We invite papers on different disciplinary and methodological perspectives which speak in some way to the conference theme. 

While papers can be focused on any particular region of the globe, it is important to think beyond the constraints of national borders. Papers must thus demonstrate trans-national/local/cultural connections within or beyond the East Asian cultural sphere (broadly defined; we imagine, for example, that some papers may consider Southeast Asian locales too). 

Potential themes and sub-themes could include but are not limited to:

• The East Asian past in spiritualism, mesmerism, occultism and esoteric new religious movements such as New Thought, Theosophy, New Science etc.
• Uses of the past in the construction of “Eastern” martial arts and self-cultivation methods, such as mindfulness etc.
• Appropriation and reinterpretation of East Asian pasts within political movements from the entire spectrum of ideologies, from the far left to the far right and beyond.
• Views of East Asian history in the construction of alternative medicines and therapeutic techniques.
• Views of East Asia in futurological accounts or as providing alternative models of historical development and modern lifestyles with an emphasis on its alleged “esoteric,” “mystical” or “traditional” features.
• Analyses of “East Asia” in pseudoarchaeology, ancient aliens and associated interests.Analyses of “East Asia” in pseudoarchaeology, ancient aliens and associated interests.