Dr. Erin Brightwell

Biography

Erin L. Brightwell is an Associate Professor specializing in pre-modern Japanese literature at the University of Michigan. Her scholarly work primarily focuses on the medieval period of Japan, particularly the late-twelfth to fourteenth-century literature. Her research investigates the intricate relationship between language, identity, and the circulation of texts within the context of Japan's socio-historical challenges. She is particularly interested in how narratives shape authority during times of societal disorder. Her recent publication, 'Reflecting Past: Place, Language, Principle Japan’s Medieval Mirror Genre' (Harvard University Asia Center, 2020), explores the genre known as 'Mirrors,' which serve as pivotal texts in understanding Japan's historical narrative. Brightwell is also invested in the cross-cultural exchanges between Japan and other regions, especially in analyzing how language acts as a tool for cultural mediation and introduction. Her teaching interests encompass undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on Japan’s interactions with China and Europe, and various aspects of literature from the imperial period.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards