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Words By Baye, Art By Miki: Crafting a Life Together with Affection, Creativity, and Resilience
Words by Baye, Art by Miki
A Celebration of Love, Resilience, and Creativity Across Cultures
In Words by Baye, Art by Miki, acclaimed author Baye McNeil (Hi! My Name is Loco and I am a Racist) and his talented Japanese wife, Miki, take readers on an inspiring journey through love, art, and life in Japan. Together, they’ve built a home and a story that bridges continents and defies conventions.
For Baye, life as a visible minority in Japan presents its share of challenges—moments of cultural dissonance, daily microaggressions, and the constant reminder of his otherdom in a society where conformity reigns. But rather than being a passive observer, Baye has channeled these experiences into his writing, pushing back against the narrow confines of what’s expected. His voice has become a tool of resistance and self-expression.
Miki, his partner and muse, adds her own artistry to their shared journey. Together, they’ve forged a creative sanctuary where their differences are celebrated, their love strengthens them both, and their collaborative work becomes a testament to the transformative power of resilience and creativity.
From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to deeply moving reflections on race, marriage, and belonging, Words by Baye, Art by Miki offers a window into the triumphs and trials of an intercultural relationship. Blending humor, vulnerability, and breathtaking visuals, this book is as unique as the couple at its heart.
Why You’ll Love This
Humor & Humanity: Baye’s sharp wit and authentic storytelling tackle complex topics like race and identity with humor and grace.
Visual Magic: Miki’s artwork enhances the narrative, adding a beautiful, immersive layer to the reading experience.
A Love Story for the Ages: More than a memoir, this is a heartfelt tribute to a relationship that breaks boundaries and inspires.
Cultural Exploration: Gain fresh insights into Japanese society and the unique experience of navigating life as an expat and an artist.
Whether you’re a fan of cultural memoirs, a lover of art, or someone seeking stories of resilience and connection, Words by Baye, Art by Miki will uplift and inspire you.
A Celebration of Love, Resilience, and Creativity Across Cultures
In Words by Baye, Art by Miki, acclaimed author Baye McNeil (Hi! My Name is Loco and I am a Racist) and his talented Japanese wife, Miki, take readers on an inspiring journey through love, art, and life in Japan. Together, they’ve built a home and a story that bridges continents and defies conventions.
For Baye, life as a visible minority in Japan presents its share of challenges—moments of cultural dissonance, daily microaggressions, and the constant reminder of his otherdom in a society where conformity reigns. But rather than being a passive observer, Baye has channeled these experiences into his writing, pushing back against the narrow confines of what’s expected. His voice has become a tool of resistance and self-expression.
Miki, his partner and muse, adds her own artistry to their shared journey. Together, they’ve forged a creative sanctuary where their differences are celebrated, their love strengthens them both, and their collaborative work becomes a testament to the transformative power of resilience and creativity.
From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to deeply moving reflections on race, marriage, and belonging, Words by Baye, Art by Miki offers a window into the triumphs and trials of an intercultural relationship. Blending humor, vulnerability, and breathtaking visuals, this book is as unique as the couple at its heart.
Why You’ll Love This
Humor & Humanity: Baye’s sharp wit and authentic storytelling tackle complex topics like race and identity with humor and grace.
Visual Magic: Miki’s artwork enhances the narrative, adding a beautiful, immersive layer to the reading experience.
A Love Story for the Ages: More than a memoir, this is a heartfelt tribute to a relationship that breaks boundaries and inspires.
Cultural Exploration: Gain fresh insights into Japanese society and the unique experience of navigating life as an expat and an artist.
Whether you’re a fan of cultural memoirs, a lover of art, or someone seeking stories of resilience and connection, Words by Baye, Art by Miki will uplift and inspire you.
