Mine Okubo

Miné Okubo (1912-2001) was a Japanese American artist and writer best known for her autobiographical work "Citizen 13660," which documented her experiences in American internment camps during World War II. Through nearly 200 pen and ink drawings accompanied by text, she created the first comprehensive artistic account of the Japanese American internment experience. Before the war, Okubo established herself as a respected artist and muralist, having earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She received a fellowship to study art in Europe but was forced to return to the United States in 1939 due to the outbreak of World War II. Following Executive Order 9066, Okubo and her brother were forcibly relocated to the Tanforan Assembly Center and later the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah. During her imprisonment, she worked as an illustrator for the camp newspaper and created hundreds of drawings depicting daily life in the internment camps. After her release in 1944, Okubo settled in New York City where she continued her career as an artist and illustrator for publications including Fortune and The New Yorker. Her work has been exhibited in major institutions across the United States, and "Citizen 13660" remains a significant historical document of the Japanese American wartime experience.

Readers consistently highlight the power of Okubo's simple line drawings and direct narrative style in "Citizen 13660." Many note how the combination of artwork and text makes the internment camp experience more immediate and personal. Readers appreciate: - Clear, matter-of-fact tone without self-pity - Historical details and daily life documentation - Accessible artwork that captures emotions and conditions - Balance of serious content with moments of humor Common criticisms: - Some find the writing style too detached - Readers wanting more emotional depth or reflection - Limited context about broader historical events Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (150+ ratings) One reader noted: "Her sketches say more than words ever could." Another commented: "The straightforward narrative makes the injustice even more stark." Most reviewers recommend it for both historical understanding and artistic merit, particularly noting its value in education settings.

Citizen 13660 (1946) An illustrated memoir documenting the author's experiences in Japanese American internment camps during World War II through 198 pen and ink drawings with accompanying text.

The Rain God and Other Short Stories (1964) A collection of Japanese folk tales translated and illustrated by Okubo, featuring traditional stories of deities, animals, and magical events.

Trek From Home (1976) A series of sketches and essays chronicling the author's journey from Berkeley to the Tanforan Assembly Center and later the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah.

Joy Kogawa writes about Japanese Canadian internment during WWII in both fiction and memoir formats. Her work Obasan shares themes of displacement and identity with Okubo's Citizen 13660.

Julie Otsuka chronicles Japanese American experiences before and during WWII through multiple perspectives. Her books When the Emperor Was Divine and The Buddha in the Attic explore internment camp life and immigration experiences.

John Okada examines Japanese American identity and post-war readjustment in his work. His novel No-No Boy deals with the aftermath of internment and questions of loyalty faced by Japanese Americans.

Yoshiko Uchida documents personal experiences in American concentration camps through children's literature and memoirs. Her work Desert Exile provides firsthand accounts of life in the Topaz internment camp.

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston records her family's internment experience at Manzanar through memoir. Her book Farewell to Manzanar presents the camp experience through a child's perspective and explores its long-term impact on Japanese American families.