Title
Manchurian Legacy: Memoirs of a Japanese Colonist,New
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Kazuko Kuramoto was born and raised in Dairen, Manchuria, in 1927, at the peak of Japanese expansionism in Asia. Dairen and the neighboring Port Arthur were important colonial outposts on the Liaotung Peninsula; the train lines established by Russia and taken over by the Japanese, ended there. When Kuramoto's grandfather arrived in Dairen as a member of the Japanese police force shortly after the end of the RussoJapanese War in 1905, the family's belief in Japanese supremacy and its 'divine' mission to 'save' Asia from Western imperialists was firmly in place. As a thirdgeneration colonist, the seventeenyearold Kuramoto readily joined the Red Cross Nurse Corps in 1944 to aid in the war effort and in her country's sacred cause. A year later, her family listened to the emperor's radio broadcast '. . . we shall have to endure the unendurable, to suffer the insufferable.' Japan surrendered unconditionally.Manchurian Legacy is the story of the family's life in Dairen, their survival as a forgotten people during the battle to reclaim Manchuria waged by Russia, Nationalist China, and Communist China, and their subsequent repatriation to a devastated Japan. Kuramoto describes a culture based on the unthinking oppression of the colonized by the colonizer. And, because Manchuria was, in essence, a Japanese frontier, her family lived a freer and more luxurious life than they would have in Japanone relatively unscathed by the war until after the surrender.As a commentator Kuramoto explores her culture both from the inside, subjectively, and from the outside, objectively. Her memoirs describe her coming of age in a colonial society, her family's experiences in wartorn Manchuria, and her 'homecoming' to Japanwhere she had never beenjust as Japan is engaged in its own cultural upheaval.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Manchurian Legacy: Memoirs of a Japanese Colonist'? A: 'Manchurian Legacy' explores the experiences of Kazuko Kuramoto as a young Japanese colonist in Manchuria, focusing on themes of cultural identity, colonization, and the impact of war on personal and familial narratives.
- Q: Who is the author of this memoir? A: The author of 'Manchurian Legacy' is Kazuko Kuramoto, who shares her personal experiences growing up in Dairen, Manchuria, during Japanese colonization.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: 'Manchurian Legacy' contains 189 pages, providing a concise yet rich exploration of Kuramoto's life and experiences.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'Manchurian Legacy'? A: The book was published on September 30, 2004.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'Manchurian Legacy' is available in paperback binding, making it a convenient option for readers.
- Q: Is 'Manchurian Legacy' suitable for all ages? A: While 'Manchurian Legacy' is primarily targeted at adult readers due to its complex themes and historical context, it may also be suitable for mature young adult readers interested in history and memoirs.
- Q: What cultural aspects does the author discuss in the book? A: Kazuko Kuramoto discusses the cultural dynamics of Japanese colonialism, the experiences of colonized peoples, and her own family's life in a colonial society, providing a unique perspective on Japanese culture and identity.
- Q: Does the book include any historical context about Manchuria? A: Yes, 'Manchurian Legacy' provides historical context about Manchuria, discussing the geopolitical factors that influenced Japanese expansionism and the experiences of Japanese colonists during that era.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this memoir? A: Readers can expect to learn about the personal and familial impacts of colonization, the complexities of identity during wartime, and the broader historical narratives surrounding Japan and Manchuria.
- Q: Is 'Manchurian Legacy' part of a series or a standalone book? A: 'Manchurian Legacy: Memoirs of a Japanese Colonist' is a standalone memoir that offers a unique perspective and does not belong to a series.