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Kokoro: Cherished Japanese Traditions of Hawai’i
JAPANESE WOMEN’S SOCIETY of HONOLULU. Kokoro: Cherished Japanese Traditions of Hawai’i. Honolulu, Hawai’i: Japanese Women’s Society of Honolulu and Japanese Women’s Society Foundation (P.O. Box 3233 Honolulu, Hawai´i 96801), 2004. x, 181p. ISBN 1-59700-019-1 (hc), $16.99. Bib, Col. Illus.
Kokoro, which means “Heart and Soul” in Japanese appropriately describes the purpose of the book: to preserve the heart and soul of Japanese culture in Hawaii. The Japanese Women’s Society & Foundation (JWS) hopes to achieve this, by instilling knowledge of Japanese American culture in younger generations. They fear that many younger generations are losing their interest or their connection to their heritage, due to assimilation with American culture.
This fear and a desire to preserve has produced this beautifully designed book that is a compilation of Japanese cultural traditions in Hawaii that includes: important celebrations, crafts, etiquette, folktales, proverbs, values, music and art, and gift giving. In addition, the book provides a list of suggested readings, a list of available classes in Hawaii relating to Japanese culture, a list of Japanese things worldwide, and a Japanese Calendar. Many of these customs and practices within the book, the JWS argues, may have originated in Japan, but through time and exposure to other cultures in Hawaii, have evolved into something unique that cannot be defined or interpreted from only a native Japanese context.
The perspective taken is from the JWS’s perspective and this is indicative when considering the organization’s background. The JWS was founded in 1954 to both promote education and to serve the local Japanese community. Today its mission has not changed, annually it awards academic scholarships to graduate students in various fields and sponsors cultural programs and activities: such as exhibits, cultural exchanges, or community outreach (ex. the Friendship Tea Program with care home residents). Furthermore, this is an organization run strictly by women of Japanese American heritage and thus the book conveys a feminine perspective that is reflective of the topics covered. Knowledge of topics, attributed to males, is a little weak. However, one way to perceive this book, is that local culture often views women as being the bearers who carry on the cultural traditions.
Much like the scholarships provided by JWS, Kokoro is not exclusive. The book’s purpose may be directed towards the younger generations of Japanese American audiences, however its easy language and explanations makes it accessible to general audiences of various ages, educational levels, and cultural backgrounds. The non-scholarly style provides an approachable feeling and its bright, colorful, and cookbook like design makes it visually appealing. The book also has an encyclopedia like format that effectively and concisely summarizes the various traditions, how they originated (even traveling as far as China or Korea), how they changed or developed over time, and discusses the essence of these traditions.
Readers also may be attracted to the various crafts and recipes within. Using diagrams, pictures, and clear instructions, the book teaches readers how to make several easy and culturally significant crafts like traditional Japanese paper dolls, fabric art, omiyage wrapping, and etcetera, while at the same time explaining their cultural significance and history. Another attractive and useful section is the recipes that include both traditional and local favorites (Hawaii influenced Japanese dishes) with an accompanying glossary of commonly used ingredients. Readers may also be delighted to discover that well-known chefs in Hawaii donated many of these recipes.
Considering the purpose and the style of this book there is very little to criticize about this very useful and stunningly attractive book. However, there are a few faults with its marketing scope, the lack of an index, coverage of certain music and martial arts topics, and its occasional imprecise information. In terms of the latter, it is only available in Hawaii and through select vendors. How are younger generations, some who live on the continental U.S., supposed to acquire this book if the usual markets they purchase their books from do not sell this book?
From a librarian’s viewpoint the book’s lack of an index decreases its use as a ready reference. This lack maybe understandable when considering the expense of creating a good index, however even a basic index would have been useful. For example, the traditions for weddings were not where I thought they would be in the book. I had to read the entire book to locate them. An index would have made it easier and quicker to find what I was looking for. Some readers might find it discouraging to have to scan the entire book to find something specific.
