Islands of Protest: Japanese Literature from Okinawa

by Steve Rabson (Contributor), Carolyn Anne Morley (Contributor), Amy C. Franks (Contributor)

Literature is an important vehicle to further knowledge of other cultures, and English translations of Okinawan literary works have had a major impact on the field of Okinawan studies. Yet the riches of Okinawa's literature have yet to be adequately mined. Islands of Protest attempts to address this lacuna with this new selection of critically acclaimed modern and contemporary works in English.The anthology includes poetry, fiction, and drama, drawing on Okinawa's distinct culture and subtropical natural environment to convey the emotions and tensions present in everyday life. Tōma Hiroko's poem "Backbone" juxtaposes the natural environment of aquamarine beaches and subtropical flora and fauna with the built environment of America's military bases. Stories by two of Okinawa's most dynamic contemporary authors display wide breadth, from the preservation of island dances and burial practices in Sakiyama Tami's "Island Confinement" and "Come Swaying, Come Swinging" to the bold, disquieting themes of violence and comfort women in Medoruma Shun's "Hope," "Taiwan Woman," and "Tree of Butterflies." The crown jewel of the anthology, Chinen Seishin's play The Human Pavilion, is based on an infamous historical incident in which Okinawans were put on display during a 1903 industrial exhibition in Osaka. In his 1978 masterpiece, Chinen depicts the relentless pressure on Okinawans to become more Japanese.Given the controversial presence of U.S. military forces in Okinawa, this book is particularly timely. Disputes between the United States and Japanese governments over construction of a new marine airbase at Henoko have led to the resignation of Japan's prime minister, the election of an anti-base governor, and repeated protests. Islands of Protest offers a compelling entrée into a complex culture, one marked by wartime decimation, relentless discrimination, and fierce resistance, yet often overshadowed by the clichéd notion of a gentle Okinawa so ceaselessly depicted in Japan's mass media.

Genres: Japan, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Poetry, Indigenous

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2016

About the author

Steve Rabson is an American Japanologist, historian, translator, academic, and professor emeritus of East Asian Studies at Brown University. Rabson's research has focused on modern Japanese literature, especially works depicting war, its aftermath, and the experiences of women and minorities. He is regarded as an expert on Okinawa, subject of several of his books, and has spoken of wartime rape there to the New York Times. He is also a Japan Focus associate. As a U.S. Army draftee he was stationed in Okinawa in 1967-68.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Mat Chiappe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive book and translations! I recommend following it up with Bhowmik's "Writing Okinawa", a much deeper analysis on the subject.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't quite know what I expected, although I was expecting (I guess) for the it to be angry or depressed. I know I wasn't expecting the story HOPE or even really the style of Human Pavilion. And I will be passing this on to others who wish to have more experience with the subject.

[Boom Baumgartner]

I'm glad there are attempts to bring Okinawan culture to the English language, but I think that this book could have used more context beyond just the introduction and the somewhat sparse footnotes. In at least half the stories, I was confused about what the message was.

I did find a few of the stories quite engaging, and I appreciate being able to get a glimpse into the Okinawan mindset. The opportunity does not come often.

[Lindsey]

Writings by Medoruma Shun, Sakiyama Tami, and Chinen Seishin were deeply moving, and I’m left w the sense that I would discover new layers each time I were to revisit these (esp for the pieces by Sakiyama).

[Leikela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, poetry, and one stage play. I really enjoyed the mix of authors, styles, and time periods in the writing. Many of the selections were, not surprisingly, difficult to get through.

[ElKazovskyfan23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I have only read Medoruma Shun’s ‘Tree of Butterflies.’

[mia ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡]

only read tree of butterflies --> want to read all stories later

[World Literature Today]

This book was featured in the Nota Benes section of the Sept/Oct 2016 issue of World Literature Today Magazine.

http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...