{"id":715,"date":"2021-03-12T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2021-03-12T00:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsletter.nichibun.ac.jp\/?post_type=messages&p=715"},"modified":"2021-07-15T09:18:08","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T00:18:08","slug":"nichibunken-days","status":"publish","type":"messages","link":"https:\/\/newsletter.nichibun.ac.jp\/en\/messages\/715\/","title":{"rendered":"Nichibunken Days"},"content":{"rendered":"

I arrived at Nichibunken 12 years ago. Time has flown by, and retirement now awaits. This is a major fork in the road. I have colleagues who look forward to retirement, but I do not. Sadness accompanies all thoughts of leaving Nichibunken. I had good times and bad times, to be sure, but the good outweigh the bad by far.<\/p>\r\n

My main job here was editing the academic journal, Japan Review<\/em>. Building on the work of my illustrious predecessor, and ever-reliant on the great staff of the Publications Department, I devoted myself to nurturing the journal. The journal was my introduction to scholars across the globe and to some outstanding scholarship. The journal, it is now clear to me, has a vital function as the hub of a global network of Japan scholars: authors, referees, reviewers and readers are the nodes of the network. I am confident that under my successor the network will continue to grow.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"

Japan Review<\/em>: The latest issue.<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"\"

Japan Review<\/em>: The latest special issue.<\/p><\/div>\r\n

I devoted much energy to the task of editing, but I had time to avail myself of Nichibunken\u2019s unparalleled research environment. I have pursued three related research paths since joining Nichibunken: the modern history of the Ise shrines, the modern history of the Japanese monarchy, and the modern history of Kyoto. To be more precise, I explored the dynamic transformation of Ise from the most popular site of pilgrimage in the land into the modern monarchy\u2019s Great Mausoleum; from a new, ritual studies perspective, I tracked the modern manifestations of the monarchy. And I investigated the vital role of the Three Great Festivals in the modernization of the city of Kyoto. I presented the results of my research to audiences in America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. I am grateful to Nichibunken for helping me disseminate the results \u00a0of my research far and wide.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"

Professor Breen speaking on the \u201cJapanese Monarchy and the Rites of Succession\u201d at the symposium, \u201cEmperor and Imperial Succession,\u201d Rekisaikan, Kyoto, 9 November 2019.<\/p><\/div>\r\n

I also very much enjoyed my contact with PhD students from Sokendai. I had the pleasure of tutoring three students, and was able to read essays, articles and theses of others, too. I learned much from them. I shall continue to lend my support to Sokendai\u2019s PhD students, albeit from afar. I look forward greatly to the outcomes of their multidisciplinary, internationally-oriented work.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

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