Margarita Winkel
- 役職/
Position - Former Visiting Professor (Leiden University)
- 研究分野/
Field - Anthropology
Q1. Tell me about your research briefly.
A1. In my research here at TUFS I focus on Tokugawa antiquarian (古物研究) and travel records that have been transmitted in manuscript form.
Q2. In TUFS what are your lecture?
A2. My course is on the popularity of antiquarianism in early modern Japan and how this popularity fits in with wider developments in the early modern world. Antiquarianism was popular throughout the early modern world as a way to explore cultures and histories.
Q3. Japan studies in TUFS have issued a policy to lay emphasis on the reinforcement of the Japan's ability to deliver a message to the world. What do you think is necessary for that?
A3. From a historical point of view, I think the role of Japan in an international perspective is often underestimated. In the early modern period they delivered much more 'messages to the world' in the fields of botany, ethnography, geography and medicine, for example, than is generally acknowledged.
Q4. How about TUFS and students?
A4. The students are very attentive and seem eager to listen. After a few meetings, they seem more at ease to contribute and share their thoughts as well.
Q5. Compared with overseas, what is good in Japan and not good in Japan?
A5. This is not an easy question. My position here at TUFS provides me with opportunities to do research and discuss the field of study that I am interested in. I am very happy here, with friendly colleagues and an easily accessible library that has enough materials to consult for my lectures. For the manuscripts, I can travel in Japan. If I have to mention something that is not so good, it is the long time it takes to travel, and the sometimes very crowded trains.