Another small problem with this book was its coverage of topics. Occasionally, they excluded important subjects in certain fields. For example, judo was missing from the martial arts section and of all the traditional martial arts; judo is one of the most popular in Hawaii. Better research or editing may have prevented this. Furthermore, occasionally they also included seemingly unnecessary subjects like Japanese theater, which has never had an important role in Japanese culture in Hawaii, such as kubuki. The cultural arts section tended to have more of a native Japanese perspective than a local one, with its heavy emphasis on certain Japanese traditions not practiced in Hawaii, contrary to the purpose stated early in the book.
Nevertheless, despite these problems, the book is a significant contribution to local literature in Hawaii. Furthermore, it plays an important role in the community by capturing and sharing Japanese culture with readers. With a little additional editing and better marketing, this book could truly help in its goal to preserve the Japanese heritage in Hawaii. Those who may appreciate the information within may be adults of Japanese American heritage who may have forgotten or never learned their cultural traditions and young adults interested in learning more about their culture. In addition, adults and young adults with non-Japanese heritages may also find this an informative reference resource to Japanese American culture.
Kokoro, which means “Heart and Soul” in Japanese appropriately describes the purpose of the book: to preserve the heart and soul of Japanese culture in Hawaii. The Japanese Women’s Society & Foundation (JWS) hopes to achieve this, by instilling knowledge of Japanese American culture in younger generations. They fear that many younger generations are losing their interest or their connection to their heritage, due to assimilation with American culture.
This fear and a desire to preserve has produced this beautifully designed book that is a compilation of Japanese cultural traditions in Hawaii that includes: important celebrations, crafts, etiquette, folktales, proverbs, values, music and art, and gift giving. In addition, the book provides a list of suggested readings, a list of available classes in Hawaii relating to Japanese culture, a list of Japanese things worldwide, and a Japanese Calendar. Many of these customs and practices within the book, the JWS argues, may have originated in Japan, but through time and exposure to other cultures in Hawaii, have evolved into something unique that cannot be defined or interpreted from only a native Japanese context.
The perspective taken is from the JWS’s perspective and this is indicative when considering the organization’s background. The JWS was founded in 1954 to both promote education and to serve the local Japanese community. Today its mission has not changed, annually it awards academic scholarships to graduate students in various fields and sponsors cultural programs and activities: such as exhibits, cultural exchanges, or community outreach (ex. the Friendship Tea Program with care home residents). Furthermore, this is an organization run strictly by women of Japanese American heritage and thus the book conveys a feminine perspective that is reflective of the topics covered. Knowledge of topics, attributed to males, is a little weak. However, one way to perceive this book, is that local culture often views women as being the bearers who carry on the cultural traditions.
Much like the scholarships provided by JWS, Kokoro is not exclusive. The book’s purpose may be directed towards the younger generations of Japanese American audiences, however its easy language and explanations makes it accessible to general audiences of various ages, educational levels, and cultural backgrounds. The non-scholarly style provides an approachable feeling and its bright, colorful, and cookbook like design makes it visually appealing. The book also has an encyclopedia like format that effectively and concisely summarizes the various traditions, how they originated (even traveling as far as China or Korea), how they changed or developed over time, and discusses the essence of these traditions.
Readers also may be attracted to the various crafts and recipes within. Using diagrams, pictures, and clear instructions, the book teaches readers how to make several easy and culturally significant crafts like traditional Japanese paper dolls, fabric art, omiyage wrapping, and etcetera, while at the same time explaining their cultural significance and history. Another attractive and useful section is the recipes that include both traditional and local favorites (Hawaii influenced Japanese dishes) with an accompanying glossary of commonly used ingredients. Readers may also be delighted to discover that well-known chefs in Hawaii donated many of these recipes.
