About Me

Have you ever experienced something that captivated you in the blink of an eye?

For me that’s researching Japan, being enthralled by Japanese culture, language, literature, nature and discovering new aspects of their beauty. From a scientific point of view, I am particularly intrigued by the intertwining of culture and language, which is beautifully represented in the study of Japan(ese).

My research interests are based on a deep fascination with Japanese grammar (bunpō), Classical Japanese (bungo), conceptual semantics, cognitive linguistics, philosophy of language, and the development of Japanese writing systems. Currently I am researching, in what ways emotions are intertwined with Japanese culture and language.

Outside of academia, I'm drawn to literature, short stories, poetry, anime and manga. I find joy in discovering cultural references that are subtle, layered, and poetic, and I enjoy making them accessible to others. One especially moving experience was being entrusted with a personal haiku collection by a palliative care patient of my spouse. That encounter continues to shape my understanding of humanity and left a mark on me, remembering how fragile and precious our encounters are.

Living in Japan has offered me the rare opportunity to engage with these cultural and linguistic layers firsthand. Each day brings a new perspective, and I remain humbled by the depth and diversity of Japanese culture.

I would love to hear your story too. Feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to connecting.