 2006 living in explored the way in which Limerick in Ireland where she Singapore, where he has been a contemporary Japanese experienced a different teaching member of the editorial team for multiculturalism has helped to approach. Yumiko looks forward to Singapore: The Encyclopedia. maintain conventional notions of the joining and contributing to the high- Japanese nation. In the future, Mika quality Japanese language teaching Recently he has developed an is particularly interested in team at SEAS. interest in Nationalist Chinese and investigating the development of Taiwanese propaganda, with a transnational East Asian cinema and Mineko Arai (left) originally taught particular focus on the ways in its potential to challenge traditional English to Japanese children but which Nationalist Chinese leaders forms of national cinema. became more and more interested have been “deified” throughout the in teaching the Japanese language. twentieth century. For a long time, Before coming to Sheffield, Mika She came to London in 2003 and he has also been interested in worked at the University of Leeds as studied practical Japanese teaching Chinese popular culture, specifically a Japanese teaching fellow where at the Institute of International that recorded and performed in she taught the language and Education in London for one year. Hokkien (a dialect originating in contributed to a course on world After acquiring considerable China’s Fujian province, but spoken cinema. At SEAS, she will be teaching experience of teaching Japanese at widely throughout the Chinese Japanese language and contributing public secondary schools, she diaspora). His work on these and to courses focussing on Japan’s completed an MA in Applied other issues has been published in minorities and East Asian cinema. Japanese Linguistics in 2006 at the journals such as The China Mika also hopes to be able to School of Oriental and African Quarterly, Modern Chinese promote the showing and discussion Studies in the University of London. Literature and Culture and East of East Asian films. Her goals at SEAS are to support Asian History. and encourage the students and actively influence their future.

EastAsia@Sheffield 3 A baboon’s adventures A widely praised new book entitled Mr Thundermug by SEAS graduate Cornelius Medvei (MA in Advanced Chinese Studies, 2001-2) was recently published. Cornelius explains his inspiration for the book. Mr Thundermug is Anglian market town, but after I had adapt to a place where I did not the story of someone been in China for a few months, I really belong enabled me to get who arrives in a decided to relocate it. This was partly further under the skin of this strange city, squats for practical considerations - it was displaced baboon than I would with his family in a getting more and more difficult to otherwise have managed. condemned house, imagine an English town amid the learns the language, noises, sights and smells of a Chinese Mr Thundermug by Cornelius Medvei sends his offspring to the local city. But also, these new surroundings is published by Fourth Estate, price £10. primary school, is hounded by were far too interesting not to write bureaucrats, and conducts a bizarre about. Hence the slightly deranged relationship with the schoolmistress fictional version of Nanjing in which who has taught him to read. It is, I the baboon’s adventures take place. suppose, the story of an outsider Many of the illustrations, too, are trying to fit in; except that, to based on photographs I took in China. complicate matters, Mr Thundermug is a baboon. For me the book is Then there was the plot. As I was associated with the time I spent writing, I kept finding parallels living in China and studying Chinese, between the situation of Mr partly because I started writing it in Thundermug and my own experiences Nanjing, where I was working as an in Nanjing. Of course, English teacher, and finished it in his trials were more severe than Sheffield while I was doing an mine - I had a room in a university MA in Advanced Chinese Studies. But guesthouse, not a squat, and I was my Chinese experiences also had an neither hounded by bureaucrats nor influence on the story itself. arrested for indecent exposure and cruelty to animals. But I think the First of all, the setting. Originally, the stimulating, baffling and occasionally story was to take place in an East frustrating experience of trying to

Teeing up for success Congratulations to Emma Brealey takoyaki outlet (see number 11). individual winners progress to a (BA in Business Studies and Previously, the competition has run second competition between the Japanese Studies, 2006) and amongst applicants from the White White Rose universities. George George Kane (BA in Japanese Rose universities of Sheffield, and Emma recommend any Studies, 2006) whose exciting new Leeds and York. However, changes students interested in applying to business venture has won a £2,000 are being implemented so that the get their business brains into gear runners-up prize in the White Rose competition will run in each and start planning now. Centre for Enterprise (WRCE) university initially before the Business Plan Competition. The pair plans to operate golf tours in the UK for Japanese tourists, organizing everything from the itinerary to chaperoning them on their tour.

Regular readers of EastAsia@Sheffield will recall that Will Christophers, a former president of Sheffield’s award-winning Japan Society, has also been successful in this competition in the past with his

Emma Brealey (left) and George Kane (right) with Dr Bob Handscombe (centre), Director of the White Rose Centre for Enterprise and Chair of UK Science and Enterprise Centres.

