Nikkei Chronicles #10—Nikkei Generations: Connecting Families & Communities
The theme of the 10th edition of Nikkei Chronicles—Nikkei Generations: Connecting Families & Communities—takes a look at intergenerational relationships in Nikkei communities around the world, with a particular focus on the emerging younger generations of Nikkei and how they connect (or don’t) with their roots and with older generations.
Discover Nikkei solicited stories related to Nikkei Generations from May to September 2021. Voting closed on November 8, 2021. We received 31 stories (21 English; 2 Japanese; 3 Spanish; and 7 Portuguese) from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, and the US, with a few submitted in multiple languages.
An editorial committee chose a favorite story in each language. In addition, a Nima-kai favorite was determined by online community voting. Here are the selections! (*Translations of the selected stories are currently in progress.)
Editorial Committee’s Favorites
- ENGLISH:
Oh, Bachan, How Your Garden Grows
By Kyra Karatsu - JAPANESE:
Happy to Be of Help—My Japanese-learning Classes
By Kazue Ishii - SPANISH:
An Unfortunate Break
By José Yoshida Sherikawa - PORTUGUESE:
Ojiichans
By Ana Shitara
Nima-kai Favorite:
- 43 Stars
The Spirit of Giving
By Troy Miyazato
To learn more about this writing project >>
* This series is presented in partnership with:
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*Logo design by Jay Horinouchi
Stories from this series
In Conversation with Japanese-Australian artist Elysha Rei
Sept. 26, 2021 • Elysha Rei
Brisbane-based artist Elysha Rei’s bold paintings and intricate paper cuttings draw upon her Japanese heritage. Her grandmother Akiko was raised in Osaka until her father died when she was 12, as well as Tokyo and Manchuria. She was working as a typist just after the war when she met Glen an Australian soldier stationed in Iwakuni as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces. The two fell in love and married in 1948. They had their first daughter in Japan …
childhood memories
Sept. 23, 2021 • José Yoshida Sherikawa
I am a Peruvian son of Japanese, a Nisei, born before the Second World War. I am part of a generation in the process of disappearing. We experienced the change from being “Japanese born in Peru,” to, over the years, becoming “Peruvian children of Japanese.” We had the privilege of living the gradual process of integration into the greater society, leaving behind our situation as “discriminated and discriminating” subjects, to become the “Peruvian nisei proud to be what we are.” …
Life with Grandpa Toyoji & Grandma Kii Imai - Part 2
Sept. 21, 2021 • Akinori Imai
Read Part 1 >> Grandmother Kii Imai (1873-1964) displayed her humbleness, respect for all forms of life, her debt of gratitude for everything, and her meekness. She was not as well educated formally as grandfather, but yet understood the nature of man and lived a life of gratitude. She greeted everyone with a deep bow, always with a smiling face. Unlike grandpa, she was the one who tilled the soil and took care of the back yard garden and grew …
Life with Grandpa Toyoji & Grandma Kii Imai - Part 1
Sept. 20, 2021 • Akinori Imai
PartGrandpa Toyoji (1869-1953--from Niigata, Japan) was unquestionably a unique person, exercising complete freedom and free will. His mannerisms and actions that he displayed, his character that he portrayed, makes me think he was one that no one can ever duplicate. He would be so stern at times, and yet on the other hand he could be very compassionate and caring. Grandfather was never a physical person, in that he was never seen in the back yard garden, nor working with …
Yoru no kangaegoto | Night Thoughts
Sept. 17, 2021 • Mimi Okabe , Sachi Kikuchi
“Jyā mata raishū ne!” “See you later!” The Zoom call ends, and I finally head to bed. Another long day has passed for the both of us. Meetings, deadlines, teaching. Otsukare sama! As I lie on my bed, staring into the dark abyss above, I reflect on how the day went, and the things I need to prepare for tomorrow. How did we get here? By here, I mean co-founding Japanese for Nikkei and trying to advocate the importance of …
Fishing with Dad
Sept. 16, 2021 • John Sunada
My first recollection of catching a fish was when my dad took me to the San Joaquin River, just below the massive 544-foot-tall Friant Dam, which is located 20 miles east of Fresno. For a 12-year-old, fishing was boring since I had yet to catch a fish. But Dad taught me how to tie a hook, to bait the hook with salmon eggs, how to cast out the line, and to be patient. So, he sat me down under the …