Eastern Department of Chinese Language and Literature

KIZU, Yuko Professor
Chinese historical linguistics
MIDORIKAWA, Hideki Professor
Chinese literature, especially poetry of the Tang and Song dynasties
NARITA, Kentaro Associate Professor
Chinese classics, Chinese calligraphic theory

Founded in 1906, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature boasts an exceptional academic tradition which brings together merits from Japan, China and the West in formidable fashion. Its more than a century-old archive of primary sources provides strong support to both education and academic research, and has grown into one of the finest university collections of Sinological resources found anywhere in the world, both in terms of rare, precious books and works in electronic formats. These primary sources can be accessed freely by our students.

Undergraduate students are required to acquire the skills necessary to read texts with linguistic accuracy and precision, whether in modern or classical Chinese. This goal is pursued in small classes using original Chinese texts (which may involve extensive surveys of word usage examples). Based on that foundation, students are then guided in exploring their own research interests, and they finalize their work as a graduation thesis. In the process of academic training, students must develop patience and perseverance. Acquiring the ability to read original texts with accuracy and proficiency will give them a great sense of accomplishment. Graduate students are expected to have the ability to conduct self-motivated original research and proficiency in languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and English, which are essential for their research. It is strongly recommended that they fully grasp and absorb the tradition of Sinology in Japan before starting to write a dissertation.

The department publishes its own semiannual academic journal in Japanese titled Chugoku Bungakuho (Journal of Chinese Literature).

Some rare books of our collection

Institute for Research in Humanities (entrance hall)

Annual cherry blossom party