I was born to a Japanese mother and an American-Italian mother. Like many other ‘racially’ or if you prefer ‘ethnically’ mixed individuals, I often think about my identity and how I sit in society. I was born and raised in Japan. I therefore consider myself to be predominantly Japanese. That is, culturally. The issue with my experience in Japan was that I was often regarded as ‘non-Japanese’. This had a great impact on my identity.
Exploring the experiences of the half Japanese in relation to Japanese society somehow became a sort of a passion or a habit. I came to London in 2001 to study Sociology at university. My undergraduate thesis was on the marginalisation of Hafus, the Japanese word to refer to half Japanese people. I also recently completed a qualitative research project (submitted for MA), which was also about the half Japanese but this time focusing on how they are considered to be the ‘other’ in Japanese society.
In summer 2005, I agreed to be photographed by Natalie Maya Willer, a London based artist who was also a Hafu. She has a slightly different background with a Japanese mother and a German father. She was brought up in Germany and tells me how she had the same problem of not being recognised to have Japanese connection due to her very German look.
Earlier this year we decided to put a project together combining her photography (visual arts) and my research work represented by the spoken words of the participants. The result was a one week exhibition at the Bodhi Gallery in east London last month. It was well received with over 450 visitors, half of whom I estimate to be Hafus.
The exhibition was accompanied by three events: a seminar with guest speakers from SOAS and LSE, a Hafu social night, and a Hafu family art workshop. I’m certain that the exhibition together with these events created an important contribution to the cultural dialogue about identity, culture, ‘race’ and nationhood.
In many ways, the project functioned as a way of ‘consuming’ the topic that has always been on my agenda. It created a place where I can express my thoughts and experiences through the words of other Hafus. It also provided me the opportunity to share my research work with others.
However, it was also about recognising the diversity of this already cultural rich group. Hafus share a similar background. They are all half Japanese. Yet, the experiences of such individuals are extremely varied. To list a few different themes; the degree to which they feel Japanese differs, some do not feel a strong affiliation with other half Japanese and some have no sense of national identity. Experience of racial difficulties varied between people. Most of which I believe is to do with the surrounding society and environment.
The project was funded by the Japan Society and Japan UK 150 a scheme administered by the Japanese Embassy. I interpret such wonderful support as a sign of ‘opening up’. I felt a sense of willingness on part of Japan, working towards inclusion of ethnic minorities and the ‘mixed’. Perhaps this is the beginning of a publicly approved ‘multicultural Japan’.
Public Lecture about ‘Hafu/ Half Japanese’
We are giving a public lecture at Birkbeck College, University of London on the evening of the 26th of November 2008 (Wednesday). The event will introduce you to the exhibition project and give you an insight to the topic of visual anthropology, half Japanese identity, as well as the various concepts surrounding the topic of identity including ‘Japanese-ness’ and ‘race’. This event is free. However booking is essential.
Read what Japan Times said about the exhibition
For more information about the exhibition project please visit hafujapanese.org
Article By Marcia Yumi Lise (Researcher)
www.marcialise.com
