Remarking on "Meeting Cubanchu Consins" by Lesley Chinen.

editor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:45:44 -0700

REMARKING ON “MEETING CUBANCHU COUSINS” BY LESLEY CHINEN.

I’m truly sorry for not having commented earlier on the article published by journalist Lesley Chinen about the Cuban Nikkei of the Isla de la Juventud. Within the happy environment she presents of the successful meeting they had, we can perceive a local reality that seems to be nearly unknown to most Nikkei on the American continent, possibly because they have settled on an island (Isla de la Juventud), inside an island nation (Cuba), and on top of that they have come from another island (Okinawa).

To read Lesley’s words is to give the reader a pleasant feeling while wishing for even more. It is as important to learn more about the daily lives of those “Cubanchu” as well as their historical past. I believe they can show us a new existential reality of people of Japanese ancestry who established themselves on Western soil, with a never-ending ability to settle in different environments without ever losing their roots. All this, in spite of giving everything to prepare their children to serve their new country, which offers them a place where they can be born and prosper.

Personally, I’d ask Lesley for more information – if she has it – about those Nikkei and, if possible, some tips that will allow others to communicate directly with them. Also, I’d like to know if it’s possible to buy Benita Iha’s book “Shamisen.”

My sincere congratulations to Lesley for her pleasant experiences and for the opportunity she has given us to get to know our siblings, the “Cubanchu,” with whom we should become better acquainted.

-- Ariel Takeda

*This comment was originally written in Spanish and translated.

Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins" - Worldwide Uchinanchu Join Cuba’s Okinawans in Celebrating Their Centennial - Part 1 of 4

editor — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:00:45 -0700

Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins"

Worldwide Uchinanchu Join Cuba’s Okinawans in Celebrating Their Centennial - Part 1
By Lesley Chinen

First of a four-part series.

The five of us boarded our flight to Mexico with little knowledge and much anticipation of what awaited us at our final destination. Ken, another group member, was on a separate flight; he was to meet us in Mexico. Akiko, our delegation leader, had left a day earlier. We called ourselves “Choode (brothers and sisters) Without Borders,” because our trip to Cuba was not just a vacation: It was a mission.

DiscoverNikkei.org - Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins" - Worldwide Uchinanchu Join Cuba’s Okinawans in Celebrating Their Centennial - Part 1 of 4 - Comments

Remarking on "Meeting Cubanchu Consins" by Lesley Chinen.

Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins" - Worldwide Uchinanchu Join Cuba’s Okinawans in Celebrating Their Centennial - Part 1 of 4

Meeting Cubanchu "Cousins"