This course teaches students about short stories by Nikkei writers from the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. The course helps students learn to analyse literature and gets them ready for more advanced Nikkei diaspora literature studies in their third and fourth years. It covers the basics needed to understand this literature. 

During the course, students will read a selection of short stories by Nikkei authors. These stories, which show the experiences of Japanese people living abroad, will be analysed through literary criticism. Each story will be looked at through one of these themes: diaspora, race, identity, or belonging. Starting with these short stories will help students develop the skills to later read longer, more complex works by Nikkei writers.

The short stories we will study are (in order):

1. Kazuo Ishiguro “The Summer After the War ” (United Kingdom). In post-WWII Japan, a young boy named Ichiro is sent to live with his grandfather in Kagoshima.  While adjusting to his new life and the lingering scars of war, Ichiro becomes fascinated by his grandfather, a renowned artist who has abandoned painting. Through their interactions and Ichiro's own burgeoning passion for art, the story subtly explores themes of memory, guilt, and the complexities of Japanese identity in the aftermath of the war.  Ishiguro's signature understated style creates a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.

2. Hisaye Yamamoto ”A Day in Little Tokyo ” (United States). This short story offers a glimpse into the lives of a Japanese-American family in Southern California during the 1980s.  When a planned beach trip turns into a visit to Little Tokyo, young Chisato's disappointment and a series of unfortunate events unfold, highlighting the subtle tensions and challenges faced by the family within the broader American society. Yamamoto's keen observations of everyday life and her focus on the perspective of a young girl create a moving and insightful portrait of the Japanese-American experience.

3. Jeff Chiba Stearns and Lillian Michiko Blakey On Being Yukiko (Canada). This graphic novel tells the intergenerational story of a young girl named Emma who is a quarter Japanese.  Through the stories of her ancestors, particularly her great-great-grandmother Maki, a "picture bride" who immigrated to Canada, Emma learns about her Canadian Nikkei heritage and the hardships faced by her family during WWII.  The novel blends distinct visual styles to explore themes of identity, family history, and the impact of displacement and incarceration on Canadian Nikkei.

4. Masako Fukui When Blossoms Fall  (Australia). This story follows Hajime, a former kamikaze pilot in training, as he navigates his postwar life in Australia with his wife and daughter.  Haunted by his past and the unfulfilled mission to die for his country, Hajime becomes involved in a movement to honour the kamikaze pilots, leading to complex consequences for himself and his family.  Fukui's narrative explores themes of memory, guilt, national identity, and the enduring impact of war on individual lives and family relationships.

Spring semester: United Kingdom, United States

This course helps students understand books by Nikkei authors from the UK and USA. It teaches how to analyse literature. Students will learn important facts and methods needed to understand this type of literature.

During the course, students will read Nikkei literature from both countries. They will focus on novels and use literary criticism to explore the experiences and views of people of Japanese descent living outside Japan. 

During the semester we will visit Kobe. This trip will help us learn more about the global Nikkei diaspora and build connections in the seminar group. We will tour the Kobe Center for Overseas Migration and Cultural Interaction and have time at the museum. Then, we will walk around Kobe to see its multicultural history.

The novels we will study are (in order):

1. Kazuo Ishiguro Klara and the Sun  (United Kingdom). Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF), is chosen as a companion for Josie, a young girl facing an unspecified illness.  Told from Klara's perspective, the novel explores themes of love, loss, mortality, and the evolving nature of humanity in a technologically advanced world.  Ishiguro's masterful use of Klara's innocent and observant voice raises profound questions about artificial intelligence, the ethics of technology, and what it truly means to be human.

2. John Okada No-No Boy (United States). Ichiro Yamada returns to Seattle after spending two years in prison for refusing to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.  As a Japanese-American, Ichiro struggles with the shame of his decision, the prejudice he faces from both white Americans and his own community, and the difficulty of finding his place in a country that incarcerated him for his beliefs.  Okada's powerful novel offers a poignant and unflinching look at the complexities of identity, loyalty, and the long-lasting consequences of war and incarceration on Japanese-Americans.

Autumn semester: Canada, (Student Choice)

This course explores Nikkei literature from Canada and other countries, focusing on novels and literary criticism to understand the experiences and views of people of Japanese descent living outside Japan. Students will analyse works through the themes of diaspora, race, identity, or belonging, learning key concepts and methods for understanding this unique literature. They will also choose a book for independent study and present their findings, often using this research for their final year thesis.

The novels we will study are (in order):

1. Hiromi Goto Chorus of Mushrooms (Canada). This is the story of three generations of Canadian Nikkei women: Naoe, her daughter Keiko, and her granddaughter Murasaki. The novel is narrated by these three women, with the narrative shifting between their perspectives. Naoe, the grandmother, is a stubborn and outspoken woman who clings to her Japanese heritage. Her daughter, Keiko, is more assimilated into Canadian culture and wants to distance herself from her Japanese roots. Murasaki, the granddaughter, is caught between these two cultures, trying to understand her identity and find her place in the world. Through the voices of these women, the novel explores themes of cultural identity, family relationships, and the search for belonging.

2. The student has the freedom to choose any Nikkei novel written in English, but the professor must approve the selection. 

This course helps students write and submit their graduation thesis. Students will attend monthly meetings with their classmates and have one-on-one appointments with their professor. The course starts by discussing the Nikkei diaspora literature and the importance of choosing a specific focus for the thesis. Students will learn about the structure and requirements for the thesis and start brainstorming ideas. The meetings will cover research strategies, writing, citation format, and receiving feedback on their progress. In November, students will finalise their thesis and in December, they will prepare for the oral defence. To make the most out of their appointment with the professor, students should submit their work at least one week before and come prepared with questions or areas of concern. Appointments can be made from the Contact page.