Japanese America Japanese America
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Welcome to "Japanese America," where the Japanese American National Museum unveils captivating stories that add a Nikkei slant to the American narrative. In each episode, we explore the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Japanese Americans, illuminating their rich contributions to the mosaic of American life. From historical milestones to contemporary perspectives, join us for an insightful journey through the curated collection of the Japanese American National Museum, showcasing the diverse tapestry of a community that has shaped the American story in extraordinary ways. Welcome to "Japanese America," where each story unfolds like a chapter in a living history book.
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S1E4 Grandpa the Spy?
Send us a Text Message.Hosts Koji and Michelle delve into the complexities of Japanese American identity through Koji’s unique family story. They examine why he was sent from Hawaii to America’s concentration camps and how they answered the contentious loyalty questionnaire. The episode provides a multifaceted look at the Japanese American experience, from the pride in samurai ancestry to the moral dilemmas posed by questions of allegiance during a dark chapter in American history.ABOUT OUR R...
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Ep 3 The First Manzanar Pilgrimage
Send us a Text Message.Hosts Michelle Malizaki and Koji Steven Sakai delve into the history of the Manzanar pilgrimage. They discuss its historical significance, personal connections, and the necessity of education to prevent similar injustices. If you’re interested in joining this year’s pilgrimage, here is a link for more information: https://manzanarcommittee.org/2024/02/09/55-pr1/ ABOUT PILGRIMAGE 22min, 2006Directed & Edited by Tadashi Nakamura - tadashinakamura.comPro...
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Ep 2 Karate Kid Revisited
Send us a Text Message.In the second episode of the Japanese America Podcast, Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki discuss the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," exploring its portrayal of Japanese culture and reimagining some of its iconic scenes to highlight issues of cultural representation and racism. They touch upon the significance of Mr. Miyagi's backstory of being in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II and the impact it had on audiences. The episode also speculates hum...
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Yuri Kochiyama's Diary with Actor Sierra Katow
Send us a Text Message.Explore the life and enduring legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese American woman whose experiences during WWII in concentration camps ignited her transformation into a civil rights icon. In this podcast episode, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki delve into the intimate thoughts and profound adversities captured in Yuri's diary. From tales of community resilience within the camps to discussions on identity and patriotism, this episode honors Kochiyama's empa...
Customer Reviews
Bridging old and new
「温故知新」
I didn't expect much out of this podcast, I thought the topic is well known and nothing really new. I was completely wrong. Every life has a unique story, especially someone who was so positive, compassionate and dedicated to her beliefs. Her voice was still alive and new.
Sadly, we still see similar situations, injustice, unfairness, everywhere in the world. This podcast scrutinized and revived a painful, but very important lesson in an apprehensible, empathetic way. Thank you for the great story!
Spike Lee, what’s up?
It took me until a few years ago to watch Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” And I have to be honest, it was the photograph you reference from Life that finally got me to watch the movie. I was looking forward to seeing that last scene (and all that preceded it), not expecting Yuri to be called out, but at least to see the allyship taking place early on in Civil rights history. So imagine my surprise when the ending came about in the film and none of what I saw matched the history I knew. Spike, I expected more of you!
“Bridging old and new” - onkochishin
I didn't expect much out of this podcast, I thought the topic is well known and nothing really new. I was completely wrong. Every life has a unique story, especially someone who was so positive, compassionate and dedicated to her beliefs. Her voice was still alive and new.
Sadly, we still see similar situations, injustice, unfairness, everywhere in the world. This podcast scrutinized and revived a painful, but very important lesson in an apprehensible, empathetic way. Thank you for the great story!