Licensing

[Audio] Poetic License? Nikkei Writers and the Representation of History

Fiction—and even nonfiction—can misrepresent Nikkei history; Nikkei writing can also present history in ways that interpret the story for a greater understanding of its subjects. If a piece of writing is fictional, does it matter how it relates to (or ignores) history? This session aims to raise questions about the relationship between literature and history that is often at the heart of Nikkei creativity in the arts.

Moderator:

• Stephen H. Sumida, Ph.D., Professor of American Ethnic Studies, University of Washington

Panelists:

• Naomi Hirahara, Author 
• Joy Kogawa, Writer 
• Juliet S. Kono, Associate Professor, Leeward Community College

Articles related to this panel are available on the Discover Nikkei Journal section:

• Joy Kogawa
  - Excerpt from "Gently to Nagasaki" (a work in progress) - Chapter 42
  - Excerpt from "Gently to Nagasaki" (a work in progress) - Chapter 46
• Juliet S. Kono
  - A Much Debated Question