Terry Watada’s Nikkei Manga-gatari,  The Sword, the Medal and the Rosary book launch at Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Saturday, November 23, 2013.

On Saturday, November 23, 2013, the literAsian Festival in association with the Japanese Canadian Citizens Association of Greater Vancouver, Asian Canadian Writers Workshop and Ricepaper Magazine , will launch Terry Watada’s manga The Sword, the Medal and the Rosary (HpF Press and the NAJC, Toronto ON 2013).

The Sword, the Medal and the Rosary is based on the life and times of Yasuo Takashima, a first generation Japanese Canadian (Issei ) who fought in WWI and suffered the internment during WWII despite his service and heroism.  The story illuminates the man’s exploits through the major events of Japanese Canadian history.  Through the Vancouver Race Riots in 1907, Takashima carried a sword to fight off the rioters.  He was decorated with the Military Medal for bravery in WWI.  Through a poignant love affair with a Parisian woman, he obtained a rosary as a memento of their love.  He carried these three artifacts throughout his life.  On his deathbed, he suffered one last indignity which is emblematic of the Japanese Canadian experience.

Terry Watada is a writer of novels, short stories, poems, plays, histories and biographies.  He has several books in print.  After writing a monthly column for the Nikkei Voice through its first 25 years, he contributes a monthly column in the National Section of the Bulletin Magazine .  He is proud to provide the stories for the planned three volume Nikkei Manga-gatari series.  The Sword, the Medal and the Rosary is the first.

Kenji Iwata is an illustrator and designer based in Toronto.  He is skilled in traditional and digital media, including animation, computer graphics and storyboards.  He has learned a great deal about his own history and Japanese Canadian culture through this project.

The launch will be held at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby BC from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Admission is free.  Terry Watada will be in attendance with copies to sign and sell ($10.00 per copy, tax included).
This event is hosted by the Nikkei National Museum Book Store and all proceeds will go towards the Museum.