Robert Huey

Robert Huey is a Professor in Japanese Literature at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, affiliated with the Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures. His research focuses on classical and medieval Japanese poetry, Japanese cultural practices in the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Okinawan Studies. He has held a leadership role since 2009 as a member of the University of the Ryukyus’ Management Council.

Education: Ph.D. (1985), M.A. (1980), and M.A. (1979) in Asian Languages/Japanese Studies from Stanford University; B.A. (1973) in French from the University of Puget Sound.

His work bridges literary analysis with historical context, examining how traditional Japanese literature functioned as both cultural pastime and diplomatic strategy in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Recent research emphasizes Okinawan academic frameworks and interdisciplinary approaches to cultural preservation.

Publications include influential works on the Shinkokinshū anthology and the poet Kyōgoku Tamekane, showcasing expertise in medieval Japanese literary networks and political poetry.