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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/users/traciakemi/

@traciakemi
Nima of the month: June 2022, January 2017

Author of “Navigating With(out) Instruments,” a book of poetry, micro essays and notes to self—which is being taught in contemporary literature, ethnic, and Asian American studies courses at the university level, and has gained critical acclaim from a wide spectrum of poets, authors, artists, musicians, academics, community leaders & activists.

tkk also narrates for audiobooks from time to time, and recently recorded her 13th title, “The Fervor,” by Alma Katsu, acknowledged by The New York Times’ “6 Audiobooks to Listen to Now.” Her other recordings include “The Memory Police” (Yoko Ogawa); “The Swimmers” (Julie Otsuka); “Intimacies” (Katie Kitamura); and “Temple Alley Summer,” by Sachiko Kashiwaba and Avery FIscher Udagawa, which garnered tkk a Earphone Award and an Audie Award nomination.

traci is the Director/Co-Founder of Tuesday Night Project; a core artist of Vigilant Love; a longtime supporter of Okaeri; and a lead organizer with the Nikkei Progressives/NCRR Reparations Committee and the newly formed National Nikkei Reparations Coalition.

tkk is a performer and principal writer for PULLproject Ensemble, co-led by aerial artist Kennedy Kabasares, and together with composer Howard Ho and their creative team, developed “TALES OF CLAMOR,” which premiered at the Aratani Theatre Black Box in 2019, and was recently awarded a National Theatre Project grant from NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts), which support further development of the play and capacity to tour beginning in 2023.


Nikkei Interests

arts communities families festivals food governments human geography Japanese diaspora Japantowns performing arts politics religions spirituality visual arts

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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Inspiration
From Shin Nikkei Kyoko Takenaka (aka Jinjabrew) and Sansei Patty Nagano, we have pieces that span v…

May 17, 2018


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Transformation
This month’s column gave two writers the theme of “transformation.” One set of poetry was submitted…

April 19, 2018


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Spring
The new season upon us is ushered in here by Los Angeles/Orange County-based riKu Matsuda and LA-bo…

March 15, 2018


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Appetite
This month we have some light and delicious, sweet yet evocative, precious to ephemeral moments thr…

Feb. 15, 2018


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Open
Happy 2018, folks! Upon entering a new year, we put forth the theme of “open” to writers Mariko Roo…

Jan. 18, 2018


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
December
For this final column of 2017, I chose to focus on the broad possibilities this month provides—it l…

Dec. 21, 2017


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Place / Location
This month, we feature just one writer and a beloved one to the Discover Nikkei space at that—Chica…

Nov. 16, 2017


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Bite
As we enter the final quarter of 2017, I didn't want to “ease” into fall but rather, take a bite ou…

Oct. 19, 2017


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Mothers—affection, lost & found
This month, we take a somewhat different turn, in presenting some prose from longtime community org…

Sept. 21, 2017


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Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column
Encircle, In Dance
For this month’s Nikkei Uncovered, we wave goodbye to the Obon season with special reflections from…

Aug. 17, 2017

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