- I majored in theater as an undergraduate at Oberlin College. Thanks to some inspiring teachers—including my Japanese history professor—I picked up a minor in East Asian Studies in my final year of school, and that changed my life. While in Japan, I studied the classical Japanese dramatic form of Noh theater, and performed in recitals on stage with the Kita school of Noh.
- I moved to Japan to teach English as part of the JET Program right after college and met my wife on a blind date! We got married in a traditional Shinto ceremony at Takeda shrine in Yamanashi prefecture. To this day, our household language is Japanese, and I’m a fluent speaker. My kids, however, are basically native speakers, and I am jealous of their language ability!
- I’ve practiced Aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art, since college, and currently hold a fifth-degree black belt. While in Japan, I trained at the World Headquarters (Hombu) Aikido dojo with some of the top instructors in the world. I recently opened my own dojo, Aikido Northway, in Clifton Park. Come check out our Grand Opening Celebration on September 6 where you can watch demonstrations by some of the top Aikido instructors from around the region and Canada—and even try a class if you feel adventurous!
- At Siena, I teach classes on Japanese, Asian, and Global History. I also offer Aikido classes each semester as part of the Lifetime Activities program. If you’d like to join us, you can experience for yourself what it’s like to stay calm under pressure and move with intention. Enroll today!
- I also teach a travel course that visits Japan for twelve days in May. We visit the modern capital of Tokyo, the imperial seat of Kyoto, and take in Mt. Fuji in between! Our next trip is in the spring 2026 semester and you’re invited to join us! Watch the Digest for an announcement about in information session this fall!
- Altogether, I lived in Japan for over a decade since college, working, teaching, and conducting research for my Master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, Manoa and my PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Most recently, I spent a sabbatical year at Kyoto University researching the question, “What was Happiness in Premodern Japan?” I’m currently working on a book based on a translation of the Tokugawa period philosopher, Kaibara Ekiken’s, prescription for contentment in life. For me, happiness is being in Japan, for sure!
- Since moving to the Capital Region, I’ve started riding motorcycles as a hobby and now have five bikes in my garage. From interstate highway trips to weekend moto camping getaways, I enjoy riding the twisty mountain roads that our region offers. Once or twice a year, I also enjoy spirited track days—sometimes with my colleague in the History Department, Dr. Wendy Pojmann!
- Both of my children attended Siena College. My daughter now lives in Tokyo, where she works for a marketing firm. My son is in the accounting program and will likely move to Japan after graduation as well. More reasons for me to visit Japan!
- I have had at least 22 physical addresses in my life (that I can remember), including homes in Tokyo, Yokohama, Honolulu, and Berkeley California. But I’m truly happy to call the Capital Region home now. With access to NYC, Boston, the Adirondacks and more, I think of it as “the best kept secret of the Northeast,” and feel fortunate to live here and teach at Siena.
- I’ve spent my life moving between worlds—Japan and the U.S., scholarship and martial arts, motorcycles and philosophy. What ties it all together is my love of learning and teaching. Whether in the classroom, the dojo, or on the road, I believe the real journey is discovering new ways to grow and sharing that growth with others.
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