Synopses & Reviews
A fascinating story, an amazing historical document! From servants in fancy homes to workers in the fields, through earthquakes, riots, a World's Fair, war, and Prohibition--the true story of 4 young Japanese men who pursued their dreams in the rough and tumble of American history.
Review
"A work of brilliant scholarship and immense historical value." -Manga Max
Review
"Belongs in libraries specializing in comics, cartoons, and graphic novels, as well as those focusing on California history, immigrant studies, and the Japanese American experience." -Library Journal
Review
"For younger Japanese Americans who never had the privilege of hearing first-hand the recollections of immigrant forebearers, the reincarnations of Kiyama's work will offer a bittersweet look into the history of their people." -Bill Hosokawa, principal historian, Japanese American Citizens League
Synopsis
A "documentary comic book" from 1931, depicting the true adventures of four young Japanese men in America.
Originally published in Japanese in San Francisco in 1931, The Four Immigrants Manga is Henry Kiyama's visual chronicle of his immi-grant experiences in the United States. Drawn in a classic gag-strip comic-book style, this heartfelt tale--rediscovered and translated by manga expert Frederik L. Schodt--is a fascinating, entertaining depiction of early Asian American struggles.
Synopsis
A "documentary comic book" from 1931, depicting the true adventures of four young Japanese men in America.
Table of Contents
HENRY KIYAMA AND "THE FOUR IMMIGRANTS MANGA"/ On the Trail of Henry Kiyama/ Kiyama and Immigrant History/ On Translating Kiyama's Book/ THE FOUR IMMIGRANT MANGA: Episodes/ Arrival in San Francisco/ "Schoolboys," Episodes 1-8/ Mistaken Identity/ Working on a Farm, Episodes 1-3/ News of a Parent's Death/ Decadence, Episodes 1-3/ The Shoe Salesman/ The Great San Francisco Quake, Episodes, 1-4/ Plain Cook/ Working in a Store/ A Crisis over Japanese School Children/ Japanese Immigrants Arriving via Hawaii, Episodes 1-2/ Enjoying an Illumination Show/ A Visit by the President/ When the Golden Gate Bank Failed/ The Panama Pacific International Exposition, 1-4/ The Rice of Colusa, 1-4/ Picture Brides, 1-4/ The Great War in Europe, 1-2/ Influenza/ Prohibition/ The Turlock Incident/ The Alien Land Act/ Meant for Each Other/ Mutual Downfall/ Goodbye/ NOTES AND COMMENTARY/ AFTERWORD/ BIBLIOGRAPHY