Learn about Japanese American World War II history through three graphic novels geared for youth and up: Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers; We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration; and Those Who Helped Us: Assisting Japanese Americans During the War. This event commemorates the Day of Remembrance, marking Feb. 19, 1942, when Executive Order 9066 was signed to authorize the incarceration of over 100,000 community members of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. All graphic novels are co-published by Wing Luke Museum and Chin Music Press. Reissue of Fighting for America funded by the Kip Tokuda Memorial Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program.
2-3pm Authors and illustrators available for book signing
Lawrence Matsuda, author of Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers
2-3pm & 4-5pm Authors and illustrators available for book signing:
Frank Abe, author of We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration
Ken Mochizuki, author of Those Who Helped Us: Assisting Japanese Americans During the War
Ross Ishikawa, illustrator of We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration
4-5pm Author and illustrators available for book signing
Kiku Hughes, illustrator of Those Who Helped Us: Assisting Japanese Americans During the War
More information on the Graphic Novels:
- Fighting for America: Nisei Solders by Lawrence Matsuda and illustrated by Matt Sasaki, produced with the Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation in 2015, reissue funded by the Kip Tokuda Memorial Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program. This graphic novel is based on the actual events of six courageous Japanese American WWII soldiers from the Pacific Northwest who proved their loyalty and made a significant mark in American history. The Nisei featured include Shiro Kashino (442 RCT), Frank Nishimura (442 RCT), Jimmie Kanaya (442 RCT medic), Roy Matsumoto (MIS), Tosh Yasutake (442 RCT medic), and Teruyuki “Turk” Suzuki (442 RCT).
- We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration by Frank Abe and Tamiko Nimura and illustrated by Ross Ishikawa and Matt Sasaki preserves acts of resistance through the stories of the Akutsu brothers, Hiroshi Kashiwagi and Mitsuye Endo.
- Those Who Helped Us: Assisting Japanese Americans During the War written by Ken Mochizuki and illustrated by Kiku Hughes features the supportive actions of Seattle area citizens, including Rev. Emery Andrews, neighbor Felix Narte, Bailey Gatzert Elementary Principal Ada Mahon and more.
The graphic novels were funded, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.
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This RSVP and ticketing link is for the book event. This does not include General Admission to visit the exhibits and galleries of the WLM, this includes Resisters: A Legacy of Movement from the Japanese American Incarceration. If you would like to visit the exhibit and other galleries, please also purchase a General Admission ticket.
Books will be available for purchase through the Museum's Marketplace. Members save 10% on their Marketplace purchases, 20% if joining or renewing. Does not combine with other discounts or apply to previous purchases
This is an IN-PERSON event program.
Any amount above General0, will be a viewed as a donation to the Wing Luke Museum to further our programming.
Thank you for your interest and support.