This session is part of the 2026 PAMLA Conference in Seattle, 11/12-11/15

This session, Premodern Literature in East Asia, aims to underscore the interconnectedness of East Asian literary traditions and emphasize the profound impact of the region’s material and intellectual heritage on shaping and inspiring contemporary cultural landscapes. The 19th-century encounter with the West has undeniably reshaped East Asian society and opened a significant field of research. However, contemporary scholarship often overemphasizes the modern at the expense of the complexities and significance of the premodern era. This tendency is particularly pronounced in East Asian literary studies, where research has largely shifted from classical literature toward modern works and often to more accessible popular media. This session seeks to redress this imbalance.

We invite scholars to explore various aspects of premodern literature in East Asia—covering the classical works of the core civilizations of traditional East Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as regions profoundly influenced by Confucian societal values, such as Vietnam and Mongolia. The topics include but are not limited to the critical analysis of individual works, the evolution of literary genres, and the transmission of literary theory, topoi, images, and narratives. We will additionally be pleased to receive any papers dealing with the relationship between power and literature in accordance with this year's theme.