4 EastAsia@Sheffield In memory of Imamura Sho–hei _ The world was saddened to hear of the recent death of Imamura Shohei, one of Japan’s most important film directors. Adam Bingham, who is writing a PhD thesis on Japanese cinema in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics at the University of Sheffield, looks back on the career of a great filmmaker.

Imamura Sho–hei passed away on industrial prosperity. The title of his and documentary. Imamura believed 30 May 2006 aged seventy-nine quasi-documentary A History of the distinction between the two to following a battle with liver cancer. Post-War Japan as told by a Bar be arbitrary and often meaningless. He is amongst the most decorated Hostess (1970) is, in this sense, He also made several potent of his country’s filmmakers, both typical of his obsession with what is documentaries for Japanese domestically and in the West. In specifically Japanese in the television, such as A Man Vanishes Japan he received the country’s two proletarian images of itinerant (1967). most prestigious awards - the actors (Stolen Desire, 1958), Japanese Academy Award for Best impoverished coal miners (My Film and the Kinema Junpo– Best Second Brother, 1959), prostitutes Film Award - on numerous (The Insect Woman, 1963), occasions and often, as with Tokugawa-era rebels and outcasts Vengeance is Mine (1979) and Black (Eijanaika, 1981), and, perhaps most Rain (1988), for the same film. In the tellingly, an isolated community of West he is one of only three primitive, incestuous tribes (The directors ever to win the Palme d’Or Profound Desire of the Gods, 1968). at Cannes for two different films: The Ballad of Narayama (1983) and The Eel (1997). Furthermore, his own film school, now known as The Japan Academy of Visual Arts, has developed talents such as Miike Takashi and has opened up an important and alternative means for young directors to enter the industry.

More importantly, as a filmmaker associated with the Japanese New One of Imamura’s final films Warm Water under a Wave of the 1960s, he played a Red Bridge (2001), which dealt with many of his favourite themes. central role in revitalizing and redefining Japanese cinema at a As can perhaps be inferred from significant period in the country’s some of the above titles, sex and the history: the beginning of the drive feminine came to dominate many towards economic expansion that _ Imamura Shohei Imamura pictures. He is often saw sweeping changes throughout quoted as saying, “I am interested in Japan. Indeed, the thematic and Imamura began his career as a the relationship of the lower part of narrative subjects of his body of director with Stolen Desire in 1958, the human body and the lower part work make him, as critics Tom Mes after having worked as an assistant of the social structure”, and this is and Jasper Sharp have noted, “one to the legendary director Ozu perhaps where Imamura’s true – of Japan’s most important cinematic Yasujiro. He first came to genius can be found. He detailed not figures” in the latter half of the international prominence with Pigs only what it means to be Japanese twentieth century. More than any of and Battleships (1961), in which his at a particular time in history, but his fellow countrymen, Imamura depiction of social upheaval centres what it means to be human, to be sought to explore and elucidate the on a young hustler and his alive. For Imamura, the simple “real” Japan; in other words, the prostitute girlfriend trying to raise pleasures are the greatest. For his unofficial underclass that has black market pigs in the shadow of audience, it is precisely those remained constant and marginalized an American battleship. Thereafter, pleasures that will endure the whilst the country’s “official” culture his filmmaking became increasingly longest. has seemingly forgotten and idiosyncratic, particularly in his betrayed its roots along the path to blurring of the lines between fiction

EastAsia@Sheffield 5 Korean Studies Award-winning conference comes research on to Sheffield Korean folklore Congratulations to Professor given on the evening of the first day James H. Grayson who was named by the Sheffield-born author as the recipient of the 2006 Margaret Drabble. The author of Barwiss Holliday Award by the seventeen novels and numerous Royal Asiatic Society. He won this works of non-fiction, Ms Drabble award for an article entitled “They spoke about how she came to write First Saw a Mirror: A Korean her novel The Red Queen, which was Folktale as a Form of Social published in 2004. The novel is set Criticism”, which was published in in part in the court intrigue of the autumn edition of The Journal eighteenth century Korea and upon of the Royal Asiatic Society. In the publication it proved to be past, the award has only been open controversial both in terms of its to UK academics but it is now open subject matter and its treatment of to submissions from any English- the subject. Ms Drabble’s speaking person and this year description of the writing of the there was competition from seven book and its reception struck a different countries. chord with the delegates and sparked a lively discussion on a range of subjects related to history, delegates from as far afield as Israel Margaret Drabble talks about her writing of The Red Queen. literature, research and literary and Australia. Although the papers composition. The momentum presented at the conference The University of Sheffield was generated by the talk continued to covered a wide range of subjects proud to host the biennial the following day’s first panel of from cinema and literature to conference of the British Association papers, which explored various politics and contemporary society, for Korean Studies, which was held themes raised by the book and they all grappled with the issues of at Halifax Hall from 6-7 September historical issues relating to the time changing generational attitudes 2006. The theme of this conference of The Red Queen. towards ageing, political was “Generations in Korea: Past, engagement and lifestyles. Sheffield Present and Future” and one of its In total, thirty-eighty people looks forward to welcoming the many highlights was a talk attended the conference including conference back in the future. New Research Postgraduate Room opened The refurbished room for research postgraduates in SEAS was formally opened on 4 October in the presence of Professor Bob Boucher, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. The programme of refurbishment was made possible through a generous gift made to the School of East Asian Studies by Professor Lee Hong Koo, who received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2002. A political scientist and professor emeritus of Seoul National University, Professor Lee was the architect of South Korea’s policy of engagement with the then Communist bloc and with North Korea called the “Northern Policy”, which became the basis of the later “Sunshine Policy.” Professor Lee was formerly Ambassador to both the United Kingdom and United States, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea. The refurbishment included the upgrading of computing equipment, new furniture and redecoration of the room to provide a significantly enhanced environment for research postgraduate students.

