Wilt Lukas Idema (born 12 November 1944) is a Dutch scholar and Sinologist who taught at University of Leiden and Harvard University (2000–13), presently emeritus at both universities. He specializes in Chinese literature, with interests in early Chinese drama, Chinese women's literature of the premodern period, Chinese popular narrative ballads, and early development of Chinese vernacular fiction.
He and his wife have two children.Wilt Idema Harvard University.
Academic career Idema took his undergraduate degree from Leiden University, Department of Chinese Languages & Cultures in 1968. He then studied in the Department of Sociology, Hokudai University, Sapporo, Japan in 1968- 1969 and the Institute for Research in Humanities at Kyoto University. April 1, 1969 –March 31, 1970; Universities Service Center, Hong Kong. Summer 1970. He took his doctoral degree at Leiden University 30 October 1974, where his thesis, Chinese Vernacular Fiction, the Formative Period, was completed under the direction of A.F.P. Hulsewé.
Idema then taught at his alma mater in the Department of Chinese Language and Culture. He was promoted to Professor of Chinese Literature and Linguistics in 1976. At Leiden at various times he was Chairman of the Department of Chinese Languages & Culture; Vice-dean for Educational Matters, School of Humanities; Dean, School of Humanities; Director, Centre for Non-Western Studies; Dean, School of Humanities. He has been Visiting Professor at University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of California at Berkeley, and École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris. Since 2000, he has been Professor of Chinese Literature at Harvard University. Among his professional positions are Co-editor T'oung Pao, 1993-1999; Editor Sinica Leidensia, 1997-2006; Editor Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, 2000-2003.Wilt Idema Curriculum vitae (Harvard University).
In 2009, colleagues published a volume of studies in his honor, Text, Performance, and Gender in Chinese Literature and Music Essays in Honor of Wilt Idema. The Introduction says that Idema "masterfully integrates translation with cultural-historical contextualization, in what over the years has become a uniquely recognizable style."Maghiel Van Crevel, Tian Yuan Tan and Michel Hockx. Text, Performance, and Gender in Chinese Literature and Music Essays in Honor of Wilt Idema. (Leiden; Boston: Brill, Sinica Leidensia,, 2009). (electronic) pp. 2-3 They commented that his body of work "is exceptional in its inclusiveness and its ability to let different historical periods, genres and issues speak to one another." The bibliography "is something of an explosion of language" and "its fairly shocking physical length is only one indicator of what Wilt's work means to our field, for this is not just a function of the encyclopedic scope of his knowledge, or his sheer productivity, or even of the quality and the ambition of his work." Van Crevel, Tan and Hockx. p. 6 In a review of the field of Chinese literature, Robert E. Hegel declared "Wilt L. Idema's studies in Chinese Vernacular Fiction: The Formative Period are definitive statements on vernacular literature in general, on the short story, and on the long pinghua."Traditional Chinese Fiction--the State of the Field," The Journal of Asian Studies 53.2 (1994): 405. His most frequent co-author has been Stephen H. West.
Idema was the 1992 Winner of the (Dutch National Translation Award). Idema was elected a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1999.
In 2015, Idema was one of twenty Sinologists to win the 9th Special Book Award of China, a national-level award set up by General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP).
