Women of Okinawa

by Ruth Ann Keyso and Masahide Ōta

Book Overview

Since World War II, Okinawa has been the stage where the United States and Japan act out dramatic changes in their relationship. Women from three generations, each with a different account of the ways that international affairs have transformed Okinawa, here tell the story of that tiny island and its interactions with an enormous U.S. military presence. Three of the women were born before the Pacific War, and their first memories of Americans are...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801486653
• ISBN13: 9780801486654
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Cornell University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

History Alive

Author Keyso's interviews with nine key women in Okinawa provides detailed insight into the Japanese island and its past. From how people hid in caves during the war to survive being shot by the enemy (and by their own countrymen) to how imposing it is to live with American bases on the island to how the Japanese mainlanders view Okinawans ("Do you people wear shoes there?") to how a women's consciousness has developed. This is history come to life. A great read.

A must read

I just finished this book. As a female, African-American/Japanese stationed on Okinawa for the last four years I really enjoyed this book. Okinawan history from a woman's perspective was truly a story that needed to be told. I wasn't interested in the history of Okinawa until I went on a local base tour of the battle of Okinawa last year. It opened my eyes to the treatment of the Okinawans from the Japanese. My heart goes out to these wonderful people. I have a better understanding on how the Okinawans feel about our presence here on their island and what war means to them. I am going to recommend this book to all my friends, American and Okinawan. Thanks for the story Miss Keyso.

Full of insight and meaning

A great read from cover to cover. Ruth Ann Keyso accurately and poetically told the stories of nine Okinawan women, weaving in the island's history, culture, insight and perspective through carefully chosen words, ancedotes and descriptions. Being Japanese American, I am always searching for ways to develop my perspective on my culture, and this book has opened my eyes to the lives, dreams, tragedies and hopes of the Okinawan people. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an enthusiam to learn about the world and an eagerness to grow as a person.

Well-written account of Japan at its most misunderstood

Ruth Keyso writes a fascinating account of the lives of nine different Okinawan women. Her book reads like seperate memoirs, yet each is tied together by the common thread of devastation and beauty, sadness and truth. These lives offer a personal glimpse into a culture that is dominated by the American military presence that has existed on their island for over 50 years, yet has managed to maintain ties to the Okinawa of the past. The book explores for the first time lives that seem to have disappeared from history books, and allows the reader to have a glimpse into the human side of war and its aftermath. The only criticism I would have for this book is that it was not written before. These stories need to be heard--they are long overdue.

This book is AWESOME!

This book is amazing! I couldn't put it down once I started. I especially liked the stories of the middle aged women and how they felt about living alongside the Americans during the early years of the Occupation on the island. Some of the stories made me laugh out loud! I have never been to Japan but have always been fascinated by the country and its culture. Now I feel like I have firsthand knowledge of Okinawa's history both during WWII and in recent years. This book has made me appreciate what the Okinawans, our former enemy, endured during the war. What's great is, the book recalls the war and the occupation from a human perspective, not just from a military one. This book is about human emotions, drama, sacrifice and triumph, all presented through the eyes of nine incredible women. Anyone who is fascinated by Japan or Asia HAS to read this book!