Kuniko Ishiguro, a PhD student, enjoys the benefits of the newly refurbished Research Postgraduate Room in SEAS

6 EastAsia@Sheffield Power to the people

Before graduating from Sheffield, Michael Smith (MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, 2005-6) spent the summer in Nagoya as an intern with one of the world’s largest power companies.

Despite its many sights, bars, clubs CEPCo’s head office in Nagoya’s under-represented in their and restaurants, one should have a central Sakae district and the advertising, I looked into the pretty good reason to visit Nagoya in company’s out-of-town Human company’s future non-industrial July and August and endure the Resources Development Centre. In customer base in the context of humidity of its rainy season and the addition to meetings and Japan’s ageing population. midsummer heat. Mine was to discussions with successive undertake an_ eight week internship company departments, our work Dormitory life also made up a with the Chubu Electric Power included one-off projects such as significant part of the placement. Of Company (CEPCo), Japan’s third presenting a proposed redesign of course, training with a UK firm often largest power producer. With Kato– the company’s English language entails similar extended periods at a Koyuki (who appeared in the film website. fully-catered training centre, but to The Last Samurai) fronting its TV stay at one and be greeted regularly marketing campaign, CEPCo is a Field trips saw us donning hard hats by the staff with the phrase o-kaeri significant regional employer and and visiting thermal power plants nasai (welcome home), is probably provides electricity to Japan’s and distribution centres, though we less common. The dormitory was manufacturing heartland, including sadly lacked the insurance cover to set within a larger complex of major firms such as Toyota, Sharp climb an electricity pole using ropes subsidized employee housing, and Japan Railways. In addition to and spiked boots! Other highlights making co-workers neighbours, and lectures, field trips and projects included seeing the robotics creating a small CEPCo village, arranged by CEPCo’s human research at Toyota’s Pavilion, visiting complete with a playground for resources team, the internship a CEPCo-owned hot spring children. My room was part- entailed living at a catered company bathhouse and observing operations Western and part-Japanese, with a dormitory in a Nagoya suburb. As at one of the control centres for combination of wooden flooring and such, this was close as you could get Japan Railways’ famous bullet train. tatami matting, and gave me just to the complete Japanese salaryman To conclude our internship we enough space to work on my MA experience in just two months. independently researched an aspect translation project in the evenings. of CECPo’s operations and Provided six days a week, the I completed my placement at presented our ideas before a small dormitory canteen food was CEPCo together with an intern from audience of the company’s staff. I consistently good, if at first Simon Fraser University in Canada. was interested in CEPCo’s heavy perilously over-plentiful; Our work hours were generally split promotion of “All Electric” houses, negotiations with the cooks between two main locations: and since retirees appeared to be eventually resulted in portions more suitable to a desk worker than a rock breaker. Visiting the canteen and the TV area daily meant frequently seeing the same set of residents, and aided in part by the on-site beer vending machines, breaking the ice and settling into dormitory life proved very straightforward.

I left Nagoya in late August, well-fed and knowing a whole lot more about the operations of Japanese utility_ firms and businesses in the Chubu region. My internship served as a valuable final phase to my MA studies and I would recommend this opportunity wholeheartedly.

_ Michael Smith outside Chubu Electrical Power Company’s Human Resources Development Centre.

