Dr. Joan Piggott

Biography

A premier historian of premodern Japan, Professor Piggott specializes in monarchy, family history, and church-state relations in Japan. Her seminal work, 'Emergence of Japanese Kingship,' combines textual and archaeological evidence to illuminate the reigns of seven Japanese monarchs from the eighth century. She has organized various workshops focused on reading and translating Kambun (Sino-Japanese) and has contributed significantly to research on premodern Japan through her directorship at Meiji University and the USC’s Project Premodern Japan Studies. Piggott has received multiple grants to support her research and has edited important works in Japanese Studies, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Japan's classical civilization. Her dedication to education includes creating a premier graduate training program in Premodern Japanese History, with an emphasis on rigorous academic standards and primary-source analysis. She actively collaborates with institutions in Japan and the United States to enhance research and study opportunities for students in East Asian history, further enriching the academic community at USC and beyond.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards