HIRASE Takao has been Professor at the Institute since 1999. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in 1979, 1981, and 1997, respectively. At Tottori University, he served as Research Associate in 1981-1984, as Lecturer in 1984-1987, and as Associate Professor in 1987-90. He was Associate Professor at Kyushu University in 1990-1992. After having joined the Institute he was Associate Professor from 1992 to 1999. He has been doing research on the history of ancient China, especially of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
His recent publications include An Empire of Characters and Sorcery, (Tokyo: Chuo Koron Shinsha, 2001, II + 280 pp.), Ancient Chinese Prophecy and Legitimacy (Tokyo: Kodansha, 2000, 246 pp.), The Text Critical Study of Zuo-juan , MSIOC (Tokyo: Kyuko Shoin, 1998, xiv + 681 + 34 pp.), A Study of Ancient Chinese Chronology: From the Viewpoint of Astronomy and the Calendar MSIOC (Tokyo: Kyuko Shoin, 1996, xi + 270 + 202 pp.), and Rearrangement of the Shi-ji Chronology, from 841 to 221 B.C.: Introduction to a Study of Ancient Chinese Chronology MSIOC (Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1995, v + 670 pp.).