Joseph Sorensen

Joseph Sorensen is an Associate Professor of Japanese and Undergraduate Faculty Advisor in the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on classical and medieval Japanese poetry, drama, and the interplay between text and visual art in pre-modern Japan. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (2005) and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Excellence in Education Award (2010) and multiple research grants.

His work explores themes such as pre-modern aesthetics, performance theory, and the cultural significance of place-names and travel literature. Current projects include studies on narrative fiction and court poetry in the Heian/Kamakura periods, and the relationship between poetic place-names and travel narratives. Sorensen teaches courses on Japanese literature, film, and cultural history, including programs in Kyoto.

Highlighted publications include Optical Allusions: Screens, Paintings, and Poetry in Classical Japan (2012) and articles on Saigyō’s poetry and Heian-period visual culture. His research bridges literary and visual studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to pre-modern Japanese culture.