Stuff contributed by traciakemi
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Hoping for a Rainbow
Curtiss Takada Rooks, traci kato-kiriyama
We are overjoyed to again feature Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks in this springtime edition of the Nikkei Uncovered poetry column. Professor and Los Angeles-based creative, Dr. Takada Rooks offers us two wondrous and personal pieces of memory, homage, and hope - inviting us to recall the songs of our families, …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Between Query and Legacy
Susan Hayase, traci kato-kiriyama
This month, we feature the fierce and insightful voice of San Jose-based Susan Hayase. While I am most familiar with Susan in intergenerational community organizing and activist spaces, I am grateful always to read her writing, as she has so much to share and teach us. Here we present pieces …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Remembrance
Carolee Okamoto, Kathy Nishimoto Masaoka, traci kato-kiriyama
In the spirit of “remembrance” with Day Of Remembrance programs happening all around the country — we feature personal tributes by two Sansei writers, Carolee Okamoto, based in Washington, and Kathy Masaoka, based in Los Angeles. Carolee’s poem honors the warrior within her grandmother, a samurai’s daughter and a farmer’s …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Half-empty/half-full
Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, traci kato-kiriyama
As we welcome 2024, we welcome another new writer to the Nikkei Uncovered space. We have three pieces of prose and poetry from Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, a Bloomfield CT based writer. The pieces here remind us of the transition through the in-between, what is at once behind and in front of …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 7
Amy Uyematsu, traci kato-kiriyama
Here we share a final installment of a long series tribute to the late, great Amy Uyematsu. Since July, following her passing on June 23, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of sharing many voices in celebration of Amy through Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column. And as I continue to …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 6
traci kato-kiriyama, Pam Ward
This month, we have the pleasure of featuring two poems from the great Pam Ward in our continued homage to the late Amy Uyematsu. In the mid 1990’s, Pam and Amy, along with Gloria Alvarez, Jiseh James, and Nancy Padron, organized Cantaluz (“sing light”) to come together and read as …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 5
Kathy Nishimoto Masaoka, Nina Chan, Keiko Ikari Miya, Janice Iwanaga Yen, Lynn Taise, traci kato-kiriyama
As we continue to pay homage to the great Amy Uyematsu, we wanted to feature a special collective poem that was just presented last weekend at the Japanese American National Museum at Amy’s Celebration of Life by five friends of Amy - her best friend Lynn Taise and four writers …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 4
F. Douglas Brown, traci kato-kiriyama
As we continue to pay homage to the great Amy Uyematsu — who, yes, I will continue to call the People’s Poet Laureate of J-Town — I am so grateful and honored to present a poem in this series of homage, by another one of my favorite people and writers, …
Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 3
Teresa Mei Chuc, Mike Sonksen, traci kato-kiriyama
This month, we continue to pay tribute to Amy Uyematsu with two wonderful poetry and prose pieces from powerful LA writers. Amy was an inspiration to many and I am so pleased to feature work here by Teresa Mei Chuc and Mike Sonksen. Both of these inspiring writers were colleagues and …