EastAsia@Sheffield 7 “China in Photograph

The School of East Asian Studies up the corridors of the department an impressive collection of held its second annual “China in for many weeks whilst judging took photographs during his time there. Photographs” competition in May place. Of his winning photograph, Kes said, 2006 attracting over forty “I was just walking through the outstanding submissions from both For the second consecutive year the grounds of a Tibetan temple in undergraduate and postgraduates, prize for “Best in Show” came from Shiqu (Shershul, in Tibetan), all of whom had visited China over “The Chinese People” category, this northwest Sichuan, when I came the past couple of years. time a beautifully evocative black across the pilgrim inside one of the and white image of an old Tibetan shrines. As we were leaving she The photographs were placed into pilgrim. The photographer, Kester stopped and asked me to take her five different categories – Chinese Newill, a student on the MSc in photo. It was the perfect spot, really, landscapes, famous sites in China, Chinese Business and International as the sunlight was spilling through the Chinese people, Chinese Relations course, had spent several the doorway into the dark room, customs, and artistic images of years as a teacher in China prior to giving the photo great contrast.” China – and the displays brightened coming to Sheffield and had built up

Left: “Tibetan pilgrim” by Kester Newill (MSc in Chinese Business and International Relations).

Top: “Cherry blossoms” by Alyn Watkins (MSc in Chinese Business and International Relations).

Centre: “Mineral terraces” by Duncan Levesley (MSc in Chinese Language, Business and International Relations).

Bottom: “Everest” by Eleanor Thomas (3rd year Chinese Studies).

8 EastAsia@Sheffield hs” Competition 2006

All five of the photographs Vanessa Varvas (people), Timothy and particularly Zhang Yihua, submitted by Kes for this year’s Bentham (customs), and Gabriel Education Consul at the Consulate competition were praised highly by Chew (artistic images) – were each General of the People’s Republic of the judging panel for their content, awarded a stunning book of China in Manchester, for her composition and artistry. He will be photographs of China. As can be unstinting efforts to support the returning soon to China to take seen here, all of their photographs development of China-related more photographs with his prize – a demonstrate the highly photogenic activities at Sheffield. digital camera – when he takes up nature of the Chinese landscape, its his new post as education advisor to buildings and its people and further See number 11 of Qingyang County Education Bureau, underline China’s cultural appeal to EastAsia@Sheffield for some of the in Gansu Province. the outside world. winners of the first “China in Photographs” competition held in The winners of the other categories The competition organizers would 2005. – Duncan Levesley (landscape), like to thank the Chinese Ministry of Eleanor Thomas (famous sites), Education for its generous support,

Above: “Train attendant” by Gabriel Chew (3rd year Chinese Studies and Business Studies).

Above right: “Child begging” by Vanessa Varvas (MSc in Chinese Language, Business and International Relations).

Right top: “Harvest time” by Timothy Bentham (3rd year Chinese Studies with Japanese).

Right bottom: “Red panda” by Victoria Cleeve (3rd year Chinese Studies and Business Studies).

Recent collections of photographs from China Burtynsky, China: The Photographs of Edward Burtynsky (published by Steidl Verlag, 2005) – images of the industrial and urban transformation of China, exploring in particular the intricate link between industry and nature.

China (published by Harry N. Abrams, 2003) – part of Yann Layma’s extensive and stunning collection, covering every aspect of China as a country and a people, and complemented by a series of related essays.

China: In the Kingdom of the Dragon (published by White Star, 2005) – a mix of the ancient and the futuristic, the ethereal and the everyday, the natural and the architectural, with photographs supported by writings on the subjects.

Liu Zheng: The Chinese (published by Steidl Verlag, 2004) – a dark vision of China with images ranging from coal miners to homeless children, transvestite performers to Buddhist monks, prison inmates to the dead and dying.

Spectacular China (published by Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, 1997) – 180 colour plates, some folding out to nearly four feet wide, give an idea of the scale and magnificence of China’s landscape, and historical and cultural treasures.

EastAsia@Sheffield 9 Promoting Sheffield in Japan After graduation, Satsuki Fujii (BA in Chinese Studies, 2001) returned to Japan and now provides guidance and advice to students considering studying in the UK.

graduated feeling confident in my international offices of each UK own abilities and knowledge. academic institution and I am responsible for developing and After being awarded my bachelor’s supporting academic links and degree, I returned to Tokyo and exchanges between Japanese and began work at a company UK institutions. The University of manufacturing valves used in a wide Sheffield is one of the most popular range of industries including the destinations for Japanese students semiconductor sector. I had to deal and my degree course experience with customers mainly from Taiwan has given me an obvious advantage and mainland China and made in this area. I have been working at Satsuki Fujii in front of the University of Sheffield’s booth at a recent British Council education fair frequent business trips there. the BEO for about two years now in Tokyo. Thanks to my studies at Sheffield, I and I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of was the first employee to possess the job, especially the environment Doing a degree at Sheffield had a fluency in Chinese as well as and the variety of people I massive impact on my life and I am Japanese and English, and so I was encounter. You really need to be sure that my career would not have given several opportunities to dedicated to succeed at this job and followed the path it has if I had not accompany the company’s president currently I could not be happier chosen Chinese Studies at SEAS. I on trips to Shanghai and work as an doing what I do now. decided to study Chinese based on interpreter at top executive the School’s good reputation and meetings in Taipei. I would never Studying at Sheffield gave me the was attracted by the flexibility have been given these opportunities exposure I needed and the chance offered on the course as well as the without my speaking ability in to learn in a multicultural friendly and international Chinese. environment. It made a deep and surroundings. The course itself was lasting impression on me and very demanding throughout the four After acquiring three years of work equipped me with the experience years. However, the consistent experience, I made a career move and knowledge upon which I have support of teachers and classmates and joined the British Education been able to draw readily and the well-structured and Office (BEO, more information can throughout my working life here in practical teaching methods enabled be found at http://www.beo.jp). We Tokyo. me to meet these challenges and I work in collaboration with the Return to Nagoya George Kane (BA in Japanese his capacity as a NUPACE fellow to and made contacts that will help Studies, 2006) recently returned relate his own experience of being in my future career.” to Nagoya University in Japan on the programme and assess what

where he spent a year studying on value it had added to his time in George Kane talks about his experience of the Nagoya University Programme Japan. studying in Japan. for Academic Exchange (NUPACE) as part of his undergraduate George spoke specifically about how degree at SEAS. George was the experience had shaped his invited to attend a reunion to perceptions of Japan and what he celebrate the tenth anniversary of had learned about how people from NUPACE. other countries perceive the UK. George believes that, “my year However it was not just a reunion, abroad has definitely changed my but also an opportunity to review life and I am very grateful to all the foreign exchange programmes as a staff at SEAS who encouraged me to whole and evaluate what students go. I managed to build wonderful had gained out of participating in relationships with both students NUPACE. George participated in and staff there

10 EastAsia@Sheffield Screening disability in China Dr Sarah Dauncey, lecturer in Chinese society and Chinese-English translation, has opened up a new field of research into the portrayal of disability in Chinese film.

Hollywood’s fascination with had to remain paradigms of that disability could increase disability goes back to its very socialist ideals of the healthy body success internationally. Two films earliest days. From The – heroic characters literally had to – Happy Times (Zhang Yimou) Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), look good, physically and mentally and Breaking the Silence (Sun through My Left Foot (1989), to – and so impairment was rarely Zhou) – both released in 2000 the controversial Special Olympics seen in film. made substantial reference to comedy The Ringer (2005), disability, although this was not images of impairment, positive By contrast, the death of Mao in the original intention in either and negative, have regularly 1976 saw new directions in case. Both directors admit that appeared in its films. But what of political thinking actively promote the disabled leads (a visually- Chinese film? With a disabled the inclusion of disability. The impaired girl and a hearing- population currently estimated at vanguard of this new trend was impaired boy respectively) were 60 million (5 per cent of the Xie Jin who, with a deaf-mute added to provide “extra interest” population) one might assume teenager as the lead in his film and proved to be successful. that China, too, would have a Youth (1977), shifted attention similar tradition. from the able-bodied Over thirty films featuring revolutionary of old to a new type disability have been produced by Yet, my recent research has of heroine. As the father of two Chinese filmmakers since 1977. revealed a cinematic history learning-impaired children And whilst many of them might punctuated by distinct periods of himself, his cinematic and private incur the wrath of disability disinterest and interest in interests coincide more closely in activists for their sometimes disability. Although the early part Venus (1991), in which an eight- stereotypical portraits of people of the last century in China saw year-old child with learning with impairments, the fact that the appearance of a handful of difficulties finds inspiration at a these films are being produced at films featuring disability, following special school. all indicates a shift in attitudes. the establishment of the People’s Like Hollywood, it will take time Republic of China in 1949 there By this time, a decade of for more nuanced portrayals to was an absence of any substantial international disability activism appear and, who knows, perhaps reference to people with had encouraged the government China too will reach the stage impairments. This apparent to consider disability seriously. In where disabled people can have disinterest lasted right up to the an attempt to enhance the last laugh with their very own end of the Cultural Revolution perceptions of China’s level of The Ringer. when films once more began to civilization, films such as Venus focus on this topic at an ever were promoted for their positive increasing rate. treatments of disability. Wang Sun Liying (played by Gong Li) attempts in vain to get her hearing-impaired son accepted into a Xingdong’s Probation within the mainstream school in Breaking the Silence. The near absence of disability Village (1994), in which a portrayal during the Mao era can disgraced official redeems himself be explained by the increasing through service in a mute politicization of film that narrowed community, and Chen Guoxing’s the possibilities for filmmakers. Colours of the Blind (1997), a film The primacy of collective goals that highlights disabled sporting over individual concerns achievement, were among those combined with an unswerving singled out for awards. focus on strong revolutionary heroes reduced the need for Whilst some directors benefited portrayals of disability in any way, domestically from enhanced shape or form. All visual images publicity, other directors found

