Silvia Lumy Akioka
@silvialumySilvia Lumy Akioka is a Brazilian Sansei. She was a dekasegui at age 17, and on another occasion, she was an Exchange Student in Fukuoka Prefecture, when she published the series "The Year of a Brazilian Across the World" (Portuguese only) - it was her first contact with Discover Nikkei. She is an admirer of Japanese culture, and she also likes blogging about other themes. She was in Los Angeles volunteering for Discover Nikkei in April 2012, and she has been an official consultant for the project for 6 years.
Updated February 2019
Stories from This Author
About the web series NipoBrasileiros
July 8, 2019 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
When I found out that the web series NipoBrasileiros would be released on YouTube in April this year (2019), I was very curious. What approach would have been taken? Why was an independent producer interested in the topic? Immediately, I researched Pietà Filmes e Produções - previously unknown to me. It is a production company that creates audiovisual content for cinema, TV and new media. According to them, “they look for stories with characters who are normally invisible”. It started …
In Company with the Happy Old Age
Feb. 13, 2019 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
I went to visit a very dear aunt who lives on the coast of Sao Paulo. I am proud of her, for even in her eighties she drives her car, cooks, and she has been living alone since her husband passed away. Oh, of course, she likes to take walks, karaoke, and she has a lot of friends. I do not get much along with the elderly and my mother passed away when I was 25, so I miss hearing …
Dona Terezinha’s teachings
Sept. 27, 2016 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
My mother's name was Terezinha. She left us this earthly life at the age of 59 and I consider that she lived very little. They say that good people live a short life because they needed less time to evolve spiritually. I believe this, my mother was a great person. I have many memories with her and as we are a Nikkei family, some of these memories refer to striking Japanese words. We are three daughters. That's right, only women. …
My gastronomic habits in Brazil
May 3, 2012 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
In my childhood, I thought that all Brazilian families had a rice cooker at home. Not only that, I imagined that it was usual for Brazilians to eat misoshiru in the cold weather and eat tamago-gohan when there was not a side dish. Do you know what tamago-gohan is? The tamago-gohan is a mixture of egg with rice and the directions are very simple: just mix a raw egg with a little soy sauce (shoyu) and place it over the …
Chapter 10: Memories of my exchange program in Fukuoka
May 26, 2010 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
At home, in Brazil, we always talked in Portuguese. During my adolescence, I attended Japanese classes because my parents wanted that, but honestly I did not give much importance. After stopping the classes, I didn´t use Japanese anymore and I forgot much of what I learned. Of course today, I am grateful for my parents´ efforts and for how much consideration they had in my upbringing. There are things in life that we just realize after some time and maturity. …
Chapter 9: A walk in the snow of Hokkaido
Feb. 23, 2010 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido province, is the fifth largest city in Japan. Sapporo was the site of the Winter Olympic Games in February 1972 and still organizes international winter sports events. Its summers are cool, which ends up attracting many tourists from other parts of Japan to enjoy its pleasant temperatures, but its winters are very cold and harsh. In winter, the region attracts tourists from all over the world for its biggest annual event, the Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival), …
Chapter 8: Memories of a former dekassegui
Jan. 28, 2010 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
I ended up remembering my times as a dekassegui, when visiting a city where many of them still live, despite the crisis that also affected this country. It was just two days, but it brought back memories of an entire period. The day started very early. It started even earlier for my dear mother, who lovingly prepared our obentô . 1 I miss your food! We woke up early to wait for the construction company's bus. It took about forty …
Chapter 7: The seasons in Japan
Dec. 1, 2009 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
The climate in Japan varies greatly depending on the seasons, making it possible to characterize each one well. It's hard to believe that there were days when I was really hot here. I barely got out of the shower and I was already sweating again. I had left all the turtlenecks, coats and blankets in storage, but lately I've been taking everything out of the drawers to use again. In September, autumn began ( aki ). It's persimmon season and …
Chapter 6: The gastronomic side of Fukuoka.
Oct. 29, 2009 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
Fukuoka Prefecture is also known for its gastronomic variety and quality. At the top of the list of famous dishes is “Hakata Ramen”. The characteristics that give Hakata Ramen its special taste are the broth made from pork meat and bones and the firm texture of the noodles, with a very strong smell. It is recommended to eat the noodles before they become too soft. In addition to the basic toppings of roast pork slice and chopped scallions, you can …
Chapter 5: Memories of Hiroshima
Sept. 29, 2009 • Silvia Lumy Akioka
When I arrived at the Hiroshima train station, I felt fulfilled to be there. For a long time, I had the desire to visit this historic and surprising region of Japan. Today, after having discovered it, I remember with admiration and respect everything I felt and saw in that place. Of course, Hiroshima has now returned to being a developed city, but the fact that it went through a tragedy will forever characterize the place. Anyone who hears about Hiroshima …
Discover Nikkei Updates
See exciting new changes to Discover Nikkei. Find out what’s new and what’s coming soon!
Follow us @discovernikkei for new site content, program announcements, and more!
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook