Publication title:More Swindles from the Late Ming: Sex, Scams, and Sorcery
Publication year: 2024
Author: Translated by Christopher Rea and Bruce Rusk
About the book
A woman seduces her landlord to extort the family farm. Gamblers recruit a wily prostitute to get a rich young man back in the game. Silver counterfeiters wreak havoc for traveling merchants. A wealthy widow is drugged and robbed by a lodger posing as a well-to-do student. Vengeful judges and corrupt clerks pervert the course of justice. Cunning soothsayers spur on a plot to overthrow the emperor. Yet good sometimes triumphs, as when amateur sleuths track down a crew of homicidal boatmen or a cold-case murder is exposed by a frog. These are just a few of the tales of crime and depravity appearing in More Swindles from the Late Ming, a book that offers a panorama of vice—and words of warning—from one seventeenth-century writer.
This companion volume to The Book of Swindles: Selections from a Late Ming Collection presents sensational stories of scams that range from the ingenious to the absurd to the lurid, many featuring sorcery, sex, and extreme violence. Together, the two volumes represent the first complete translation into any language of a landmark Chinese anthology, making an essential contribution to the global literature of trickery and fraud. An introduction explores the geography of grift, the role of sex and family relations, and the portrayal of Buddhist clergy and others claiming supernatural powers. Opening a window onto the colorful world of crime and deception in late imperial China, this book testifies to the enduring popularity of stories about scoundrels and their schemes.
Publication title:Hyakunin’shu: Reading the Hundred Poets in Late Edo Japan
Publication year: 2024
Author: Joshua S. Mostow
About the book
Hyakunin’shu: Reading the Hundred Poets in Late Edo Japan explores the “popular literary literacy” of the Japanese at the edge of modernity. By reproducing and translating a well-known annotated and illustrated Ansei-era (1854–1859) edition of the Hyakunin isshu—for hundreds of years the most basic and best-known waka primer in the entire Japanese literary canon—Joshua Mostow reveals how commoners of the time made sense of the collection. Thanks to the popularization of the poems in the early modern period and the advent of commercial publishing, the Hyakunin’shu (as it was commonly called) was no longer the exclusive intellectual property of the upper classes but part of a poetic heritage shared by all literate Japanese.
Mostow traces the Hyakunin’shu’s history from the first published collections in the early sixteenth century and printed commentaries of formerly esoteric and secret exegesis to later editions that include imagined portraits of the poets and, ultimately, pictures of the “heart”—pictorializations of the meaning of the poems themselves. His study illuminates the importance of “variant One Hundred Poets,” such as the Warrior One Hundred Poets, in popularizing the collection and the work’s strong association with feminine education from the early eighteenth century onward. The National Learning (Kokugaku) movement pursued a philological analysis of the poems, leading to translations of the Hyakunin’shu into contemporary, vernacular, spoken Japanese. The poems eventually served as the basis of a card game that became a staple of New Year festivities.
This volume presents some innovations in translating premodern Japanese poetry: in the Introduction, Mostow considers the Hyakunin’shu’s reception during the Edo, when male homoerotic relationships were taken for granted, and makes the case for his translating the love poems in a non-heteronormative way. In addition, the translated poems are lineated to give readers a sense of the original edition’s chirashi-gaki, or “scattered writing,” allowing them to see how each poem’s sematic elements are distributed on the page.
Publication title:Migration and the Politics of Methodology: Doing Fieldwork, Decentring Power, and Foregrounding Migrants’ Perspectives
Publication year: 2025
Author: Co-edited by Ayaka Yoshimizu, Kirsten Emiko McAllister, and Daniel Ahadi
About the book
This volume examines the politics of fieldwork and the challenges of researching migrants constructed as outsiders both nationally and transnationally. Based on research with undocumented migrants, temporary workers, refugees, international students, and those who, having received citizenship status find their lives to be discursively and legally restricted, it shows how interdisciplinary fieldwork-based approaches can provide detailed accounts of migrants’ voices and their conditions of existence, offering insights into the ways in which they understand and take part in producing their transnational worlds. Applying critical, self-reflexive methodological approaches that challenge assumptions about who has the authority to produce knowledge and what types of knowledge have the authority of truth, Migration and the Politics of Methodology will appeal to scholars of sociology, anthropology, geography, and communication and cultural studies with interests in research methods and migration.
In this emblematic selection of her stories, Oh Jung-hee probes beneath the surface of seemingly quotidian lives to expose nightmarish family configurations warped by desertion, psychosis, and death. In ‘Chinatown’ a young girl living on the edge of the city’s Chinese community comes of age among mundane violences, collisions with adult sexuality and the American occupation; in ‘The Garden Party’ a woman grapples with her conflicting identities of wife, mother and writer at an alcohol-fuelled gathering.
Throughout a career spanning six decades, Oh Jung-hee has drawn comparisons to Alice Munro, Virginia Woolf, and Joyce Carol Oates, and is assuredly a trailblazing writer.
Call for Applications: Geiss Hsu Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ming Studies at the University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver campus, invites applications for the Geiss Hsu Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ming Studies, starting September 1, 2025. This two-year fellowship will support a scholar in any discipline who studies the Ming Dynasty or a closely-related field, including research that connects the Ming with other time periods and studies of Ming relations with other regions. The fellow will be housed in and supported by the Department of Asian Studies but may be sponsored by a faculty member in any department.
UBC has a long tradition of advanced training in Ming Studies. The China History research cluster hosts a regular work-in-progress series for scholars of Chinese history, which alternates fortnightly with the Ming & More text-reading group that focuses on primary material in Literary Sinitic from the Ming and other periods and regions. The Centre for Chinese Research, part of the Institute for Asian Research, supports interdisciplinary and public-facing scholarship on China.
Fellowship Terms
The fellowship will run from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027. The fellow will receive a salary of $80,000 (all amounts in Canadian dollars) and extended health and dental coverage. Up to $5,000 in relocation costs may be reimbursed. The fellow will also have access to $5,000 in research funds each year. No teaching is required, but fellows are eligible to apply to teach one or more courses in a relevant department at UBC. The fellow is expected to give at least one public presentation about their research and to organize a workshop, small conference, or similar event in the second year of the fellowship. Up to $20,000 will be provided to cover the cost of this event. The Centre for Chinese Research will provide workspace and research assistant support.
The position is open to scholars who have received their PhD (or equivalent degree such as DPhil) on or before July 1, 2025, or up to five years earlier (not earlier than July 1, 2020), with allowances for career interruptions due to personal circumstances. The degree may be from any recognized institution other than UBC. There is no citizenship requirement, but non-Canadian applicants must be able to meet all immigration requirements to be eligible for employment in Canada. A sufficient command of English is expected.
Application Process
This position was made possible in part by an award from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation. It is also supported by UBC’s Department of Asian Studies and Centre for Chinese Research.
Contacting a UBC faculty member who can act as a sponsor is highly recommended. Faculty working in Ming studies and adjacent fields include:
D. Alison Bailey (Asian Studies)
Nam-Lin Hur (Asian Studies)
Ross King (Asian Studies)
Julia Orell (Art History)
Bruce Rusk (Asian Studies)
Leo K. Shin (History/Asian Studies)
Shoufu Yin (History)
All applications must be submitted via the application form by January 15, 2025. Please provide the following documents:
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Research plan (up to five pages, double-spaced)
Writing sample (up to 30 pages)
Confirmation of PhD (or DPhil), or supervisor/department confirmation of expected completion date
Explanation for career interruption (if applicable; up to one page)
Names and contact information for three references
Applicants are encouraged to complete the voluntary and anonymous Equity Survey linked at the bottom of this page. Please direct any inquiries to asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca.
Applicants should provide names and contact information for three references willing to submit a confidential letter of recommendation. We will request letters directly once the application is submitted, and referees should send letters to asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca by the application deadline.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
Publication title:Passing, Posing, Persuasion: Cultural Production and Coloniality in Japan’s East Asian Empire
Publication year: 2023
Author: Edited by Christina Yi, Andre Haag, and Catherine Ryu
About the book
Passing, Posing, Persuasion interrogates the intersections between cultural production, identity, and persuasive messaging that idealized inclusion and unity across Japan’s East Asian empire (1895–1945). Japanese propagandists drew on a pan-Asian rhetoric that sought to persuade colonial subjects to identify with the empire while simultaneously maintaining the distinctions that subjugated them and marking their attempts to self-identify as Japanese as inauthentic, illegitimate forms of “passing” or “posing.” Visions of inclusion encouraged assimilation but also threatened to disrupt the very logic of imperialism itself: If there was no immutable difference between Taiwanese and Japanese subjects, for example, then what justified the subordination of the former to the latter? The chapters emphasize the plurality and heterogeneity of empire, together with the contradictions and tensions of its ideologies of race, nation, and ethnicity.
