Stuff contributed by ckomai

Nikkei Chronicles #9—More Than a Game: Nikkei Sports

Exceeding All Expectations

Chris Komai

Keston Hiura has made a habit of breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes on his way to major league success.

Howard Kakudo: Disney Animator Shared His Talents While Imprisoned at Poston Camp

Chris Komai

In seeking to preserve and share the Japanese American experience, the Japanese American National Museum maintains the largest collection of its kind in the world. While clearly a serious and scholarly endeavor, the collection also contains items that touch on popular culture and (dare we say) are fun.

The Japanese American Basketball Connection - Part 2

Chris Komai

Read Part 1 >>

The Japanese American Basketball Connection - Part 1

Chris Komai

When I was five years old, our family lived in Los Angeles on 12th Avenue, near what was known as the Seinan district. Construction of the Santa Monica Freeway was being planned, and its path went right through our home. Because of this our house was condemned, and our family …

The Unseen Price of Redress

Chris Komai

The passage and signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 remains the most significant event for Japanese Americans since World War II. In an unprecedented act of Congress, the U.S. government apologized for its unlawful forced removal and mass incarceration of thousands of people of Japanese ancestry during the …

Why Hasn’t Ichiro Retired?

Chris Komai


Too Much Mottainai?

Chris Komai


My Japanese American Families

Chris Komai

How well do you know your own family? Specifically, your extended family: uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins, great aunts, etc. Maybe it is because I am older now, but it seems my relationship with my father’s family has only grown stronger. Even my relationship to my wife’s family has developed, …

Carrying on Tradition: A visit to Bunkado and the artistic, eclectic heart of Little Tokyo

Chris Komai

Bunkado sits both physically and metaphorically at the crossroads of Little Tokyo.

Who's More Japanese?

Chris Komai

One strong characteristic that marks the Japanese culture is the constant striving to name and define everything. They have a penchant for labeling ideas, types of food, special occasions, religious ceremonies, the changing seasons, and virtually every aspect of their lives. So it is not surprising that Japanese and Japanese …

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About

Chris Komai is a freelance writer who has been involved in Little Tokyo for five decades. He was the Public Information Officer of the Japanese American National Museum for over 21 years, where he handled publicity for the organization’s special events, exhibitions and public programs. Prior to that, Komai worked for the Japanese-English newspaper The Rafu Shimpo for 18 years as a sports writer, sports editor and English editor. Komai also serves on the Little Tokyo Community Council Board, the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association Board and the Keiro Foundation Board. He has been a member of the Southern California Nisei Athletic Union Board for basketball and baseball for 40 years. Komai is one of the founders of the Nikkei Basketball Heritage Association (NBHA), which seeks to connect JA basketball history to the current players and their families. He earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of California at Riverside.

Nikkei interests

  • community history
  • family stories
  • Japanese/Nikkei food
  • Japantowns
  • Japanese American community basketball

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