معرفی
Takashi Shogimen is a Professor in the Department of History and Art History at the University of Otago, New Zealand, where he has been employed since 2004. He was promoted to Professor in 2015 after serving as Associate Professor (2012-2015), Senior Lecturer (2007-2012), and Lecturer (2004-2007). From 2015 to 2019, he served as Head of the Department of History and Art History, and from 2013 to 2015, he was Associate Dean (Research) for the Division of Humanities.
His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Sheffield (1998) and an LLB from Keio University in Japan (1991). Prior to joining the University of Otago, he was a Research Fellow at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (1997-2000) and a Research Assistant for the Medieval Texts Editorial Committee of the British Academy (1997-2001).
Professor Shogimen's research focuses on comparative political thought between medieval Europe and Tokugawa Japan, with special attention to William of Ockham in medieval European political thought and Yanaihara Tadao in modern Japanese intellectual history. His work explores the linguistic theory of anatomical, physiological, and therapeutic metaphors in intellectual history, particularly the body politic metaphor, and examines patriotism and nationalism across different historical contexts. He approaches historical methodology with attention to conceptual boundaries and contextual analysis.
His publication record shows a consistent trajectory of scholarly work connecting European and Japanese political thought through comparative frameworks. A significant portion of his recent work analyzes the body politic metaphor across different historical and cultural contexts, while also examining specific historical events like the Yanaihara Incident in wartime Japan. His scholarship demonstrates a sustained engagement with how political concepts travel across time and cultural boundaries.
- The 35th Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities (History and Civilization Section), Japan (2013)
- Marsden Award, The Royal Society of New Zealand (2008-2010)
- Fellow, Royal Historical Society (UK) (2006)
- Early Career Award for Distinction in Research, University of Otago (2006)
- Marsden Award, The Royal Society of New Zealand (2006-2007)
- Overseas Research Students Award, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom (1993-1995)
Professor Shogimen has secured multiple research grants including the prestigious Marsden Awards from the Royal Society of New Zealand. His work has been recognized with Japan's Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities, one of the country's most prestigious academic awards. He has edited several important volumes that bridge European and Asian political thought, including "Visions of Peace: Asia and the West" and "Western Political Thought in Dialogue with Asia."
His research operates at the intersection of multiple intellectual traditions, creating dialogues between medieval European political thought and Japanese intellectual history. He leads a scholarly approach that examines how political concepts evolve across different cultural contexts while maintaining certain structural similarities.