Every early September, a remarkable day of discovery awaits as Imagine UBCunveils a world of connections and experiences, where new students unite, professors inspire, and countless pathways to involvement beckon at every turn.
This year, the Chinese Language Program(CLP) joined forces with other renowned language programs within the Faculty of Arts at the Asian Studies booth. Together, they aimed to foster a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere, all in celebration of the incredible potential for enhancing the student experience.
Work Learn students and Lecturer Li-Jung Lee (right) welcoming passersby
At the Imagine UBC booth, our dedicated team, including volunteers, Work Learn students, and CLP instructors, kicked off the day by donning traditional Chinese attire, including Qipao and Hanfu. This visually captivating display of culture served as a compelling introduction, inspiring interest in the Chinese language and its rich traditions. Highlighting these elegant outfits not only showcased the beauty of Chinese culture but also piqued students’ curiosity, encouraging them to explore and engage with our language program.
Work Learn students enthusiastically presenting Chinese language courses to the audience
Work Learn students eagerly responding to questions about Chinese language courses
As a wave of inquisitive students flooded into the Buchanan courtyard to discover the Imagine Day booths, the CLP team orchestrated a series of interactive and informative activities. These activities aimed to showcase the enjoyable and engaging facets of learning Chinese. Our dedicated volunteers and instructors were readily available to walk students through the diverse range of curriculum options at their fingertips. Whether they were beginners looking for introductory courses or advanced learners seeking to delve into topics like history, literature, and contemporary issues, students could envision the comprehensive and personalized learning journey that UBC provides to cater to their interests and proficiency levels.
Professor Xiaowen Xu (left) and Lecturer Li-Jung Lee (right) greeting new students
Beyond the course exploration, the event infused an element of enjoyment and engagement. Interactive games and trivia were seamlessly woven into the program, infusing the day with laughter and excitement. Numerous students reconnected with former classmates and engaged in lively conversations with their Chinese instructors, capturing the moments with commemorative photos. These activities not only heightened the event’s overall enjoyment but also underscored the notion that language learning can indeed be a gratifying and fulfilling journey.
Spreading good fortune: Lecturer Xueshun Liu in a red Fortune God outfit strikes a pose with students
Work Learn students in traditional attire engaging with visitors
To help new students envision their future academic and cultural journeys at UBC, we invited former Chinese language learners to share their own experiences.
Samantha Ong, a fourth-year Asian Studies student currently enrolled in CHIN 345, shares her language learning journey. While primarily taking non-heritage courses in the past, Samantha embraces the challenge of stepping outside her comfort zone to achieve new language milestones. She’s excited to push herself and enhance her Chinese language skills in an engaging learning environment.
Throughout the past year, Samantha actively participated in various CLP events and activities as part of her language-learning adventure. These experiences provided unique opportunities for interactions with Chinese speakers, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the rich culture and traditions associated with the language.
Samantha Ong, a 4th-year student majoring in Asian Language and Culture
“I have always felt that the CLP community is a very supportive and close-knit group, so I feel enthusiastic about learning Chinese and comfortable approaching others for help inside and outside the classroom” – Samantha Ong, a student in CHIN 345
Adam Abraham, a History major, reflects on his journey of learning Chinese. His initial motivation stemmed from his study of East Asian history, where he realized that proficiency in the language was essential for immersing himself in the historical and cultural narratives of the region. Adam’s experience demonstrates the transformative power of language education. It equipped him with the linguistic skills necessary to delve deeper into East Asian history and enabled him to actively engage in the diverse and inclusive UBC community.
