Reginald Jackson

Reginald Jackson is a Professor of Pre-modern Japanese Literature at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS). He holds a PhD from Princeton University (2007). His research explores legibility, embodiment, and performance in premodern Japanese culture, spanning literature, art history, and performance studies. Current projects include analyzing slavery and performance in premodern Japan, and choreography by Yasuko Yokoshi. He co-founded the Japanese Studies Antiracist Pedagogy (JSAP) project to advance DEI initiatives in the field.

• Education: PhD, Princeton University, 2007

Research focuses on The Tale of Genji, Noh drama, and intersections of queer theory/critical race theory. His book Textures of Mourning (2018) won the University Press Book Award. Teaching includes courses on antiracism, performance theory, and medieval Japanese culture. He organizes workshops like the Japanese Performance Theory Workshop (JPTW) to foster scholarly dialogue.

Notable publications include articles on Noh robes, pedagogical legacies, and medieval performance. He actively bridges creative practices (drawing, music) with academic work, advocating for interdisciplinary methods.

• Awards: University Press Book Award for Textures of Mourning
• Grants/Initiatives: JSAP project, JPTW