John Swain

 JohnD. Swain

John D. Swain

  • Courses10
  • Reviews12

Biography

California State University Northridge - Theater

Japanese Culture and Language consultant
Translation & Localization
John D.
Swain
Greensboro, North Carolina
I am teaching high school, and still dream of a tour agency providing small-group curated, docent-led journeys to places, events, and activities that go off Japan's beaten path.

Climb Japan's holy mountains. Visit the workshops of traditional carpenters, potters, paper-makers, lacquer-ware, cloth-dyeing, mask-making, dancers, sweet-makers, or doll-makers. Speak with local historians and artists. Cycle through the country rice-fields to a small temple. Sit Zen meditation. Explore castles. Fish mountain streams and lakes. Bathe in remote hot-springs. Try regional ramen, soba, sushi, sake, or rice-bowls. Observe religious rituals and ascetic practices. Experience firewalking or a fertility festival. Tread in Matsuo Basho's footsteps and explore his haiku "on location"​ viewing the sites that were inspiration to him.Your curiosity and my Japanese expertise will make many "miyagi-banashi,"​ "souvenir-tales."

And what is below is still true, and still as vague.

As an expert in Japan and Japanese culture, and an expert in theatre, I would like to combine the two. It is a great pleasure to engage people as they learn about Japan and the passion I have for all things Japanese.

My particular interest is contemporary Japanese theatre from Okinawa, and theatre by Resident Koreans in Japan. The negotiations between Japanese culture and Okinawans and Resident Koreans says much about the Japanese view of themselves.

I have acted, directed, written, and studied theatre since childhood. I have translated Japanese plays into English for publication and performance. I have worked as a director and dramaturg in Japan and the U.S.

I lived and worked in Japan for about 20 years.

I translate from Japanese to English.

I want to couple my extensive knowledge of Japan, its culture and language, to acting, directing, writing, and producing/dramaturgy.

I commute on a blue Kawasaki Ninja 1000.

I also cycle and fly fish.


Experience

  • Independent Japanese Arts

    Japanese Language and Culture Translator/Consultant

    Translate Japanese/English. Advise and research on Japanese arts, entertainment, tourism, business, culture, society, history, aesthetics, and religion.

  • Shibaiman

    Editor / Proofreader

    Editing English language prose fiction, plays, academic essays, and technical manuals.
    Proofreading all English language manuscripts for accuracy of grammar, spelling, usage, etc.

  • University of Southern California

    Full-time Lecturer

    Teaching courses in East Asian Cultures.

  • Shibaiman Localization

    Japanese/English Translator

    Translating Japanese texts to English. Editing and proof-reading translated texts.

  • Los Angeles Unified School District

    RSP Teacher

    I co-teach history in a full-inclusion classroom.

  • Independent Shakespeare Co.

    Stage hand, usher, running crew.

Education

  • University of California, Los Angeles

    Ph.D.

    Japanese Theatre
    I studied theatre performance criticism and contemporary Japanese theatre. I expanded my expertise in Japan and Japanese culture. I developed my knowledge of Korean and Korean culture.

  • University of Kansas

    MA

    Japanese Theatre
    I studied Japanese theatre and developed my expertise in theatre history and literature.

  • Sophia University

    N/A

    Comparative Cultures
    I studied at Sophia for one year as a Rotary International Grant recipient. I took lessons in nō and kyōgen theatre on my own time.

Publications

  • Hinemi

    Kinokuniya Books/U of Hawai'i Press

    English translation of the play "Hinemi," by Miyazawa Akio. It's successful U.S. premier was in February, 2008.

  • Hinemi

    Kinokuniya Books/U of Hawai'i Press

    English translation of the play "Hinemi," by Miyazawa Akio. It's successful U.S. premier was in February, 2008.

Positions

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

  • Association for Asian Performance

    Vice President for ATHE Conference Planning

    I was VP for ATHE Conference Planning from 2008-12

Possible Matching Profiles

The following profiles may or may not be the same professor:

  • John Swain
    Loyola Marymount University - Communication Studies
  • John Swain
    University of California Irvine - East Asian Lang. & Literature

Possible Matching Profiles

The following profiles may or may not be the same professor:

  • John D Swain (100% Match)
    Lecturer
    California State University - California State University
    $6,352.40 Base

HUMANITIES

1(1)

TH 315

2.5(3)

TH 620

4.5(1)

THEATB 322

2(1)