On Being Yukiko - Summary

In On Being Yukiko, we dive into the life of a young girl named Emma, who finds herself standing at the crossroads of her mixed heritage. Though raised in Canada, she carries in her Japan—a land she hasn’t known, yet a part of her identity she can’t ignore. Emma is like any other girl in her neighbourhood, yet there's a name that binds her to a faraway land—Yukiko. A name, delicate as the cherry blossoms in spring, and as ancient as the roots of the towering Ginkgo trees that touch the skies of Japan. This name is a whisper from the past, used only by her grandmother.

Her grandmother, a resilient woman, is a bridge between Emma and the enigmatic realm of her Japanese lineage. With silver hair, that reflects the wisdom of ages, her grandmother is the keeper of stories—stories of valour, love, loss, and a sacred bond with a land across the Pacific. Through the cold Canadian winters, her grandmother weaves tales of their ancestors, painting pictures of the quaint landscapes and people of past generations.

Emma listens, her heart swaying like the waves that once carried her ancestors to the shores of Canada. She starts seeing her reflection not just in the snowy terrains of her homeland but also in the calm ripples of the koi ponds from her grandmother’s tales. With every story, Emma finds fragments of Yukiko nestling within her.

Her Japanese name, once a mere whisper, starts resonating through the corners of her being, unfurling a tapestry of belonging that interlinks the maple leaves of Canada with the cherry blossoms of Japan. Emma discovers that Yukiko is not just a name, but a narrative, a legacy carried in her heartbeat, echoing the blend of two worlds that course through her veins. Through the tender gaze of her grandmother, Emma embarks on a journey inward, exploring the depths of her identity and embracing the heritage that once seemed like a distant echo. 

Discussion questions

1. How does Yukiko’s journey of self-discovery in On Being Yukiko compare to Chiba Stearns’ journey in One Big Hapa Family?

2. What are the key events that lead Yukiko to a deeper understanding of her Canadian Nikkei heritage in On Being Yukiko?