443 pages, Paperback
Published December 16, 2024
3 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
Baye McNeil
3 books46 followersBaye McNeil is a prominent writer, columnist, and speaker from Brooklyn, New York, now based in Japan. Renowned for his insightful commentary on cultural exchange, diversity, and expatriate life, McNeil delves into complex topics like race relations and assimilation with depth and clarity. His work bridges cultural divides, fostering understanding and connection between communities. Through his books and columns, he provides a fresh, nuanced perspective on life in Japan, drawing widespread acclaim.
A sought-after speaker, McNeil has lectured at universities and businesses across Japan and delivered a celebrated TED talk on embracing personal growth and transformation. His views have been featured in leading outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, NHK, TBS, Asahi Shimbun, and Huffington Post Japan. With his voice resonating across both Japanese and global media, McNeil has cemented his place as a respected authority on cross-cultural understanding.
A sought-after speaker, McNeil has lectured at universities and businesses across Japan and delivered a celebrated TED talk on embracing personal growth and transformation. His views have been featured in leading outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, NHK, TBS, Asahi Shimbun, and Huffington Post Japan. With his voice resonating across both Japanese and global media, McNeil has cemented his place as a respected authority on cross-cultural understanding.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 16, 2024
ARC Received.
Words by Baye, Art by Miki was my first experience with any of Baye McNeil’s work. While I haven’t read his articles or other books, I feel that Words by Baye, Art by Miki is a culmination of sorts. It’s partly an ode to McNeil’s wife, Miki, but also explores the facets of McNeil’s life in Japan that have defined his experience over the years. At its heart, it’s a recollection of tales that cover love, loss, race, work, society, and family. McNeil touches upon so much in this work—all by recounting tales from his life—that I wished I had explored his work more before I read Words by Baye, Art by Miki. However, even without more context, I recommend anyone interested in Japan or living in Japan to read this book.
McNeil’s tales of struggle with life in Japan are one of the core aspects that I, as a fellow American living in Japan, connected with most. On one hand, McNeil’s tales are universal, despite one’s background. His poignant writing style and humor get at some of the uniformity of the gaijin experience in Japan. In one chapter, he recounts how, while all the teachers at his school were referred to by their last names (as is customary and respectful in Japan), he was ‘Baye-sensei’ because he’s a foreigner. In the next, he talks about helping to change school policy about an activity where students approached ‘foreigners’ (i.e., foreign-looking people), to speak English with in Kyoto. Yet, on the other, McNeil’s experience is deep and nuanced. He explores what it means to be a Black man in Japan, and what it means for Japan for him to be a Black man in Japan. He writes about insightful conversations he had with his Japanese students or his wife about race. His frustrations, successes, tears, and triumph are all laid out on the page in a personal tale that spans a lifetime. I can only imagine the courage that it took to write this book.
Yet, Words by Baye, Art by Miki is not only an exploration of race and the foreigner experience in Japan, it is also the tale of Miki, told from McNeil’s perspective. In countless chapters throughout the book, Miki takes on different roles such as painter, artist, and carpenter. Her art adorns the pages of the book and brings it to life. The book recounts their arguments and endearing moments. It delves into the tough parts of their experiences as a global couple living in Japan, but also sings the praises of the beautiful parts. It explores their partnership, captured beautifully in the title of the book: Words by Baye, Art by Miki. The book is an ode to this ‘collaboration’ and to the Japan that they have created together.
And, that, I believe, is the heart of the book. It is an exploration of finding one’s own Japan. The road is fraught with difficulties and trials. McNeil shows readers both the good sides of Japan and the darker sides—racism and fear of the other. But ultimately, it is a tale of love, and with Miki’s help, McNeil seems to have found his Japan.
I think that anyone interested in Japan or living in Japan can benefit from reading this book, but I think that people living here as immigrants or long-term residents will find much truth in the words McNeil has written. It is an inspiring read and one that I’ve found myself thinking about long after finishing the book.
