Summer Kambun Workshop

The USC Summer Kambun Workshop is an intensive language training program in reading and translating premodern texts written in Sino-Japanese (Kambun). The Workshop brings together graduate students, young faculty, and other scholars from the U.S. and abroad for full-day, collaborative sessions led by faculty specialists from Japan and the U.S. The language of the Workshop is Japanese, and each Workshop focuses on its own theme or historical period. Participants learn to read Sino-Japanese materials with greater fluency; to develop their research and bibliographical skills; and to grow acquainted with peers in the field of premodern Japanese historical studies.

The Workshops are held in the East Asia Library on the USC campus, and utilize the library's Premodern Japanese Collection during morning classes and afternoon study sessions.

2013 Kambun Workshop

The theme of the 2013 Summer Kambun Workshop will be Late Medieval Kambun Materials and the workshop will be co-led by Prof. Noriko Kurushima and Prof. Shin'ichiro Takahashi, of the University of Tokyo's Historiographical Institute. The workshop will be held from July 15 to August 9. Attendence for the 2013 Kambun Workshop is by application only. Applications are due March 15th.

Flyer (PDF)

Application (PDF) Due March 15

Previous Kambun Workshops

2012  Heian Kambun Workshop (Profs. Yamaguchi/Kato)

2010  Gyokuyo (Buddhism) Kambun Workshop (Profs. Kawashima/Matsumoto)

2009  Chuyuki Kambun Workshop (Prof. Yoshida)

2008  Era of Retired Monarchs Kambun Workshop (Prof. Endo)

2007  Heian Kambun Workshop, The Year 985  (Prof. Ishigami)

2006  Heian Kambun Workshop (Prof. Ishigami)

2005  Kamakura Kambun Workshop (Prof. Endo)

2004  Heian Kambun Workshop  (Prof. Kato)

 

Translations from Previous Workshops

Each Kambun Workshop is organized around the reading and translation of primary sources related to that year's theme. Selected Workshop translations have been made available below.

2006 Kambun Workshop

2007 Kambun Workshop

Shoyuki -- First month of Kanna 1 (985)

Goke Shidai -- Goto (御灯）

Goke Shidai -- Extraordinary Iwashimizu Festival (岩清水臨時祭）

2008 Kambun Workshop