Considering the purpose and the style of this book there is very little to criticize about this very useful and stunningly attractive book. However, there are a few faults with its marketing scope, the lack of an index, coverage of certain music and martial arts topics, and its occasional imprecise information. In terms of the latter, it is only available in Hawaii and through select vendors. How are younger generations, some who live on the continental U.S., supposed to acquire this book if the usual markets they purchase their books from do not sell this book?
From a librarian’s viewpoint the book’s lack of an index decreases its use as a ready reference. This lack maybe understandable when considering the expense of creating a good index, however even a basic index would have been useful. For example, the traditions for weddings were not where I thought they would be in the book. I had to read the entire book to locate them. An index would have made it easier and quicker to find what I was looking for. Some readers might find it discouraging to have to scan the entire book to find something specific.
Another small problem with this book was its coverage of topics. Occasionally, they excluded important subjects in certain fields. For example, judo was missing from the martial arts section and of all the traditional martial arts; judo is one of the most popular in Hawaii. Better research or editing may have prevented this. Furthermore, occasionally they also included seemingly unnecessary subjects like Japanese theater, which has never had an important role in Japanese culture in Hawaii, such as kubuki. The cultural arts section tended to have more of a native Japanese perspective than a local one, with its heavy emphasis on certain Japanese traditions not practiced in Hawaii, contrary to the purpose stated early in the book.
Nevertheless, despite these problems, the book is a significant contribution to local literature in Hawaii. Furthermore, it plays an important role in the community by capturing and sharing Japanese culture with readers. With a little additional editing and better marketing, this book could truly help in its goal to preserve the Japanese heritage in Hawaii. Those who may appreciate the information within may be adults of Japanese American heritage who may have forgotten or never learned their cultural traditions and young adults interested in learning more about their culture. In addition, adults and young adults with non-Japanese heritages may also find this an informative reference resource to Japanese American culture.
Submitted by Lea Domingo, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa, May 2006
Submitted in May 2006 by Lauren Yamasaki, LIS student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
The Japanese Women’s Society of Honolulu’s (JWS) Kokoro: Cherished Japanese Traditions in Hawaii is a mediocre compilation of basic information on local Japanese culture. Founded in 1954, JWS is a service organization that strives to promote education to the community. In creating this book, along with previous publications by the organization such as Scott C.S. Stone’s Living Legacy: Outstanding Japanese Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii (2002), JWS aims to pass Japanese culture on to future generations of Japanese Americans in Hawaii and any others eager to learn about and perpetuate traditional values and customs.
Dr. Dennis M. Ogawa, Chair of American Studies at the University of Hawaii and author of the local classic Jan Ken Po: The World of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans (University Press of Hawaii, 1973), pens the foreword, in which he discusses the uniqueness of the islands’ multiculturalism and the effect this environment has had on the evolution of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
The affordable and attractively designed book is spiral bound, likely for the convenience of home chefs since recipes are featured in the cuisine section, and clearly organized into color-coded chapters with subheadings. Chapters, with names such as Japanese culture, special celebrations, crafts, gift giving, decorating, cuisine, etiquette, and basic language, are all complimented by colorful photographs by Romeo S. Collado. The writing style is easily accessible and appropriate for those of upper-elementary grade level and up.
The main shortfall of the book is the brevity in which many of the topics are discussed. For example, in the culture and traditions chapter, calligraphy is given a mere half page. Readers might find it difficult to become absorbed in a particular topic since very few entries are substantial enough to spark interest, let alone excite readers enough to inspire them to take up a cultural hobby or integrate a traditional practice into their lives. In trying to cover a wide range of topics about Hawaii’s Japanese traditions, the book has sacrificed depth, as JWS Book Committee Co-Chair Betty Totoki admits in the introduction. To compensate for this, the book includes a bibliography with suggested further readings; however, many readers will still be left feeling at a loss.
