Mari Yoshihara

Professor Mari Yoshihara is a bilingual scholar and writer affiliated with the University of Hawaii as a Core Faculty member. She serves as Editor of American Quarterly, the journal of the American Studies Association, and collaborates with international scholars. Her research focuses on U.S. cultural history, U.S.-Asian relations, Asian American studies, gender studies, and literary studies. She holds a BA from the University of Tokyo and a PhD from Brown University.

Her work bridges academic and popular audiences, with notable publications including Embracing the East (2003), Musicians from a Different Shore (2007), and Dearest Lenny (2019). She also writes extensively in Japanese on topics ranging from graduate education to contemporary American culture. Her interdisciplinary approach combines historical analysis, ethnography, and personal narratives to explore cultural exchanges, identity, and music.

Professor Yoshihara actively engages with classical music as an amateur pianist, participating in prestigious competitions like the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Her writings and fieldwork on music competitions highlight themes of civic engagement and cultural significance. Her blog and website further showcase her interests in U.S. affairs, classical music, and cross-cultural relationships.