Words by Baye, Art by Miki was my first experience with any of Baye McNeil’s work. While I haven’t read his articles or other books, I feel that Words by Baye, Art by Miki is a culmination of sorts. It’s partly an ode to McNeil’s wife, Miki, but also explores the facets of McNeil’s life in Japan that have defined his experience over the years. At its heart, it’s a recollection of tales that cover love, loss, race, work, society, and family. McNeil touches upon so much in this work—all by recounting tales from his life—that I wished I had explored his work more before I read Words by Baye, Art by Miki. However, even without more context, I recommend anyone interested in Japan or living in Japan to read this book.
McNeil’s tales of struggle with life in Japan are one of the core aspects that I, as a fellow American living in Japan, connected with most. On one hand, McNeil’s tales are universal, despite one’s background. His poignant writing style and humor get at some of the uniformity of the gaijin experience in Japan. In one chapter, he recounts how, while all the teachers at his school were referred to by their last names (as is customary and respectful in Japan), he was ‘Baye-sensei’ because he’s a foreigner. In the next, he talks about helping to change school policy about an activity where students approached ‘foreigners’ (i.e., foreign-looking people), to speak English with in Kyoto. Yet, on the other, McNeil’s experience is deep and nuanced. He explores what it means to be a Black man in Japan, and what it means for Japan for him to be a Black man in Japan. He writes about insightful conversations he had with his Japanese students or his wife about race. His frustrations, successes, tears, and triumph are all laid out on the page in a personal tale that spans a lifetime. I can only imagine the courage that it took to write this book.
Yet, Words by Baye, Art by Miki is not only an exploration of race and the foreigner experience in Japan, it is also the tale of Miki, told from McNeil’s perspective. In countless chapters throughout the book, Miki takes on different roles such as painter, artist, and carpenter. Her art adorns the pages of the book and brings it to life. The book recounts their arguments and endearing moments. It delves into the tough parts of their experiences as a global couple living in Japan, but also sings the praises of the beautiful parts. It explores their partnership, captured beautifully in the title of the book: Words by Baye, Art by Miki. The book is an ode to this ‘collaboration’ and to the Japan that they have created together.
And, that, I believe, is the heart of the book. It is an exploration of finding one’s own Japan. The road is fraught with difficulties and trials. McNeil shows readers both the good sides of Japan and the darker sides—racism and fear of the other. But ultimately, it is a tale of love, and with Miki’s help, McNeil seems to have found his Japan.
I think that anyone interested in Japan or living in Japan can benefit from reading this book, but I think that people living here as immigrants or long-term residents will find much truth in the words McNeil has written. It is an inspiring read and one that I’ve found myself thinking about long after finishing the book.
December 15, 2024
Especially in these times of heightened tribalism, I encourage you to check out a brand-new book by award-winning Tokyo-based columnist Baye McNeil, which has been in the works for more than two decades but just went on sale today. Baye, as you may know, is a best-selling author, columnist, media consultant, and self-described "resident OG" who has lived in Japan for the past 20 years. He writes the critically acclaimed "Black Eye" column for The Japan Times. Baye shoots from the hip and tells his stories with brutal honesty. Oh, and as you can see from the book jacket, Baye is an African American who has learned to not only survive but thrive in Japan.
Baye's new book, Words by Baye, Art by Miki: Crafting a Life Together with Affection, Creativity, and Resilience, is a wonderful, true story that is fun to read and underscores the reality that humanity can only truly progress when we work with other cultures while acknowledging (and often celebrating) our differences. As a fellow long-term, permanent resident (immigrant) in Japan, Baye's story made me reevaluate the benefits that non-Japanese residents have in seeing a side of Japan that native Japanese often miss. This is crucial in a country that has a long history of isolation from the rest of the world, but is now facing a massive, long-term demographic shift in which the native population is rapidly shrinking while immigrants like Baye and me are expected to grow from only about 1 in 40 today to more than 10% of the population by 2070.
In the tradition of famous African American writers like the revered James Baldwin, who found their voice and audience while living abroad, away from the oppressive environment and often blatant racism of their native United States, Baye's messages go far beyond his experience as an expatriate in Japan. He has used his decades of living abroad to critique American society and offers much food for thought for anyone considering a life away from the comfort zone of their home country.
