Introduction

Yoko Kumanoya is a researcher specializing in Russian culture and folklore. Her research has made significant contributions in the field of Russian oral literature, particularly in short folk songs called chastushkas and various epic poems. She has conducted long-term fieldwork in Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russian Federation, collecting and publishing local folklore materials and oral histories. Additionally, she has been studying the origin of the Russian folk craft matryoshka for many years, shedding light on the woodworking history of both Japan and Russia.

Her major publications include Chastushka: Small Songs Reflecting Russian Life (Toyo Shoten, 2007), A Collection of Russian Epic Songs with Commentaries (Keio University Press, 2017), and Searching for the Roots of Matryoshka: Exploring the Mystery of the "Japanese Origin Theory" (Iwanami Shoten, 2023). In addition, she has authored numerous papers on Russian folklore in Japanese, Russian, and English.

Areas of Research

・Enhancement of Russian language education at universities and the development of teaching materials
・Building a digital archive of Russian folklore research materials and partial publication of them
・Promoting collaboration among researchers of various regions and ethnic groups related to Russia

Social Contributions

Promoting cross-cultural understanding in the international community
Utilizing oral and folklore materials for historical research
Protection and utilization of cultural heritage