Adam Abraham, a 4th-year student majoring in History
“Having previously taken Mandarin at UBC for two years, I enjoyed being in a rich environment with an abundance of resources available for students. My language learning experience has given me a larger perspective both linguistically and on the community here at university.” – Adam Abraham, a previous student in CHIN 233
For faculty members like Dr. Yuqing Liu, Lecturer in Chinese Language and Literature, this day offers an early chance to connect with enthusiastic students and reignite their passion for bringing fresh energy into the classrooms. Dr. Liu remarks, “Encountering numerous new faces and witnessing students’ interest in Chinese literature has been truly inspiring throughout the day of Imagine UBC. I eagerly anticipate introducing students to classical Chinese poetry and modern Chinese literature in upcoming terms, with the hope that they will find joy in immersing themselves in fascinating literary works.”
Dr. Yuqing Liu, Lecturer in Chinese Language and Literature
“The Chinese Language Program is like a big family with many excellent WorkLearns, volunteers, and professors who all support each other within this inclusive and welcoming community.” – Dr. Yuqing Liu, Lecturer in Chinese Language and Literature
Imagine UBC set the stage for an electrifying and unforgettable launch of the new academic year at UBC, and the thrill continues unabated. We wholeheartedly invite you to stay attuned to CLP’s forthcoming events, workshops, and resources, all meticulously crafted to keep you actively involved and ensure you extract the utmost from your university journey. There’s a wealth of enriching experiences yet to unfold!
Follow us on IG @ubcchinese for more exciting updates.
Written by Angelia Tu
Photos by Manyi Chen
Recap Video by Molly Liao
Publication title: Khiyaalon Ka Savera (The Morning of Thoughts)
Publication year: 2023
Author: Gurinder Mann
About the book
Khiyaalon Ka Savera (The Morning of Thoughts) is a book of Hindi and Urdu poetry, written in the Devanagari (Hindi) script, by Gurinder Mann. His poems refer to diverse subjects, and he uses a variety of literary tools to exemplify emotions on various topics.
The Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, invites applications for a tenure-track position in the field of Japanese Applied Linguistics at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching, with responsibility for teaching undergraduate courses at all levels, developing curriculum in Japanese language and culture, and coordinating portions of the Japanese language program. Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching in and coordinating a Japanese language program at the post-secondary level in North America.
Requirements include: advanced proficiency in Japanese and English; a Ph.D. in Japanese Language and Linguistics, Japanese Applied Linguistics, Japanese language pedagogy, or a closely-related field; exceptional organizational and leadership skills; evidence of experience and excellent teaching ability in Japanese at the post-secondary level in North America; experience preparing teaching materials independently or collaboratively; a strong track record of full participation in team work and program affairs; and evidence of keeping abreast with recent developments in the field. Individuals with experience in community outreach, program coordination and design, and teaching innovative Content-Based Instruction (CBI) curriculum for advanced learners of Japanese are particularly encouraged to apply. We seek an exceptional teacher with a track record of (or demonstrated potential for) employing innovative pedagogies in their own classrooms, such as community-based learning, flexible and/or online learning, and the potential to coordinate such classes. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an excellent record of teaching, service, and educational leadership.
The normal teaching load of an Assistant Professor of Teaching 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 may also be assigned program coordination duties. Where a significant level of additional service is assigned, teaching reduction may be granted.
The application dossier should include: application letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, a one-page statement about your experience working with a diverse student body and your contributions or potential contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion, evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., student course evaluations, peer review of teaching, and any other evidence of teaching effectiveness), and two sample course syllabi (preferably one at the beginner level and one at the advanced level).
Applicants should also prepare sample teaching videos (from two different levels, such as beginner and advanced level), uploaded to YouTube (or equivalent platform) as unlisted videos with links sent as part of their application submission; please also include lesson plans for each of the lessons shown in the sample teaching videos as part of your application.
In addition, applicants should arrange to have three confidential letters of recommendation (preferably by language teaching professionals) sent directly from the referees to the Department by email to: asia.jobsearch@ubc.ca by the same deadline.
The anticipated start date of employment is July 1, 2024. The starting salary for the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.
As this is a tenure-track position in the Educational Leadership stream, the successful candidate hired at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching will be reviewed for reappointment, tenure, and promotion in subsequent years, in accordance with the Collective Agreement. For a description of the Educational Leadership stream ranks and criteria for reappointment and promotion, visit: http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/appointment-faculty/.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
Application deadline: January 15, 2025
Every early September, a remarkable day of discovery awaits as 