EastAsia@Sheffield 11 Fifteen years of collaboration between Sheffield and Routledge

The series of books published by Routledge in association with the Centre for Japanese Studies in SEAS now stands at over thirty volumes. Professor Glenn D. Hook, editor of the series, reflects on the fifteen-year history of the series and looks ahead to its future.

The history of the Sheffield Centre proved very popular and is now in Japanese Foundation was held on for Japanese Studies/Routledge its second edition. 26 September 2006 and provided series goes back to the late 1980s the editors with an opportunity to and to discussions I had at the time The series is highly responsive to the thank the sponsors and contributors with Peter Sowden, a Routledge needs of its readers. Recently a as well as to introduce the three publisher, shortly after I took up my meeting was held between UK and works to a wide audience. post at Sheffield. The series was Japanese research funding bodies, launched with the aim of enhancing the British Association for Japanese The future of the series seems the research profile of Japanese Studies (BAJS), and other interested secure, despite the up and downs of studies in the UK in the context of a parties to identify important gaps in the publishing trade. The volumes in lack of scholarly works on Japan in the literature on Japanese Studies. It the series have been well received the English-speaking world. Although was felt that these three subjects and as Professor T. J. Pempel, the Japanese Studies is in a much were the “other” in Japanese Director of the Institute of East Asian healthier state today, the purpose of literature, modern and Studies at the University of California the series remains the same as when contemporary nationalism, and (Berkeley), says, “the partnership it was launched: to make available governance in Japan. With the between Sheffield and Routledge original research on a wide range of support of a number of generous has given the field of Japanese subjects dealing with Japan and sponsors, the following books were Studies an ongoing stream of provide introductory overviews of published in the series: Representing excellent publications on key topics in Japanese Studies. the Other in Modern Japanese contemporary Japan. Scholars Literature: a critical approach, edited worldwide have benefited greatly.” The first book, The by Rachael Hutchinson and Mark Internationalization of Japan, Williams; Nationalisms in Japan, Anyone interested in submitting a appeared in 1992 and a total of thirty- edited by Naoko Shimazu; and proposal for consideration should, in four volumes have been published in Contested Governance in Japan: sites the first instance, contact Ms the meantime, with two more and issues, edited by myself. A joint Stephanie Rogers at Routledge: planned for publication early in 2007. book launch at the Daiwa Anglo- [email protected]. The editorial policy has been based upon publishing upcoming, as well as established, scholars and the emphasis has overwhelmingly been placed on books that present original research in the social sciences, although the recently published Representing the Other in Modern Japanese Literature provides a volume where all the chapters are written by specialists in the humanities. In addition, Japan’s International Relations: Politics, Economics and Security is a unique example of considerable original research presented in the form of an introductory textbook. It has

The Sheffield Centre for Japanese Studies/Routledge series stands at almost forty volumes.

12 EastAsia@Sheffield Beijing arts scene

After graduation, Claudia Albertini (MA in Advanced Chinese Studies, 2003-4) headed to Beijing and began work at 798 Space, the leading venue for the contemporary arts in China.

At the end of the 1980s, the outskirts of the city where they had Dashanzi district in the north-east settled a decade or so earlier. Once grey and oppressive, Dashanzi suburbs of Beijing was nothing more has now become colourful. The spectacular than a vast expanse of Since that time, 798 Space has feeling of abandonment and the flatland covered by semi-modern become a vibrant cradle for derelict buildings are now things of buildings. It appeared to be just one contemporary Chinese artistic the past and the current more victim of the rapid processes expression. It provides a central atmosphere seems to embrace the of urbanization that went hand in meeting point for contemporary audience in a shared space where hand with China’s incredible artists where their ideas can grow they can interact freely. In a sense, economic growth. Only the so-called and be put into form. Galleries have 798 Space is a machine producing “Factory 798”, a massive and derelict steadily emerged within the space something that until now had been industrial complex, appeared to provided and created a new market considered pointless in China’s stand out in relief. It was the biggest in contemporary Chinese art. Cafés rapidly developing market economy high-technology plant in China, 620 and restaurants have also been but whose importance is beginning square metres of factory built in the opened to provide alternative venues to be recognized. From exhibitions Bauhaus-style in the 1950s with the to what is on offer elsewhere in the to art festivals, performances to support of the East German city. Today, 798 Space represents a press conferences – the factory is government. The immediate vicinity new factory of sorts. It is here that on everybody’s lips, creating a was empty except for the open original ideas can be realized in a vibrant and new artistic countryside and the tree-lined variety of forms: electronically, on environment and fostering motorways that led to the airport. canvas or in a dark room. These discussion of what Beijing tells us works have commanded considerable about its shapes and forms, its This hardly seemed a likely site for attention and elicited various spaces and its people. It is here at the development of an artistic emotions. Visitors look around with 798 Space that the old, present and community. But in the early 1990s extreme curiosity, collectors take future Beijing meet. some of Beijing’s avant-garde artists the opportunity to buy up pieces started moving to the factory, in from this new period in the history For more information on 798 Space, their search for cheap of the Chinese art scene, and artists please visit http://www.798space.com accommodation, after they were can get their faces on the cover of evicted from the north-western international art magazines.

The Exhibition Hall at 798 Space (photographs courtesy of 798 Space).

EastAsia@Sheffield 13 Office angels To many students and visitors they are the face of the School. To the staff they provide the support without which they could not do their jobs. Susie Tranter introduces the School’s secretaries.

Let me introduce you to the SEAS academics alike. In fact, try as you records are maintained and the Office team. We are, in alphabetical might, you would be hard-pushed timetable is prepared and adjusted order and without reference to to avoid coming into contact with (then re-adjusted). The sensitive details such as age and us at some point. If and when you departmental finances and rank, Jenny, Lisa, Lynne and myself, do, I can assure you that we will try individual budgets are kept in check Susie. We can usually be found our best to offer assistance - or by Lisa’s watchful and efficient eye. hard at work in our reasonably even a shoulder to cry on, should And if you ever find the reception spacious and busy office on floor the need arise! desk covered in cakes and other five of the Arts Tower – the local goodies, it is not our lunch just one landmark and eighteen-storey A lot of what we do revolves around of our occasional efforts to raise example of 1960s architecture that, our students and their courses and funds for some deserving charity. it is said, boasts one of the largest there are quite a variety of degree cyclic elevators, otherwise known combinations to choose from, We also deal with the outside as a “paternoster”, in Europe. especially at undergraduate level. It world in a variety of ways. is wonderful to be able to follow a Whenever somewhere in East Asia We like to think that we are the student’s progress from the time crops up in the news (for example “heart” of the department they become a member of the it was recently North Korea’s although, in reality, we are all at department to his/her graduation. nuclear tests), we receive calls the mercy of the networked We process hundreds of from all the major media outlets printer/photocopier – a highly undergraduate and taught requesting a comment from an sensitive piece of technology with postgraduate application forms academic. And then there are the an uncanny ability to break down during the year and organize Open more unusual requests from the at the most inappropriate of Days and visits, refreshments and so public. I remember a telephone moments. Apart from the usual on. Our office is the place where the call from an elderly gentleman who secretarial matters, we deal with all-important preparation of was stuck on two particular all manner of inquiries during the examination papers is coordinated, crossword clues: a Japanese working day and are the first port students submit their essays, sliding_ paper screen, five letters… of call for students, visitors and module marks are collated, student shoji; and an oblong Japanese coin with a hole_ in the centre, four letters… oban. And then there was the lady whose cat called “Susie” (a complete coincidence, I assure you) had made a mess of her favourite Japanese textile and she was desperate for a translation of the washing instructions! Talking of textiles, when you next come into the main office do not miss the kimono of the month decorating the office wall.

Oh, and finally, who are the people responsible for sending out this newsletter when it is issued? You guessed it!

The SEAS Office team (from left to right): Lisa Knowles, Susie Tranter, Lynne Whydle and Jenny Leech.

