Rebecca Copeland

Rebecca Copeland is a Professor of Japanese Language and Literature at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a PhD from Columbia University and has been a faculty member since 1991, serving as Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures from 2013 to 2019. Her research focuses on modern Japanese women’s writing, material culture, and translation studies, with a particular emphasis on gender and genre. Copeland has authored and edited numerous books, including Lost Leaves: Women Writers of Meiji Japan and The Goddess Chronicle, the latter earning the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize. She also ventures into creative writing, with her debut novel The Kimono Tattoo exploring themes of kimono culture and mystery. A recipient of prestigious awards like the 2014 Outstanding Mentor Award, Copeland has held leadership roles in academic programs and international initiatives, including the Visiting East Asian Professionals Program. Her work bridges academic scholarship and creative expression, reflecting her commitment to Japanese cultural studies and feminist literary analysis.

Education:

• PhD in Japanese Literature, Columbia University, 1986
• MA in Japanese Literature, Columbia University, 1982
• BA in English and Creative Writing, St. Andrews College, 1978

Research & Creative Works:

• Expertise in Meiji-era women writers and modern Japanese literature
• Translations of Kirino Natsuo’s works, including Grotesque and The Goddess Chronicle
• Author of The Kimono Tattoo (2021) and co-editor of Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch

Awards & Recognition:

• Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize (2014-15)
• Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2001)
• Independent Press Awards Winner (2022)

Teaching & Service:

• Offers courses on Japanese literature, mystery fiction, and cultural history
• Directed the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies and led academic initiatives like the Visiting East Asian Professionals Program
• Active in university leadership roles, including Associate Dean and Summer School Director