Mission
& Values

The Mission of the Donald Keene Center

The Center is committed to advancing knowledge and appreciation of Japanese culture through academic research, cultural exchange, public events, and student support.

Message from the Director of the
Donald Keene Center

Direction
Haruo Shirane portrait
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture.

For the last forty years, the mission of the DKC has been to contribute to the knowledge, experience, and excitement of Japanese culture globally, across a wide spectrum of fields, from Japanese literature, history, religion, anthropology, and language to architecture, media, performance, and environment. Inspired by the pioneering work of Donald Keene at Columbia University, we support the teaching and research of Japanese culture and language, from the ancient period to the present, and offer opportunities for the public to interact with writers, scholars, musicians, and performers from Japan.

Haruo Shirane
 
Haruo Shirane is Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture in the Department of East Asian Languages and Culture and the author of many books on Japanese culture and environment. He is an honorary member of the Japan Academy.
OUR TEAM Discover more

Honoring Donald Keene’s lifelong
contribution to Japanese culture

A pioneer in Japanese literature and cultural diplomacy, Donald
Keene helped introduce generations of readers and scholars around
the world to Japan’s literary history.
Find out more
Donald Keene
  • scholar
    A scholar who changed everything
  • wrench
    Built bridges between two worlds
  • icon
    His work still matters today
Students

Supporting Columbia
Students in Japanese Studies

Through fellowships, travel funds, and academic opportunities, the Donald Keene Center supports Columbia students pursuing the study of Japanese culture, literature, and society. These programs help students deepen their research, engage with scholars, and expand their global understanding of Japan.
Explore Columbia Student Support

Meet the People Behind the Center

The dedicated professionals carrying forward Professor Keene’s legacy and supporting the Center’s diverse programming.
Haruo Shirane

Haruo Shirane

Faculty Director

Haruo Shirane, Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture and chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University, teaches and writes on premodern and early modern Japanese literature and culture, with particular interest in prose fiction, poetry, performative genres (such as storytelling and theater), and visual culture.

He is finishing a book called Media, Performance, and Play: Japanese Culture from Outside In, which focuses on the role of manuscript culture, media, vocality, and performance, viewing cultural processes from the social periphery. Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons (Columbia University Press, 2012) explored the cultural constructions of nature across a wide spectrum of literature, media, and visual arts from the ancient period to the modern. Most recently, he has coedited Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds: A Collection of Short Medieval Tales (Columbia University Press, 2018); Reading The Tale of Genji: The First Millennium (Columbia University Press, 2015); and Cambridge History of Japanese Literature (Cambridge University Press, 2015).

View full biography
Haruo Shirane
Haruo Shirane
Faculty Director

Haruo Shirane’s Personal website

Haruo Shirane, Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture and chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University, teaches and writes on premodern and early modern Japanese literature and culture, with particular interest in prose fiction, poetry, performative genres (such as storytelling and theater), and visual culture.

He is finishing a book called Media, Performance, and Play: Japanese Culture from Outside In, which focuses on the role of manuscript culture, media, vocality, and performance, viewing cultural processes from the social periphery. Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons (Columbia University Press, 2012) explored the cultural constructions of nature across a wide spectrum of literature, media, and visual arts from the ancient period to the modern. Most recently, he has coedited Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds: A Collection of Short Medieval Tales (Columbia University Press, 2018); Reading The Tale of Genji: The First Millennium (Columbia University Press, 2015); and Cambridge History of Japanese Literature (Cambridge University Press, 2015).

Yoshiko Niiya

Yoshiko Niiya

Assistant Director

Yoshiko Niiya serves as Assistant Director of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture, bringing over 13 years of experience to the role. Prior to joining the Center, she built a diverse professional background spanning banking, import/export trading, and technology, giving her a broad, cross-industry perspective on organizational operations and partnerships.

View full biography
Yoshiko Niiya
Assistant Director

Yoshiko Niiya serves as Assistant Director of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture, bringing over 13 years of experience to the role. Prior to joining the Center, she built a diverse professional background spanning banking, import/export trading, and technology, giving her a broad, cross-industry perspective on organizational operations and partnerships. As a graduate of Barnard College, she values the opportunity to collaborate with fellow alumnae and colleagues from her college network. Her deep interest in Japanese culture and literature aligns closely with the Center’s mission. Outside of work, Yoshiko enjoys music and exploring new developments in technology.