In this episode, Allison Alexy talks with Prof. Marié Abe, whose research focuses on space and sound, and popular performing arts, in Japan as well as many other topics. The conversation centers on her new book Resonances of Chindon-ya: Sounding Space and Sociality in Contemporary Japan, exploring a popular type of musical street performance and advertising. Topics of discussion include: popular music, protests and activism, labor, social class, doing ethnographic fieldwork, the work of writing an academic book, and Ethiopian jazz.

Content warning: This episode include detailed conversation about stalking and other violent threats directed at women and fieldworkers. That part of the conversation begins at minute 35 and lasts for about 7 minutes.

Dr. Abe is an Associate Professor of Music, Musicology and Ethnomusicology at Boston University's College of Fine Arts.

If you're interested in learning more about Dr. Abe's work, please watch her presentation in the Center for Japanese Studies' lecture series.

Michigan Talks Japan is produced by Robin Griffin, Justin Schell, and Allison Alexy and is supported by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Michigan.