Publications Partial listing:"Wilt Idema: Publications" Harvard University "China's Educational Revolution", in: John Gardner (ed.), Authority, Participation and Cultural Change in China, Cambridge University Press, 1973. pp. 257–89. "Storytelling and the Short Story in China", T'oung Pao LIX, 1973, pp. 1-67. "Chinese Vernacular Fiction, the Formative Period", Sinica Leidensia, XIII, Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1974. Google Books "Some Remarks and Speculations Concerning P'ing-Hua", in: T'oung Pao, LX, 1974, pp. 121-72. Feng Meng-Long, De Drie Woorden, Vijf Chinese Novellen, (translation and introduction by W.L. Idema(, Oosterse Bibliotheek, Deel 2, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1976. ISBN "Stage and Court in China: The Case of Hung-Wu's Imperial Theatre", Oriens Extremus, XXIII, 1976, pp. 175-190. Verzinsels zijn geen letterkunde. Het literatuurbegrip in het traditionele China. Oratie, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1976. ISBN "Diseases and Doctors, Drugs and Cures. A Very Preliminary List of Passages of Medical Interest in a Number of Traditional Chinese Novels and Related Plays", Chinese Science, II, 1977, pp. 37-63. Hanshan, gedichten van de Koude Berg. Zen-Poëzie, (translation and afterword by W.L. Idema), Chinese Bibliotheek, Deel 8, Amsterdam: Arbeiderspers, 1977. ISBN "The Mystery of the Halved Judge Dee Novel", Tamkang Review, VIII, 1977, pp. 155-170. "Performance and Construction of the Chu-Kung-Tiao" in: Journal of Oriental Studies, XVI, 1978, pp. 63-78. Pu Songling, De Beschilderde Huid. Spookverhalen, (translation and introduction by W.L. Idema, B.J. Mansvelt Beck, N.H. Van Straten), Oosterse Bibliotheek, Deel 9, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1978. ISBN Vinger Gods, wat zijt Gij groot. Een bloemlezing uit het werk van de domineedichters Nicolaas Beets, J.P. Hasebroek, Bernard Ter Haar, J.J.L. Ten Kate, Eliza Laurillard, (anthology and introduction by Anton Korteweg and W.L.Idema), Amsterdam: Arbeiderspers, 1978. W.L. Idema, Aad Nuis, D.W. Fokkema (ed.), Oosterse literatuur. Een inleiding tot de Oosterse Bibliotheek, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1979. ISBN "Shih Chün-Pao's and Chu Yu-Tun's Ch'ü-Chiang Ch'ih. The Variety of Mode within Form", in: T'oung Pao, LXVI, 1980, pp. 217-265. "Zhu Youdun's Dramatic Prefaces and Traditional Fiction", in: Ming Studies , X, 1980, pp 17-21. "Dutch Sinology and the Study of Chinese Traditional Vernacular Fiction",in: Zhongguo gudian xiaoshuo yanjiu zhuanji, III, 1981, pp. 25-40. "The Wen-Ching Yüan-Yang Hui and the Chia-Men of Ming-Ch'ing Ch'uan-Ch'i", in: T'oung Pao, LXVII, 1981, pp. 91-106. with Stephen H. West: Chinese Theater 1100-1450. A Source Book, Münchener Ostasiatische Studien, Steiner, 1982. ISBN Bai Xingjian, Het Hoogste Genot, (translation, introduction andclarification by W.L. Idema), Cahiers Van De Lantaarn, No. 19, Leiden: De Lantaarn, 1983. ISBN De Vorsten van het Woord. Teksten over dichterschap en poëzie uit Oosterse tradities. Studies en Vertalingen, De Oosterse Bibliotheek, Deel 21, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1983. ISBN "The Illusion of Fiction", in: CLEAR, V, 1983, pp. 47-51. Mijnheer Dong. Het verhaal van de Westerkamers in alle toonaarden, (translation and introduction by W.L. Idema), De Oosterse Bibliotheek, Deel 22, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1984. ISBN "The Story of Ssu-Ma Hsiang-Ju and Cho Wen-Chün in Vernacular Literature of the Yüan and Early Ming Dynasties", in: T'oung Pao, LXX, 1984, pp. 60-109. "Yüan-Pen as a Minor Form of Dramatic Literature in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries", in: CLEAR, VI, 1984, pp. 53-75. Zingend roei ik huiswaarts op de maan. Gedichten Van Meng Haoran, Wang Wei, Li Taibai, Du Fu en Bai Juyi, uit het Chinees vertaald, Amsterdam: Arbeiderspers, 1984. The Dramatic Oeuvre of Chu Yu-Tun (1379-1439), Sinica Leidensia, Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1985. ISBN Wie zich pas heeft gebaad, tikt het stof van zijn kap. Gedichten in Fu-vorm uit de tweede eeuw v.Chr.