My name is Fumiaki Tomono, and I joined the Japan and Korean Peninsula Studies Division of the Basic Research Department at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies as an associate professor in April 2026. In this division, I will serve as Deputy Division Head, contributing to its management and day-to-day operations as a faculty member with concurrent appointments. I previously served as Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University, and as Specially Appointed Associate Professor at the Center for Education and Research on “Modern and Contemporary Kagoshima,” affiliated with the Faculty of Law and Letters at Kagoshima University. During this time, I conducted research on the regional history and culture of various parts of the Japanese archipelago. I look forward to working with you all.

My specialty is modern and contemporary Japanese history, with a particular focus on the historical significance of cultural practices in local communities, such as the commemoration of historical figures and haikai poetry. Specifically, I have examined the ways in which Kinpara Meizen (1832–1923), an entrepreneur from Anma Village, Nagakami District, Totomi Province (present-day Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture), was honored as a “great man” through various media during his lifetime. I have also explored the significance of the “Old School” haikai poets who were active throughout the country, focusing on the haikai network of Matsushima Jikko (1849–1926), who was also from Totomi Province. Furthermore, while working at Kagoshima University, I conducted fieldwork with students throughout the prefecture and engaged in projects such as documenting the wartime experiences and daily lives of women living on Okinoerabu Island.

Moving forward, I will continue to pursue my research while working alongside local communities to delve deeper into the history and culture of the Tohoku region and contribute to its preservation for future generations. I look forward to your continued support.

TOMONO Fumiaki