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Not Yo' Butterfly: My Long Song of Relocation, Race, Love, and Revolution (American Crossroads)
A mold-breaking memoir of Asian American identity, political activism, community, and purpose.
Not Yo’ Butterfly is the intimate and unflinching life story of Nobuko Miyamoto—artist, activist, and mother. Beginning with the harrowing early years of her life as a Japanese American child navigating a fearful west coast during World War II, Miyamoto leads readers into the landscapes that defined the experiences of twentieth-century America and also foregrounds the struggles of people of color who reclaimed their histories, identities, and power through activism and art.
Miyamoto vividly describes her early life in the racialized atmosphere of Hollywood musicals and then her turn toward activism as an Asian American troubadour with the release of A Grain of Sand —considered to be the first Asian American folk album. Her narrative intersects with the stories of Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs, influential in both Asian and Black liberation movements. She tells how her experience of motherhood with an Afro-Asian son, as well as a marriage that intertwined Black and Japanese families and communities, placed her at the nexus of the 1992 Rodney King riots—and how she used art to create interracial solidarity and conciliation.
Through it all, Miyamoto has embraced her identity as an Asian American woman to create an antiracist body of work and a blueprint for empathy and praxis through community art. Her sometimes barbed, often provocative, and always steadfast story is now told.
Not Yo’ Butterfly is the intimate and unflinching life story of Nobuko Miyamoto—artist, activist, and mother. Beginning with the harrowing early years of her life as a Japanese American child navigating a fearful west coast during World War II, Miyamoto leads readers into the landscapes that defined the experiences of twentieth-century America and also foregrounds the struggles of people of color who reclaimed their histories, identities, and power through activism and art.
Miyamoto vividly describes her early life in the racialized atmosphere of Hollywood musicals and then her turn toward activism as an Asian American troubadour with the release of A Grain of Sand —considered to be the first Asian American folk album. Her narrative intersects with the stories of Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs, influential in both Asian and Black liberation movements. She tells how her experience of motherhood with an Afro-Asian son, as well as a marriage that intertwined Black and Japanese families and communities, placed her at the nexus of the 1992 Rodney King riots—and how she used art to create interracial solidarity and conciliation.
Through it all, Miyamoto has embraced her identity as an Asian American woman to create an antiracist body of work and a blueprint for empathy and praxis through community art. Her sometimes barbed, often provocative, and always steadfast story is now told.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 25, 2021
What a rich and varied life Nobuko Miyamoto has lived! A wonderful memoir.
August 9, 2021
Nobuko Miyamoto's role as principal choreographer and songwriter to the Obon scene in Karate Kid 2 is a gem of a story, a microcosm of her profound influence on the cultural and political imagination of Asian people in the United States. With so many Asian American writers getting published these days, I hope more people can see and appreciate how her life and legacy touched them all. A memoir from a titan of leftist and Asian American movements.
September 12, 2021
Within 25 pages or so, the author makes a racist disparaging comment about white people. As an anti-racist per the definitions of Kendi Ibram, I'm fine if you want to tell me about the historical -- and current -- injustice that white people have reaped upon your people - I am well aware it exists and heartily saddened and outraged by it myself - and I'm fine if you want to tell me about the racism you might have experienced as an individual, or a group. But when you begin to mock another race - as a group - rather than perhaps those you have met or rather than giving me the facts, then you, too, are a racist, and I do not read further after that. I expect someone with so much background and experience to be on a different level than this. I realize there are those who need to perform the roles of activist and who need to be angry to do so. I realize there are different types of people and this author is of a certain artistic type of person that came out of a certain era - and yet, seems to have stayed there. I ferociously support any efforts to bring change for women - of any color. But I believe we must work together without racism on any side in order to find real and healthy change for everyone. DNF.
May 30, 2023
Nobuko Miyamoto is no ordinary woman. She began life as a biracial child at a time there were hardly any. Through the support of her mother, she was able to follow her passion in dance which propelled her into the world of the arts and ultimately into the world of social justice and using art to celebrate our diversity. She meets with Asian American woman activists like Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs.
October 15, 2025
4 ⭐️
Overall a thoughtfully constructed and honest memoir. I appreciated being able to trace Nobuko Miyamoto’s growth from initially striving to be a successful dancer + artist to soon centering on community, activism, and justice. Miyamoto has had quite a complex and storied journey, and she has done a lot of cool things so it was wonderful to learn more about her and to learn from her own reflections.
Overall a thoughtfully constructed and honest memoir. I appreciated being able to trace Nobuko Miyamoto’s growth from initially striving to be a successful dancer + artist to soon centering on community, activism, and justice. Miyamoto has had quite a complex and storied journey, and she has done a lot of cool things so it was wonderful to learn more about her and to learn from her own reflections.
April 4, 2023
A wonderful and inspirational journey of life documented in a warm and heartfelt conversation with the author. Touching on critical issues in American society, this is an important book for everyone who cares about America.
December 12, 2021
A determined and spirited woman who since the 60s has never stopped pursuing recognition for all sidelined people through creative activism and community building. An inspiring and enlightening read.
December 2, 2021
A Journey that I Can Relate To
Being a Sansei and a participant in the Movement, Nobuko’s journey has reminded me of the mixing of people, cultures, and the events that lead to change - first in ourselves and then to the growing community around us. It’s a journey all of us can take.
Thanks to Nobuko and all those who are part of our journey.
Being a Sansei and a participant in the Movement, Nobuko’s journey has reminded me of the mixing of people, cultures, and the events that lead to change - first in ourselves and then to the growing community around us. It’s a journey all of us can take.
Thanks to Nobuko and all those who are part of our journey.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews