Kyra Karatsu

@kyrakaratsu

Kyra Karatsu was born and raised in Santa Clarita, CA. She is currently a first-year Journalism student at College of the Canyons in Valencia, CA and hopes to transfer to a university after the completion of her AA degree. Kyra is a Japanese-German Yonsei and enjoys reading and writing about the Asian American experience.

Updated January 2021

Stories from This Author

Nikkei Chronicles #10—Nikkei Generations: Connecting Families & Communities

Oh, Bachan, How Your Garden Grows

May 30, 2021 • Kyra Karatsu

The longer my father and I navigate the Inglewood Cemetery, the more comical it becomes. “Turn here, no turn there, oh there it is!” No matter how many times we visit, that same frazzled exchange is always held. But, when we finally get to the top of the hill, the view makes our antics worthwhile. It’s almost ironic to see the world from this height, buzzing with wondrous life while the departed rest peacefully above. At this altitude, it is …

Discover Nikkei families Mary Karatsu Nikkei Chronicles (series) Nikkei Generations (series)

Zoom & Zoni: How the Nikkei Community Celebrated the New Year

Jan. 29, 2021 • Kyra Karatsu

To put it simply, Oshogatsu looked a little bit different this year. Maybe our kitchens lacked the same hustle, bustle, and lively commotion of the years prior. Or perhaps our ozoni was missing just that one special ingredient that tied it all together. Whatever the case may be, welcoming in this New Year was certainly an unusual experience. Oshogatsu, or the Japanese New Year, is a celebration of food, tradition, and—at its core—family. Found in both Japan and global Nikkei …

culture Discover Nikkei families family festivals festivals food mochitsuki New Year Oshogatsu traditions

The Commodification of Asian Americans

Jan. 22, 2021 • Kyra Karatsu

It is strange to be a commodity. When I was younger, I didn’t like the fact that I was Asian. Even as someone who is half-Japanese, I still found myself envying the thick, blonde curls of my favorite Disney princesses. I wished that I wasn’t so dark-skinned or tan easily so I could look more like my childhood friends. And I wished that my last name didn’t sound so foreign and feel strange on the tongues of teachers and classmates. …

Asian Americans identity Japanese Americans