About
Joshua Mostow is a Professor of Pre-Modern Japanese Literature and Art at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies, serving as Acting Language Programs Director. He holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and has held visiting positions at institutions including Heidelberg University and Clare Hall, Cambridge. His research focuses on text-image relationships, Heian and Edo period cultural studies, and gender representation in Japanese literature and art.
- Education: PhD in Comparative Literature (University of Pennsylvania), studies at International Christian University (Japan), Université de Paris, and Gakushuin University.
- Affiliations: Visiting Fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge; Visiting Professorships at Heidelberg University and University of Minnesota.
Research Interests: Mostow explores intersections between Japanese literature and visual arts, particularly focusing on classical texts like the Ise Monogatari and Hyakunin Isshu. His work analyzes how visual and textual elements co-construct meaning, with attention to gender, nationalism, and cultural reception. Key themes include Edo-period illustrated editions, Heian courtly aesthetics, and the ideological construction of classical traditions.
Publications: Over 100 articles and books, including Pictures of the Heart (1996), Courtly Visions (2014), and co-authored works on Japanese art history and gender studies. His scholarship bridges literary and visual analysis, emphasizing historical context and modern reinterpretations.
- Awards: Royal Society of Canada induction (2015), Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation (2017), Killam Memorial Fellowship.
Grants: Supported by SSHRC, Sainsbury Institute, and Japan Foundation. His work often involves collaborative projects on Japanese cultural heritage, such as the Meiji at 150 Digital Teaching Resource.
Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary projects like the Meiji at 150 initiative, examining Japanese-Canadian cultural connections and Meiji-period visual culture.
