Daniel F. Schley

Daniel F. Schley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Japanese and Korean Studies at the University of Bonn, where he teaches Japanese premodern history. His academic work focuses on the intricate relationships between religious authority, political legitimacy, and historical narrative in medieval Japan.

Education:

• PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (thesis on sacred kingship in medieval Japan)
• Undergraduate studies at Hamburg University

Dr. Schley's research interests span medieval Japanese kingship, historiography, and the interplay of violence and religion. He has examined royal abdications as a political strategy in early Japanese history, revealing how monarchs used resignation to consolidate power beyond the throne. His work bridges religious studies and political history, offering insights into the construction of authority in premodern societies.

His major publication, 'Sacred Kingship in early medieval Japan' (2014), explores the theological foundations of imperial rule. Subsequent research extends into the Fujiwara regency and the works of modern philosopher Watsuji Tetsurō, reflecting a commitment to understanding the evolution of Japanese political thought.

Dr. Schley is actively involved in the German Research Foundation (DFG) funded Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 1167 'Macht und Herrschaft – premodern Configurations from a transregional Perspective', contributing expertise in East Asian historical contexts to this interdisciplinary project.

As a member of the SFB 1167 team at the University of Bonn, he collaborates with scholars across disciplines to analyze premodern power structures through a comparative lens, fostering innovative approaches to historical research.