Jingyi Li's research centers on Japanese popular literature, print culture, and cultural identity in the 19th century,
Jingyi comes to Occidental from the University of Arizona, where she earned her Ph.D. in East Asian studies with a focus on Japanese history and literature. Prior to that, she earned her M.A. in premodern Japanese literature from Kyushu University and her B.A. in Japanese language and literature from East China Normal University. Her current book project studies shogakai, calligraphy and painting gatherings of early modern Japan that connected the literati and amateurs to form a popular culture industrial network. She is also interested in book history, digital humanities methods, and the education of paleography.
What drew you to teach at Occidental?
I had always wanted to teach at a place where I have the chance to work closely with students and teach on subjects of a wide variety. The small class size at Oxy and freedom in course design for faculty seemed perfect for that. Also, Los Angeles has had a strong presence of Japanese culture, making Oxy an exciting place to teach about Japanese language and culture. I was excited for the opportunities that students here could have to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they see and feel in the streets of LA. Last but not least, it was almost impossible to resist the beautiful campus of Oxy. I loved the variety of plants here.
With a full semester behind you, what are your impressions of Oxy students?
I cannot speak more highly of Oxy students. Every day as I see students reading in groups around the quad, I feel their genuine passion for knowledge and growth. I have had the privilege of teaching some of the most hard-working, curious, and passionate students in this past year, and it’s truly been a rewarding experience.
When did you first become interested in 19th-century Japanese literature and culture?
In all honesty, my interest in Japanese culture first sparked when I was a huge anime fan–much like many of my students–back in high school. I’d read about Japanese history to understand the context of the anime. The more I read, the more I became drawn to the cultural history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which led me to pursue graduate studies first in Japan and then the US.
Currently my research focuses on nineteenth century calligraphy and painting salons, as well as the role they played in transforming the social perception of educated elites. Through this project, I hope to highlight the fluidity of cultural hierarchy and the influence of national identity in shaping cultural history. I’m also passionate about book history and print culture in early modern Japan, and it was great that I found colleagues here at Oxy who share this passion.
Do you have a favorite class that you are teaching, and why?
I have taught elementary Japanese, advanced Japanese, and early modern Japanese culture so far. I enjoyed teaching all these classes because my students have been enthusiastic about the subjects and they put in serious effort. One special moment was during our ASN260 Popular Culture and Literary Traditions of Early Modern Japan class, when we visited the library’s special collections to view some rare books from early modern Japan. The students were able to ask amazingly sharp questions even without any formal training in book culture or paleography. They paid such close attention to detail and integrated all kinds of knowledge from class. It was one of my favorite moments.
Anything else you would like to add?
I’m working with the Asian Studies department and Prof. Yuki Taylor to further enrich our Japanese program with more academic talks, cultural events, and learning methods. We look forward to seeing members of our Oxy community joining us!