JANM Book Club will present “Seattle Samurai: A Cartoonist’s Perspective on the Japanese American Experience” on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo.
Join author Kelly Goto for a conversation around her new book, which pulls together threads of samurai principles and stories of honor, resilience, and everyday life that were translated from interviews and family stories onto pen and paper. She will be joined by her mother, Dee Goto, whose work with oral history and preservation of Issei stories served as a foundation of the book.
From 2012–2018, Sam Goto drew over 250 multi-paneled “Seattle Tomodachi” (“Friend of Seattle”) comic strips for The North American Post. His weekly comics chronicled the stories of the Issei and Nisei, capturing elements of culture, nostalgia, and history, while infusing his characters — Shigeru Tomo and his alter ego Samurai Shigeru — with values of courage, respect, and continuous improvement and compassion.
Kelly Goto reflects on her father’s legacy as she brings his work back to life in this collection so that others can be inspired and informed by his witty and wise look at the world.
Kelly Goto is an award-winning author, educator, designer, and prominent figure in the tech and Asian American communities whose work bridges the gap between historical reflection and contemporary relevance.
Dee (née Miyamoto) Goto is a Sansei from the Treasure Valley area in Oregon and Idaho. She received her degree in psychosocial nursing from the University of Washington in Seattle. She believes in the power of storytelling and the importance of sharing Japanese culture and values with the Seattle community to set an example for the whole American community.
“Seattle Samurai” is available for purchase at the JANM Store.
This event is part of Museum Store Sunday, the annual event encouraging holiday shopping in museum stores nationwide.
Included with museum admission: adults $16, senior (62+) $9, students (18+ with valid ID) $9, youth (6-17) $9, members free.
Tickets: https://www.janm.org/events/2024-12-01/janm-book-club-seattle-samurai-kelly-goto-dee-goto