Join Mata Ashita in celebrating the launch of The Gate of Memory. This special event will feature readings from numerous Canadian contributors (including some Mata Ashita alumni), a facilitated Q&A, and a writing activity inspired by the anthology's themes. No prior experience is necessary, just a commitment to holding space for yourself and others as we navigate what it means to be together in community. RSVP and event details.

“The Gate of Memory Community Gathering: Poetry, Intergenerational Healing and Imagining Nikkei Futures.” This gathering will feature poetry readings by contributors of The Gate of Memory (including Katherine Terumi Laubscher and Erica H. Isomura) and work by local Nikkei artists (including Conal Abatangelo, Mari Yamagiwa, Cori Nakamura Lin and Jami Nakamura Lin). The readings will be followed by discussion circles and a mini poetry/art making session, along with music by JJ Ueunten. With poetry, discussion, and art, we will reflect on the past, create visions of Nikkei futures, and explore how to tell and re-tell these histories in resistance to state violence, imperialism, and racial violence. The program hosted by Anne Watanabe and Brynn Saito, and co-sponsored by Nikkei Uprising, a collective of Nikkei and Japanese folks in Chicago organizing against all forms of incarceration, imperialism and state violence with an abolitionist lens. RSVP link to come.

Join us for the anthology’s first Bay Area event, featuring readings by many of the local (or local-adjacent) contributors, including: Brian Komei Dempster, Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson, Lauren Fujimoto-Johnson (Sharon’s daughter), Steve Fujimura, Rebecca A. Green, Jodi Hottel, Susan Kiyo Ito, Amanda Mei Kim, Casey Hidekawa Lane/Levinski, Ali Meyers-Ohki, Ryan Hitoshi Nakano, Dana Swensen, Syd Westley, Doug Yamamoto, and Lauren Emiko Ito. Hosted by Brandon Shimoda. Eastwind Books, Berkeley’s Asian American bookstore, will be selling copies of the anthology. RSVP link to come.