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Exploring the world of "No No Boy"

Jan. 22, 2016 - Feb. 10, 2017

No-No Boy is a novel written by John Okada, a second-generation Japanese-American who lived in the United States during the Pacific War. He died in 1971 at the age of 47, and this is his only work. From the perspective of a Japanese-American who experienced the war, Okada explores a variety of themes, including identity, family, nation, race, and the individual. We will explore the world of this novel, which is still read today, and its appeal and significance.

Read from Part 1 >>

Stories from this series

Part 1: What is "No-No Boy"?

Jan. 22, 2016 • Ryusuke Kawai

No-No Boy is a novel written by John Okada, a second-generation Japanese-American who lived in America during the Pacific War. He died in 1971 at the age of 47, and this is his only work. From the perspective of a Japanese-American who experienced the war, Okada explores a variety of themes, including identity, family, nation, race, and the individual. We will explore the world of this novel, which is still read today, and its appeal and significance. The novel "No-No …

John Okada loyalty questionnaire No-No Boy (book) Seattle United States Washington World War II

Author in This Series

Ryusuke Kawai @ryusukekawai

Journalist and non-fiction writer. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University, he worked as a reporter for the Mainichi Shimbun before going independent. His books include "Yamato Colony: The Men Who Left Japan in Florida" (Shunpousha). He translated the monumental work of Japanese American literature, "No-No Boy" (Shunpousha). The English version of "Yamato Colony," won the 2021 Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Award for the best book on ethnic groups or social issues from the Florida Historical Society.

(Updated November 2021)