Kokoro is intended for the casual reader looking for a broad overview of local Japanese culture and joins other books in this genre of Hawaii literature such as Karleen Chinen’s From Bento to Mixed Plate: Americans of Japanese Ancestry in Multicultural Hawaii (Japanese American National Museum, 1997), Dorothy Ochiai Hazama and Jane Okamoto Komeiji’s Okage Sama De: The Japanese in Hawaii, 1885-1985 (Bess Press, 1986), and Dr. Dennis M. Ogawa’s various works. Those in need of a more critical, in-depth look at local Japanese identity, culture, and social life should consider Dr. Jonathan Y. Okamura’s The Japanese American Contemporary Experience in Hawaii (University of Hawaii Press, 2002) instead. Kokoro will likely appeal to children and adults with little knowledge of Japanese culture and Hawaii; adults familiar with local Japanese culture will probably find the book too basic, even as a refresher. Kokoro sometimes makes references specific to Hawaii, such as mention of classes offered at the Japanese Cultural Center; therefore, the book is best suited for public libraries within the state. Without an index, the book is ill suited for quick reference because although the table of contents lists page numbers for chapters, page numbers for topics covered within the chapters are not included. While most libraries will include the book in the general Hawaiian collection, they might want another copy for their juvenile non-fiction since Kokoro is an ideal resource for young students exploring aspects of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
Dr. Dennis M. Ogawa, Chair of American Studies at the University of Hawaii and author of the local classic Jan Ken Po: The World of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans (University Press of Hawaii, 1973), pens the foreword, in which he discusses the uniqueness of the islands’ multiculturalism and the effect this environment has had on the evolution of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
The affordable and attractively designed book is spiral bound, likely for the convenience of home chefs since recipes are featured in the cuisine section, and clearly organized into color-coded chapters with subheadings. Chapters, with names such as Japanese culture, special celebrations, crafts, gift giving, decorating, cuisine, etiquette, and basic language, are all complimented by colorful photographs by Romeo S. Collado. The writing style is easily accessible and appropriate for those of upper-elementary grade level and up.
The main shortfall of the book is the brevity in which many of the topics are discussed. For example, in the culture and traditions chapter, calligraphy is given a mere half page. Readers might find it difficult to become absorbed in a particular topic since very few entries are substantial enough to spark interest, let alone excite readers enough to inspire them to take up a cultural hobby or integrate a traditional practice into their lives. In trying to cover a wide range of topics about Hawaii’s Japanese traditions, the book has sacrificed depth, as JWS Book Committee Co-Chair Betty Totoki admits in the introduction. To compensate for this, the book includes a bibliography with suggested further readings; however, many readers will still be left feeling at a loss.
Kokoro is intended for the casual reader looking for a broad overview of local Japanese culture and joins other books in this genre of Hawaii literature such as Karleen Chinen’s From Bento to Mixed Plate: Americans of Japanese Ancestry in Multicultural Hawaii (Japanese American National Museum, 1997), Dorothy Ochiai Hazama and Jane Okamoto Komeiji’s Okage Sama De: The Japanese in Hawaii, 1885-1985 (Bess Press, 1986), and Dr. Dennis M. Ogawa’s various works. Those in need of a more critical, in-depth look at local Japanese identity, culture, and social life should consider Dr. Jonathan Y. Okamura’s The Japanese American Contemporary Experience in Hawaii (University of Hawaii Press, 2002) instead. Kokoro will likely appeal to children and adults with little knowledge of Japanese culture and Hawaii; adults familiar with local Japanese culture will probably find the book too basic, even as a refresher. Kokoro sometimes makes references specific to Hawaii, such as mention of classes offered at the Japanese Cultural Center; therefore, the book is best suited for public libraries within the state. Without an index, the book is ill suited for quick reference because although the table of contents lists page numbers for chapters, page numbers for topics covered within the chapters are not included. While most libraries will include the book in the general Hawaiian collection, they might want another copy for their juvenile non-fiction since Kokoro is an ideal resource for young students exploring aspects of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
Submitted in May 2006 by Lauren Yamasaki, LIS student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
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