Please see my formal review in Substack for more details.
https://realgaijin.substack.com/p/new...
Baye's new book, Words by Baye, Art by Miki: Crafting a Life Together with Affection, Creativity, and Resilience, is a wonderful, true story that is fun to read and underscores the reality that humanity can only truly progress when we work with other cultures while acknowledging (and often celebrating) our differences. As a fellow long-term, permanent resident (immigrant) in Japan, Baye's story made me reevaluate the benefits that non-Japanese residents have in seeing a side of Japan that native Japanese often miss. This is crucial in a country that has a long history of isolation from the rest of the world, but is now facing a massive, long-term demographic shift in which the native population is rapidly shrinking while immigrants like Baye and me are expected to grow from only about 1 in 40 today to more than 10% of the population by 2070.
In the tradition of famous African American writers like the revered James Baldwin, who found their voice and audience while living abroad, away from the oppressive environment and often blatant racism of their native United States, Baye's messages go far beyond his experience as an expatriate in Japan. He has used his decades of living abroad to critique American society and offers much food for thought for anyone considering a life away from the comfort zone of their home country.
Please see my formal review in Substack for more details.
https://realgaijin.substack.com/p/new...
April 21, 2025
‘We live in a crazy world, so if this world doesn’t make you a little crazy, you probably haven’t been living in it.’
Another delightful book from Baye McNeil, who continues to go from strength to strength with his work. I know I’ll be there for whatever’s to come next.
Another delightful book from Baye McNeil, who continues to go from strength to strength with his work. I know I’ll be there for whatever’s to come next.
January 19, 2025
McNeil's third book, WORDS BY BAYE, ART BY MIKI is less a memoir than a collection of essays -- some taking the form of dialogues -- art, and photos. The title suggests that this is a book about intercultural marriage, and it is, but it is more than that. Yes, his wife Miki designed the beautiful cover and both her words, as related by her husband, and artwork appear throughout the book; each section ends with a tribute to one of Miki's many talents, such as bricklaying or landscaping. But McNeil also shares childhood experiences, like a chance meeting with musician Gil Scott-Heron while selling his school newspaper Black News, as well as observations on what it means to be Black in Japan (or in Haiti or the U.S.), and how he went from being a blogger to an international pundit on race-related issues in Japan.
McNeil writes in an energetic inimitable voice with a refreshing honesty, and his subject matter is often serious, but this book is also full of humor. I especially enjoyed his freewheeling translations of Japanese expressions rendered as yomigana, i.e. "mochiron" is translated as "Sure as God made green apples."
WORDS BY BAYE, ART BY MIKI is informative and eye-opening, and also highly entertaining. I highly recommend this book!
McNeil writes in an energetic inimitable voice with a refreshing honesty, and his subject matter is often serious, but this book is also full of humor. I especially enjoyed his freewheeling translations of Japanese expressions rendered as yomigana, i.e. "mochiron" is translated as "Sure as God made green apples."
WORDS BY BAYE, ART BY MIKI is informative and eye-opening, and also highly entertaining. I highly recommend this book!
January 30, 2025
From moving one liners to comedic anecdotes, Baye McNeil’s “Words by Baye Art by Miki“ compellingly recounts the adversities and successes that have made the man whose book you’ve decided to read. As a fellow expat living in Japan, I relate to phenomena like the “gaijin seat” or surprise bombardment by Japanese folks eager to communicate in English at all costs. What stood out to me most about this book, however, is McNeil’s knack for putting to words what these experiences make you feel. Be it joy, anger, surprise, or a combination of all three, he reminds you that these situations elicit human responses, most of which are valid… sometimes… Sometimes, not… The point is that this writing simultaneously challenges and validates your very human experience, living wherever you find yourself in the world. That, folks, is McNeil’s gift as a writer.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews