Nikkei Chronicles #2—Nikkei+: Stories of Mixed Language, Traditions, Generations & Race
Being Nikkei is inherently a state of mixed traditions and cultures. For many Nikkei communities and families around the world, it is common to use both chopsticks and forks; mix Japanese words with Spanish; or celebrate the New Year’s Eve countdown with champagne and Oshogatsu with ozoni and other Japanese traditions.
This series introduces stories explore how Nikkei around the world perceive and experience being multiracial, multinational, multilingual, and multigenerational.
Each piece submitted to the Nikkei+ anthology was eligible for selection as our readers’ favorites.
Here are their favorite stories in each language.
- English:
Diary of a Mad Hapa Judo Girl
By Chanda Ishisaka - Japanese:
Kokichi-san
By Laura Honda-Hasegawa - Spanish:
The Mabuyá or the Earthquake that Brings Good Luck: Some Traditions of my Oba that are now memories of my childhood
By Milagros Tsukayama Shinzato - Portuguese:
The Candle That Burns Out
By Eduardo Goo Nakashima
Stories from this series
"Knowing" Multiethnic Identity; Field Notes on Mr. Virgil Westdale
Oct. 16, 2013 • James Ong
Identity is a fickle concept. When we talk about “ethnicity” and its ties to identity, we are engaged in a delicate balancing act, making meaning out of how we feel about ourselves and how others view us. Multiethnicity provides a compelling model of this negotiation; “authenticity” fundamentally boils down to an argument over “blood” and “culture,” between what others see and what’s in our hearts. As a mixed Chinese American and a UCLA Asian American Studies graduate student, I deal …
My Japanese Jewish Girl Fears
Oct. 9, 2013 • Francesca Yukari Biller
As a Japanese-Jewish American girl, I have suffered. It’s not just that both of my tribes were placed in camps because they were simply born, or perhaps hated for being smart, bold, different, and even oddly wonderful. As a Jew, I am reminded continually that I am lucky to be alive, part of the chosen, and should I kvetch about my standing in life, may God burn me like a self-burning bush—and one that isn’t even on sale. And as a …
The Candle That Burns Out
Oct. 7, 2013 • Eduardo Goo Nakashima
Last May 23, I completed 10 years as Administrative Secretary General at the Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture, known as Bunkyo. In December 2006, the full name of the institution was changed to Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and Social Services, but that’s a topic for some other time. May 23 is an important date for the city of São Paulo. On this day in 1932, four young students were murdered by federal government forces, an event that led Paulistas1 …
Living in the Overlap
Oct. 4, 2013 • Lora Nakamura
Two years ago, I met a Mexican American man and this meeting would change my life forever. We were from two different worlds, yet we still found the intersection where those two worlds overlapped, a special place created just for us. And in that place, we were not labels. He was not a Mexican American and I was not a Japanese American. We were greater than that. We were simply limitless potential. One week ago, I met a Korean American …
Japanese or American? Let me decide who I am!
Oct. 2, 2013 • Mina Otsuka
You’re bilingual! Hey I wanna hear you speak English! Can you say something in English? Here in Japan, my English stands out as a skill that’s still “rare” enough to get people’s attention, both among my close Japanese friends and total strangers whenever I throw out random English words on the street. I moved to the US when I was 16 years old and never identified myself with any of the existing Japanese and/or American groups whether it be a …
The Space Between
Sept. 27, 2013 • Linda Cooper
My best friend Brenda noted recently that we and our parents are a dying generation. We are the daughters of U.S. soldier dads and Japanese moms. These soldiers fell in love with Japan, and our moms during their tours of duty in the aftermath of World War II, and brought their brides home to the U.S. My parents have both passed away, as well as Brenda’s dad. Her mom is now 80. Brenda and I are only children and are …