Webinars

Yukie’s Island: My Family’s World War II Story with Co-Author/Illustrator Kōdo Kimura

Oct. 1, 7-8pm EST. The Program for Teaching East Asia and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies offers a webinar with Kōdo Kimura, co-author and illustrator author of Yukie’s Island: My Family’s World War II Story.

Kōdo Kimura and his in-law and Newbery Honor author, Steve Sheinkin, collaborated to narrate and illustrate the memories of Kōdo’s mother, Yukie Kimura, when she lived as young girl on a small island off the coast of Nemuro, Hokkaido in the last two years of World War II. Reading about Yukie’s everyday life at home, school, and play, students gain understandings of Japanese geography and cultural aspects.

In this webinar, Mr. Kimura will share his process to share his mother’s story and the experiences of island life to young readers through both text and art.

Yukie’s Island has been recognized as a Freeman Book Award 2023 Of Note, a 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and a 2024 Bank Street Best Book of the Year. 

To view the recording: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8990223237543781376

Japanese, Russians and Ainu: Contacts before the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 with Dr. Viktor Shmagin

Jan. 28, 7-8pm EST. Join Dr. Viktor Shmagin for a fascinating look at interactions between Japanese, Russians and Ainu in Hokkaido prior to the 20th century. This webinar is part of the series of events commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Mass-Hokkaido Association.

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqf--srDkvHtx-fXQ0uU9SzGX8ioME-Ju-