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An Introduction
My name is Nakota DiFonzo, and I am a historian of China and Taiwan. I am currently enrolled as a History Ph.D. student at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (2023-present), focusing on British colonialism in nineteenth and twentieth-century Shanghai. Prior to joining the University of Hawai'i, I attended the University of Oregon (2017-2020), having received my Master's degree in Asian Studies. My Master's thesis, titled, The Evolving Fashion of Taiwan from 1949-1987: Expression, Consumption, and Futurity, examines the clothing worn by people in Taiwan during the martial law era, as well as the capitalist processes that developed Taiwan's fashion market. In short, I argue that the pervasiveness of American influence in Taiwan beginning in the 1950s had a notable impact on the expansion of the Taiwanese fashion market, including people's capacity to express themselves through new (often Western) fashion. My thesis can be read in its entirety in the "Research" tab above, or on Proquest.com.
Besides my experience in conducting academic research, I am proficient in modern Chinese, and can read basic classical Chinese. I also have experience living and studying in China and Taiwan. Furthermore, I am presently employed as an adjunct professor of History at Winston-Salem State University. My curriculum vitae is available upon request in the "Contact" tab below.
This website has three purposes. One is to advertise that I am offering a tutoring service on Chinese and Taiwanese History to anyone who is interested in knowing more about China and Taiwan's pasts. This service is designed for anyone of any age, and no previous knowledge of Chinese or Taiwanese History is required. Also, all classes are conducted online in order to eliminate any geographic barriers. Details of this service are elaborated upon in the "Services" tab above.
Another purpose of this website is to share my musings on themes and ideas which characterize Asia, past and present. In the "Journal" tab above, I write short posts on varying topics and questions pertaining to Asia, and share videos, news articles, and academic literature on Chinese and Taiwanese political, economic, social, cultural, and historical topics.
The final purpose of this website is to host my podcast: The "What is Asia?" Podcast, in which I interview scholars and experts of Asia. The aim of this podcast is to make the current conversations on Asia by scholars and experts more accessible to the general public. These interviews will include specialists on Asian political, economic, social, and cultural dynamics which are important to understanding Asia in both historical and/or modern contexts. For a list of published content, please see the "Podcast" tab above.
Ultimately, my intentions in using this website are all connected: to promote a greater understanding of Asia (particularly China and Taiwan) among non-specialists. Sadly, clarity on Asian political and historical issues have been muddled (and continue to be muddled) by politicization from Western and Asian news outlets. In addition to the wide and often contradictory theses by news outlets, as well as the mountains of publications by scholars, it may be difficult for some to approach basic questions about China, Taiwan, and Asia in general, with a sense of confidence. Through this website I aim to supply those who have an interest in Asia with a firmer, historically grounded, understanding of the affairs of this increasingly important area of the world.
Besides my experience in conducting academic research, I am proficient in modern Chinese, and can read basic classical Chinese. I also have experience living and studying in China and Taiwan. Furthermore, I am presently employed as an adjunct professor of History at Winston-Salem State University. My curriculum vitae is available upon request in the "Contact" tab below.
This website has three purposes. One is to advertise that I am offering a tutoring service on Chinese and Taiwanese History to anyone who is interested in knowing more about China and Taiwan's pasts. This service is designed for anyone of any age, and no previous knowledge of Chinese or Taiwanese History is required. Also, all classes are conducted online in order to eliminate any geographic barriers. Details of this service are elaborated upon in the "Services" tab above.
Another purpose of this website is to share my musings on themes and ideas which characterize Asia, past and present. In the "Journal" tab above, I write short posts on varying topics and questions pertaining to Asia, and share videos, news articles, and academic literature on Chinese and Taiwanese political, economic, social, cultural, and historical topics.
The final purpose of this website is to host my podcast: The "What is Asia?" Podcast, in which I interview scholars and experts of Asia. The aim of this podcast is to make the current conversations on Asia by scholars and experts more accessible to the general public. These interviews will include specialists on Asian political, economic, social, and cultural dynamics which are important to understanding Asia in both historical and/or modern contexts. For a list of published content, please see the "Podcast" tab above.
Ultimately, my intentions in using this website are all connected: to promote a greater understanding of Asia (particularly China and Taiwan) among non-specialists. Sadly, clarity on Asian political and historical issues have been muddled (and continue to be muddled) by politicization from Western and Asian news outlets. In addition to the wide and often contradictory theses by news outlets, as well as the mountains of publications by scholars, it may be difficult for some to approach basic questions about China, Taiwan, and Asia in general, with a sense of confidence. Through this website I aim to supply those who have an interest in Asia with a firmer, historically grounded, understanding of the affairs of this increasingly important area of the world.