SAN FRANCISCO — Delphine Hirasuna’s newly released book “All That Remains: The Legacy of the World War II Japanese American Internment Camps” is now available through the San Francisco JACL.
The 64-page soft-cover book is a follow-up to Hirasuna’s landmark “The Art of Gaman,” which became an art exhibition shown in 15 museums in the U.S. and Japan, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery and the University Arts Museum in Tokyo.
During the exhibition tour, more than 500,000 people viewed objects made by internees imprisoned in the camps during WWII. “All That Remains” features objects from the exhibition, along with an opening essay on why these humbly made artifacts continue to hold such emotional power over Nikkei of every generation.
For families who lost virtually everything when sent into camp, these handcrafted objects are treasured because they essentially represent all that remains of those lost years.
Explaining her motive behind these books, Hirasuna said, “Like so many Sansei, I knew little to nothing about the camps when I started working on ‘The Art of Gaman.’ The more I delved into the subject, the more I developed a profound appreciation for all the Issei and Nissei endured during the war and an admiration for the dignity, strength and resourcefulness they displayed under terrible circumstances. This was their gift to future generations.”
“All That Remains” is issued as Vol. 2 in a series of little books under the Obsessions imprint, a publishing venture started by Hirasuna and graphic designer Kit Hinrichs to explore topics of such compelling interest to them that they become a kind of obsession.
“All That Remains” is available from JACL for $20 each, plus postage. Quantities of 10 or more are offered at $10 each, plus postage. To order, please make checks payable to the JACL San Francisco Chapter and mail c/o Delphine Hirasuna, 245 Fifth St., Suite 202, San Francisco, CA 94103.
