Speaker Series

To mark the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, mystery author and social historian Naomi Hirahara will present the backdrop of her first historical novel, Clark and Division. The mystery novel follows the Ito family from an agricultural community in Los Angeles to Manzanar to finally Chicago, where the older sister, Rose, has been released early in 1943. When the younger sister, Aki, and the parents arrive in 1944, they discover a tragedy has befallen Rose. It’s up to Aki to discover the truth of what happened while carrying her parents during this chaotic transition from a wartime camp.

Japan is justifiably famous for its many festivals; each one is reflective of a time and a spirit of community. They serve many functions, but most have a religious or spiritual origin and purpose. Purification. Protection. Gratitude. Commemoration. However, even these sacred rituals and celebrations are not immune to shifts in times, politics and, optics. Today, the 5th month of the 5th day is celebrated as Kodomo-no-hi, or Children’s Day. It is a time for parents to gather with their children, make excursions, and celebrate family, particularly the children. But in times past, it had a very different character. As part of the Go-Sekku or Five Festivals, it was celebrated as Tango-no-sekku--a time for the ritual driving away of evil spirits and malevolent forces that affected the health of the family, community, and nation.