Discover Nikkei Logo

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/series/imagine-little-tokyo-9/

9th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest


May 27, 2022 - June 24, 2022

Each year, the Little Tokyo Historical Society’s Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest heightens awareness of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo by challenging both new and experienced writers to write a story that captures the spirit and essence of Little Tokyo and the people in it.  Writers from three categories, Adult, Youth, and Japanese language, weave fictional stories set in the past, present, or future. On May 26, 2022 in a virtual celebration moderated by Derek Mio, noted actors, Keiko Agena, Helen Ota, and Megumi Anjo performed dramatic readings of each winning entry.

Winners

  • Adult Category: “Tori” by Xueyou Wang 
      Honorable mentions 
  • Youth Category: “Time Capsule” by Hailey Hua
      Honorable mentions
  • Japanese Language Category: “教えて” (Tell Me) by Nao Mutsuki
      Honorable mentions
    • 回春” (Spring is coming over) by Miyuki Kokubu (Japanese only)


*Read stories from other Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contests:

1st Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
2nd Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
3rd Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
4th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
5th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
6th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
7th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
8th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
10th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
11th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>


Stories from this series

Thumbnail for Through The Opera Glasses
en
ja
es
pt
Through The Opera Glasses

June 24, 2022 • Madeline Thach

The California sun was bright as Erin strolled through the streets of Little Tokyo, too lost in worry to notice the sights around her. Ugh! She thought, trying to push the negative thoughts out of her head. It’s my day off, and I’m going to enjoy it! I just need to relax and not worry about Grandma.  Just then, Erin noticed a tiny, shabby store jammed between two modern buildings. Several Japanese symbols were written on a faded sign above …

Thumbnail for Rejuvenation
en
ja
es
pt
Rejuvenation

June 17, 2022 • Miyuki Kokubu

-10 years ago- This is my secret. No, it's a secret between you and me. There is a wall in Spring Street. Everyone lives on the right side and the left side. I am on the right side. Japanese people and people called "Nikkei" live there. On the left side, people different from us live. I have never been there. That is what I heard from my mom and dad and the people in the town. However, I was told …

Thumbnail for J is for Junichiro
en
ja
es
pt
J is for Junichiro

June 10, 2022 • George Cooksey

“Juni, you’ve been fighting again.” Junichiro Nakashima hoped to hide his hands until he could ice them, but as usual his mother was too perceptive. Junichiro sat on the floor next to the family kotatsu as his mother retrieved her medicine box. Her antiseptic stung the open sores of his knuckles, but her usual monologue stung worse. “How many times must I tell you not to fight with the other boys? This is the second time this month! Don’t you …

Thumbnail for Tell me
en
ja
es
pt
Tell me

June 3, 2022 • Nao Mutsuki

I’m beautiful. I grew up with Dad telling me I was the prettiest in the world, so I knew that I was beautiful, without a single doubt, from a very young age as far as I could remember. People at the cafeteria served me extra amounts. Strangers confessed they had a crush on me. They gave me their contact information. The accumulation of affection from total strangers backed up Dad’s words and eventually built up my confidence. “Dad, when did …

Thumbnail for <em>Tori</em>
en
ja
es
pt
Tori

May 27, 2022 • Xueyou Wang

The last time I was here, the sakura were in bloom. I came to Little Tokyo to visit my grandmother. She was aging but still ran the batik workshop in the spare room at the Catholic church. Every Tuesday afternoon, she would set out her dyes and silk fabrics, and invite anyone who was willing to come and do indigo dye and batik with her. Her hands never shook, even when handling the bowls of hot wax. Especially when handling …

We’re looking for stories like yours! Submit your article, essay, fiction, or poetry to be included in our archive of global Nikkei stories. Learn More
Discover Nikkei brandmark New Site Design See exciting new changes to Discover Nikkei. Find out what’s new and what’s coming soon! Learn More
Authors in This Series

George Cooksey is an active duty Air Force officer stationed out of Okinawa, Japan, who enjoys writing stories in his free time. His favorite stories are historical fiction, exploring real life experiences through a narrative lens. His story “The Melody of Irirangi” placed Top 10 in the 2022 Writer’s Playground Competition, and may be found published on the Writer’s Playground website.

Updated June 2022


Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. Currently living in Tokyo. Became interested in movies as a high school student, and began writing scripts and essays in college. After reading "Understanding the Depths of World History through Emmanuel Todd," he became interested in how world history has changed due to race and the differences in problems faced by different races. He submitted a work to the 9th Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest, and it was selected as an honorable mention. He is currently planning a work on the theme of "youth."

(Updated June 2022)


Nao Mutsuki (pen name), freelance writer, was born in Kyoto in 1991. She graduated from Kyoto Seika University and studied abroad in Boston. Her hobbies include getting absorbed into inspirational creative works, traveling, shopping, and visiting cafes. She put her daily efforts to get many people interested in her writings.

Updated June 2022


Madeline Thach is a 14-year-old homeschooler from Texas. Her awards include first place in the international Saugus Halloween Ghost Story Contest and two first prizes in the National Association of Teachers of Singing regional competition. She is also a recipient of the national American Hero history scholarship from the Rush & Kathryn Adams Limbaugh Family Foundation.

Madeline is passionate about using social media to spread her love of learning. She creates educational and entertaining stories, videos, and articles for people of all ages! Visit BluestockingOnline.com to explore her content and subscribe to her free weekly newsletter.

Updated June 2024


Xueyou Wang (she/they) is the daughter of immigrants from China. She grew up in the Midwest, the West Coast, and Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. She received a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from the University of Southern California. After earning her degree, she worked in Los Angeles as a substitute teacher, a summer school teacher, and a special education assistant. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she teaches and studies Women’s and Gender Studies. Her hobbies include riding her bike, beading, and dancing.

Updated May 2022

Discover Nikkei Updates

CALL FOR VIDEOS
Pass the Food!
Be in our video celebrating Nikkei worldwide. Click to learn how to submit! Deadline extended to October 15!
NIKKEI CHRONICLES #13
Nikkei Names 2: Grace, Graça, Graciela, Megumi?
What’s in a name? Share the story of your name with our community. Submissions close on October 31!
NIMA VOICES
Episode 17
November 12
5pm PDT | 7pm PET
Featured Nima:
Graciela Nakachi
Guest Host:
Enrique Higa

Presented in Spanish