14 EastAsia@Sheffield Three new books by SEAS staff

The Group of 7/8 Hugo Dobson Routledge, 2007

Part of Routledge’s leading “Global Institutions Series” and written in the aftermath of the Gleneagles Summit of 2005, this book is a highly accessible, up-to-date introduction to the history, present and future of the Group of 7/8. Dr Hugo Dobson examines this unique forum and the role it plays in global governance by emphasizing its relationship to the more formal and truly institutionalized mechanisms of global governance: the United Nations, World Bank and so on. Divided into six informative Japanese Responses to chapters, this volume provides the Perspectives on Work, Globalization: politics, reader with a single and concise Employment and Society security, economics and point-of-entry to this often overlooked subject. The Group of in Japan business 7/8 is a core introductory guide and Edited by Peter Matanle and Wim Edited by Glenn D. Hook and an essential purchase for students Lunsing Harukiyo Hasegawa in the field of international relations. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 Subjects of interest to students of East Asian politics in particular This edited book presents a range This edited book finds its origins in include Japan’s role as a core of different perspectives on how papers first presented at the member of the G8 and China’s work and employment are fortieth anniversary conference of possible inclusion in the future. developing in a rapidly changing the Centre for Japanese Studies at contemporary Japan. The the University of Sheffield in 2002 contributing authors show both how (see number 7 of the Japanese employment system is EastAsia@Sheffield). It presents the evolving as well as how the current thinking of leading Japanese meanings that individual Japanese researchers on Japan’s responses to attach to their work and globalization in the fields of politics, employment are developing. It is security, economics and business. essential reading for anyone with an The first part on politics and interest in work and employment in security examines topics such as the Japan, from scholars and specialists impact of globalization on domestic in human resource management, to politics, the response to the post- economists, sociologists and 9/11 order, and the creation of anthropologists. Dr Peter Matanle security communities in East Asia. hopes that “this book will help The second part on economics and scholars and students in the business takes up the corporate sociology of work to understand response to globalization, the rise of more deeply the multi-layered China and the government’s complexity of working in Japan response to institutions like the today.” World Bank. In all, Professor Glenn D. Hook believes that “Japanese Responses to Globalization offers up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of how the Japanese government, corporations and people are taking up the challenge of globalization.”

EastAsia@Sheffield 15 2006 graduates and prize-winners

SEAS was delighted to see twenty- seven of its students graduate at a ceremony held on 21 July 2006.

In East Asian Studies, Lisa Nye was awarded both a first-class honours degree and the R. B. Sloss Prize for her performance. Professor Tim Wright, Chair of the School of East Asian Studies, commented that, “Lisa is an outstanding winner of the R. B. Sloss Prize, with excellent marks in a wide range of modules. As a marker of her undergraduate Professor Tim Wright (centre), Chair of the School of East Asian Studies, with Lisa Nye (right), who graduated with a first-class honours degree in East Asian Studies and was awarded the R. B. Sloss Prize, and Lars Layfield (left), dissertation I can say it was the best who also gained a first-class honours degree in Japanese Studies and was awarded the Margaret Daniels prize. and most theoretically sophisticated I have seen at Sheffield.” Lisa has been selected as one of the first East Asian Studies degrees White Rose Scholarship students (see front page). The School of East Asian Studies offers a wide range of single and dual honours degrees, as well as postgraduate taught and research In Japanese Studies, Lars Layfield degrees. For further information, contact [email protected], or also gained a first-class honours see the School’s webpages: http://www.shef.ac.uk/seas degree and was awarded the Margaret Daniels Prize. Professor BA degrees Postgraduate taught degrees Wright noted that, “Lars Layfield Most degrees involve four years of In-house joins a long list of top-ranking study. Those marked with an asterisk MA/Diploma/Certificate in Chinese winners of the Margaret Daniels take three years Studies Prize. He had excellent marks MSc/Diploma/Certificate in Chinese Single honours especially in the language Business and International Relations Chinese Studies modules. On top of all that he is a MSc/Diploma/Certificate in Chinese Japanese Studies national champion in ice dancing!” Language, Business and International SEAS wishes its graduates every Korean Studies Relations East Asian Studies* success in their chosen careers. MA/Diploma/Certificate in Japanese Studies Dual honours MA/Diploma/Certificate in Advanced Chinese Studies and /Business Studies, Japanese Studies History, Music Chinese Studies with /Japanese, French, MA/Diploma/Certificate in Modern German, Spanish, Russian Korean Studies EASTASIA@SHEFFIELD MSc/Diploma/Certificate in East Asian Japanese Studies and /Business Studies, is published by the School of East Asian Politics, Sociology, Linguistics, History Political Economy Studies at the University of Sheffield. Japanese Studies with /Korean, German, MSc/Diploma/Certificate in East Asian Spanish, Russian Business Enquiries to: French/Germanic/Hispanic/Russian Studies with Japanese Dr Hugo Dobson Distance learning Korean Studies and /Business Studies, Editor Linguistics, Music MA/Diploma in Japanese Language and Society East Asian Studies and /Business Studies, Russian Studies, Music* MA in Advanced Japanese Studies EASTASIA@SHEFFIELD International Politics and East Asian MSc in Chinese Business and Studies* International Relations School of East Asian Studies MSc/Diploma in Chinese Language, The University of Sheffield Business and International Relations Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom

Postgraduate research degrees Tel: +44 (0) 114 222 8437 Email: [email protected] PhD supervision in a wide range of subject areas on China, Japan, Korea and Copyright © 2006 The University of Sheffield intra-regional studies TUOS161 Design and Print: Northend Creative Print Solutions, Sheffield

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