- vijfde eeuw n.Chr., Leiden: De Lantaarn, 1985. with Lloyd Haft: Chinese Letterkunde. Inleiding, historisch overzicht, bibliografieën, De Meern: Spectrum, 1985. ISBN Bai Juyi, Gans, Papegaai en Kraanvogel. Gedichten uit het Oude China, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1986. Bai Juyi, Lied Van Het Eeuwig Verdriet, Baarn: Arethusa Pers, 1986. ISBN Dichter en Hof. Verkenningen in veertien culturen, Utrecht: HES, 1986. ISBN (ed.) "Popular Literature. Part II: Prosimetric Literature", in The Indiana Companion to Traditional Chinese Literature, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986. pp. 83–92. Feng Zhi. Reis naar het Noorden, een gedicht, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1987. "Poet Versus Minister and Monk: Su Shi on Stage in the Period 1250-1450", in: T'oung Pao, LXXIII, 1987, pp. 190-216. "The Orphan of Zhao: Self-Sacrifice, Tragic Choice and Revenge, and the Confucianization of Mongol Drama at the Ming Court", in Cina, XXI, 1988, 159-190. Du Fu, De Verweesde Boot, (translation and clarification by W.L. Idema), Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1989. "Area Studies in the Nineties: Prima Donna of Member of the Chorus?", in: E. Zürcher and T. Langendorff, (ed.), The Humanities in the Nineties, a View from the Netherlands, Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger, 199, pp. 337–353. "Cannon, Clocks and Clever Monkeys: Europeana, Europeans and Europe in Some Early Ch'ing Novels", in: (ed.), Development and Decline of Fukien Province in the 17th and 18th Centuries, Sinica Leidensia, XXII, Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1990, pp. 459–488. "Emulation through Readaption in Yüan and Early Ming", in Asia Major, III, 1990, pp. 113-128. 'The Founding of the Han Dynasty in Early Drama: The Autocratic Suppression of Popular Debunking", in E. Zürcher, (ed.), Thought and Law in Qin and Han China, Sinica Leidensia, XXIII, Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1990). pp. 183–207. Liederen Van Li Qingzhao, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1990. (ed.) Thought and Law in Qin and Han China, Studies Dedicated to Anthony Hulsewé on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday, Sinica Leidensia XXIII, Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1990. "Zhu Youdun's Plays as a Guide to Fifteenth Century Performance Practice", in CHINOPERL Papers 15, 1990, pp. 17-25. The Moon and the Zither: The Story of the Western Wing, ( edited and translated by Idema, with an Introduction by Stephen H. West and Wilt L. Idema; with a Study of Its Woodblock Illustrations by Yao Dajuin), Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991. . Spiegel van de klassieke Chinese poëzie. Van het Boek der Oden tot de Qing-dynastie, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1991; 6th ed. 2000 - (an anthology of classical Chinese poetry) "Data on the Chu-Kung-Tiao, a Reassessment of Conflicting Opinions", in T'oung Pao, LXXIX, 1993, pp. 69-112. De Man met de kroezende baard: Chinese verhalen uit de Tang-Dynastie, Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1993. "Dierenverhaal en dierenfabel in de traditionele Chinese letterkunde", in: (ed.), Mijn naam is Haas, Baarn: Ambo, 1993, pp. 222–237. "The Ideological Manipulation of Traditional Drama in Ming Times: Some Comments on the Work of Tanaka Issei", in: H. Chun-Chieh and Z. Erik, (ed.), Norms and the State in China, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1993, pp. 50–70. "Mao Dun and Speenhoff, or How a Fallen Woman from Rotterdam Started a New Life in Shanghai", in: H. Lloyd (ed.), Words from the West, Western Texts in Chinese Literary Contexts. Essays to Honor Erik Zürcher on His Sixty Fifth Birthday, Leiden: CNWS, 1993, pp. 35–47. Mijn naam is Haas. Dierenverhalen in verschillende culturen, Baarn: Ambo, 1993. "Skulls and Skeletons in Art and on Stage", in: Blusse, Leonard and Zurndorfer, Harriet, (ed.), Conflict and Accommodation in Early Modern Asia. Essays in Honour of Erik Zürcher, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1993), pp. 191–215. "Traditional Theatre in Modern Times: The Chinese Case", in: C. C. Barfoot and B. Cobi, (ed.), Theatre Intercontinental, Forms, Functions, Correspondences, Amsterdam: Rodopi, 1993, pp. 11–24. De in alle toonaarden begeerde draken van Liu Zhiyuan, Leiden: CNWS, 1994. De burger schuddebuikt: Een bloemlezing uit het werk van de luimige dichters, Amsterdam: Querido, 1994. "Sexuality and Innocence: The Characterization of Oriole in the Hongzhi Edition of the Xixiangji", in: (ed.), Paradoxes of Traditional Chinese Literature, Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press, 1994, pp. 21–59.