{"product_id":"okinawa-by-susumu-higa-9781683961185","title":"Okinawa","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction - Longlist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Library Association Best Comics for Adults 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e Editors' Choice: Best Graphic Novels 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e Book World Editors' Staff Pick 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/em\u003e Best Graphic Novels of 2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA peaceful, independent kingdom until its annexation by the Japanese Empire in the 19th century, Okinawa was the site of the most destructive land battle of the Pacific War. Today, the archipelago is Japan's poorest prefecture and unwilling host to 75% of all US military bases in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOkinawa\u003c\/em\u003e brings together two collections of intertwined stories by the island's pre-eminent mangaka, Susumu Higa. These stories reflect on this difficult history, pulling together traditional Okinawan spirituality, the modern-day realities of the continuing US military occupation, and the senselessness of the War. The first collection, \u003cem\u003eSword of Sand\u003c\/em\u003e, provides a ground-level, unflinching look at the horrors of the Battle of Okinawa. Higa then turns an observant eye to the present day in \u003cem\u003eMabui\u003c\/em\u003e (Okinawan for \"spirit\"), exploring how the American occupation has irreversibly changed the island prefecture through the lens of the archipelago's indigenous spirituality and the central character of the yuta priestess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOkinawa\u003c\/em\u003e is a harrowing document of war, but it also addresses the dreams and needs of a people as they journey into an uncertain future. It is essential reading for anyone interested in World War II and its effects on our lives today, as well as for those with an interest in the people and culture of this fascinating, complicated place. Although thoroughly about one specific locale, the complex relations between Okinawan and Japanese identities and loyalties, between place and history, and between humanity and violence speak beyond borders and across shores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: This book is a traditional work of manga and reads back to front and right to left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47362937684204,"sku":"9781683961185","price":56.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15315123482787.jpg?v=1772904612","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/okinawa-by-susumu-higa-9781683961185","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}