Syllabus on Campus Square ↗️ (Kobe University students only)

Course Description

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 positions them for more advanced literature studies. 

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 or more of these themes: diaspora, race, identity, and belonging. Starting with these short stories will help students develop the skills to later read longer, more complex works.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the literary works of Nikkei authors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

2. Analyse literature using literary criticism and apply it to the study of Nikkei diaspora literature.

3. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the factual, conceptual, and procedural knowledge required to analyse and understand Nikkei diaspora literature.

4. Study a sample of Nikkei diaspora literature, focusing on short stories and later developing the skills to study longer and more complex novels.

5. Understand the unique experiences and perspectives of people of Japanese descent living outside of Japan by exploring stories through literary criticism.

Resources

Click the links below for reading guides and download links to the full text of each short story. 

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. You are also asked to watch the documentary film One Big Hapa Family in preparation for reading On Being Yukiko. 

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.

Classes

1. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Introduction to Nikkei Diaspora Literature

What would you like to learn in this seminar?

What does the professor expect in this seminar?

What will we do in this seminar?

What is Nikkei diaspora literature? 

2. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] What is literature? Kazuo Ishiguro - "The Summer After the War" - pages 1 to 7

What is literature?

Kazuo Ishiguro - "The Summer After the War" (pages 1 to 7)

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro (UK).

Analysis: (a) plot; (b) context.

“The Summer After the War” (pages 1 to 7).

Discussion questions.

3. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Kazuo Ishiguro - "The Summer After the War" - pages 8 to 14

Analysis: (c) themes; (d) quotes.

Close reading pages 8 to 14.

Discussion questions.

4. [ON-DEMAND CLASS] Diaspora Literature: Tracing Roots and Routes

What is diaspora? 

How do diasporas influence cultures?

Why is diaspora literature important?

5. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Kazuo Ishiguro - "The Summer After the War" - pages 15 to 20 end

Analysis: (e) characters; (f) symbols & imagery.

Close reading pages 15 to 20 (end).

Discussion questions.

6. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Hisaye Yamamoto - "A Day in Little Tokyo" - pages 114 to 121 end

Author: Hisaye Yamamoto (US).

Analysis: (a) plot; (b) context; (c) themes; (d) quotes;  (e) characters; (f) symbols & imagery.

Close reading pages 114 to 121 (end).

Discussion questions. 

7. [ON-DEMAND CLASS] Jeff Chiba Stearns - One Big Hapa Family

In the award-winning documentary One Big Hapa Family, mixed-race Japanese Canadians challenge historical silences to celebrate their complex identities and reframe the Japanese diaspora through interracial marriage and multi-ethnic belonging.

8. [ON-DEMAND CLASS] The Concept of Race in Diaspora Literature

What is race?

How do diasporas view race in their literature? 

How does diaspora literature challenge common ideas about race? 

9. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Jeff Chiba Stearns & Lillian Michiko Blakey - On Being Yukiko 

Authors: Jeff Chiba Stearns & Lillian Michiko Blakey (Canada).

Analysis: (a) plot; (b) context; (c) themes; (d) quotes;  (e) characters; (f) symbols & imagery.

Close reading.

Discussion questions.

10. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Masako Fukui - When Blossoms Fall - pages 1 to 7

Author: Masako Fukui (Australia.

Analysis: (a) plot; (b) context.

Close reading pages 1 to 7.

Discussion questions.

11. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Masako Fukui - When Blossoms Fall - pages 8 to 19

Analysis: ; (c) themes; (d) quotes.

Close reading pages 8 to 19.

Discussion questions.

12. [ON-DEMAND CLASS] Understanding Identity in Diaspora Literature

What is identity? 

In what ways is identity portrayed in diaspora literature? 

13. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Masako Fukui - When Blossoms Fall - pages 20 to 31

Analysis: (e) characters; (f) symbols & imagery.

Close reading pages 20 to 31.

Discussion questions.

14. [REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS] Masako Fukui - When Blossoms Fall - pages 32 to 43 end

Close reading pages 32 to 43 (end).

Discussion questions.

Class reflection.

15. [ON-DEMAND CLASS] Introduction to Literary Analysis

This class introduces literary analysis which illuminates the hidden layers of storytelling in literature. We'll unlock the secrets of profound reading, decoding everything from symbolic nuances to thematic intricacies. Drawing from Thomas C. Foster's celebrated guide How to Read Literature Like a Professor, we’ll dissect quest narratives, unearth symbols, and decipher character archetypes. This class will transform your reading experience, revealing the richnessof diaspora literary works.

Assignment

Exploring Nikkei Diaspora Literature

This essay assignment challenges you to explore the complexities of identity and belonging as portrayed in the short stories we have studied in this course. Choose two stories from the following list:

• Kazuo Ishiguro, "The Summer After the War"

• Hisaye Yamamoto, "A Day in Little Tokyo"  

• Jeff Chiba Stearns & Lillian Michiko Blakey, On Being Yukiko  

• Masako Fukui, "When Blossoms Fall"

In a well-structured essay of approximately 1000-1500 words, compare and contrast how the chosen stories explore the themes of identity and belonging within the context of the Nikkei diaspora. Consider the following questions as guiding points for your analysis:

• How do the authors represent the challenges and complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities? Do the characters experience conflict between their Japanese heritage and their adopted cultures? How is this conflict expressed?

• How do the stories portray the search for belonging? Do the characters find a sense of belonging, or are they perpetually caught between different worlds? What are the different spaces (physical, social, cultural) that contribute to or hinder their sense of belonging?

• How do historical events, such as war, immigration, and discrimination, shape the characters' understanding of themselves and their place in the world? How do these historical contexts influence their sense of identity and belonging?

• What literary techniques (e.g., characterisation, setting, symbolism, narrative perspective) do the authors employ to convey these themes? Provide specific examples from the texts to support your analysis.

• How do the stories reflect broader themes related to diaspora, race, and cultural memory? How do they contribute to our understanding of the Nikkei experience?

Structure and Formatting:

Your essay should include:

• An introduction that clearly states your thesis and outlines the two stories you will be analysing.

• Body paragraphs that develop your argument, providing specific textual evidence and analysis for each story. Ensure that you effectively compare and contrast the two stories, highlighting both similarities and differences in their treatment of the themes.

• A conclusion that summarises your main points and offers a final reflection on the significance of these stories in understanding the Nikkei diaspora experience.

Your essay should be formatted according to academic standards (e.g., double-spaced, 12-point font, consistent citation style, preferably MLA). Please ensure that you proofread your work carefully for grammar and spelling errors.

Submission:

Follow the instructions given by the professor on how to submit by the deadline.

Assessment Criteria:

Your essay will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and focus of your thesis statement.

• Depth and insight of your analysis.

• Effective use of textual evidence to support your arguments.

• Organisation and structure of your essay.

• Clarity and accuracy of your writing.

• Adherence to formatting guidelines.

This assignment provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of the course material and your ability to engage in critical literary analysis. I encourage you to explore the chosen stories in a thoughtful and nuanced way, considering the complexities of identity and belonging within the Nikkei diaspora.