A scholar of the history and culture of early modern Japan, Conrad Totman began his career as a student of ornamental horticulture at the University of Massachusetts. After graduation in 1953, Totman served in the army for three years in South Korea, and got his first taste of Japanese culture during leave. His experiences in Japan piqued his scholarly interest, and upon his return to the states (with his new wife, Michiko), he entered graduate school at UMass and then Harvard, receiving his doctorate in 1964 for a study of politics during the Tokugawa period. Totman held academic positions at UC Santa Barbara, Northwestern, and (in 1984) Yale before retiring in 1997.

The bulk of the Totman Papers documents Totman's education and professional work as a scholar and teacher of Japanese history. Dispersed throughout is a treasure trove of information on Japan in general, and particularly on his specialties: early modern Japan and forestry and environmental management. An enormous, highly influential, and cherished, part of Totman's life is his family, and the Totman clan is well represented in this collection. Reams of genealogical material document the rich heritage of the Totman family, including the transcribed love letters and diaries of his paternal grandmother and biographies of Totman ancestors, among many others.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on use:

Letters written by Conrad Totman during his stay in Japan from 1955-1956 as well as professional letters that include reviews of the work of his colleagues are restricted until 2015.