ASHTON LAZARUS

Dr. Ashton Lazarus is an Assistant Professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at the University of Utah, specializing in classical and medieval Japanese literature, history, and performance (10th–15th centuries). His research examines how sensory experiences and bodily practices intersect with social structures and cosmological concepts.

• Education: BA in Japanese Language and Literature from Tufts University (2005), PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures from Yale University (2014)
• Research Focus: Performance studies, medieval Japanese cultural transgression, Buddhist renunciation, and sensory studies
• Awards: Funded by National Endowment for the Humanities, Japan Foundation, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

His publications include a monograph on dengaku performances and articles analyzing medieval Japanese tales, hiragana poetry, and ritual practices. He teaches courses ranging from Premodern Japanese Literature to Japanese Soundscapes, emphasizing cross-historical dialogues in language, media, and cultural identity.