Greetings from the 2025 BRIDGE Organizing Committee!
As we approach the 2025 International Chinese Education Symposium & Expo of Specialized Chinese Programs and Study Abroad Projects.
Conference website: https://bridge.aaiea.org
With rich discussions, innovative projects, and inspiring keynotes, we believe this conference will offer valuable insights and foster meaningful collaborations.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at bridge2025expo@outlook.com.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon in beautiful Santa Barbara!
Natalya is carrying out her dissertation research on the initiatives to sustain the production of the ramie textile Miyako Jofu, which is made through an intricate process that begins with harvesting the ramie plant, extracting the bast fibers by hand, and connecting them one by one into fine thread. She is wearing a Miyako Jofu kimono and obi at the kind invitation of the craftspeople who own the pieces. Miyako Jofu was designated as a traditional craft of Japan by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 1975 and is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its designation this year. It was further recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 1978. As part of her dissertation fieldwork, Natalya has been learning the hand-spinning and twisting method for making the ramie thread for Miyako Jofu. The activities of the Miyako Textile Industry Association can be viewed on Instagram @miyakojoufu.
Meagan is in Tokyo to conduct archival and ethnographic research for her dissertation on contemporary TV period drama production practices inherited from the traditional kabuki theater. She visited the Miyako Jofu exhibition as a lover of fiber arts and to support both Natalya and the craftspeople. You can follow Meagan’s research journey on Instagram @jidaigeki.kenkyu and her (upcoming) website, jidaigeki-kenkyu.com.
EALCS graduate student Raymond Chung published an article titled, “Making War-Ravaged Voices Heard in the Present” (戦禍の声を現代へ) in the June 2024 issue of The Institute of Politics and Economics’ Japanese-language journal Seiji Kenkyū Jihō (Politics and Economics Newsletter／経済研究時報). In the article, Chung describes his experiences interning at the Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage for six weeks in summer of 2023, noting both the emotional resonance that connected his research on medieval Japanese religion to exhibitions at the Center and expressing his perspective that the work of Center has become ever more relevant in light of current conflicts around the globe. Scroll down to page 15 for Chung’s article: https://www.
Where: @ SRB MPR
When: January 29th
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
