Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On August 15, 2020, two award-winning Japanese American authors—Kathleen Burkinshaw and Naomi Hirahara—joined together for the first time to discuss how they felt compelled to tell the stories of their Hiroshima hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) parents through novels.
Burkinshaw’s middle-grade book, "The Last Cherry Blossom," has become a resource for teachers and students under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries span seven books, with the last Edgar Award-nominated one, "Hiroshima Boy," being translated in Japanese for a 2021 release by Shogakukan. These two women, who live on different sides of the United States, also shared the back story of their novels, the problems of white-washing the atomic-bombing, and their quest for peace.
Available at the JANM Store:
"The Last Cherry Blossom": janmstore.com/products/the-last-cherry-blossom
"Hiroshima Boy": janmstore.com/products/hiroshima-boy
*10% JANM Member discount
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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM's members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
On August 15, 2020, two award-winning Japanese American authors—Kathleen Burkinshaw and Naomi Hirahara—joined together for the first time to discuss how they felt compelled to tell the stories of their Hiroshima hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) parents through novels.
Burkinshaw’s middle-grade book, "The Last Cherry Blossom," has become a resource for teachers and students under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries span seven books, with the last Edgar Award-nominated one, "Hiroshima Boy," being translated in Japanese for a 2021 release by Shogakukan. These two women, who live on different sides of the United States, also shared the back story of their novels, the problems of white-washing the atomic-bombing, and their quest for peace.
Available at the JANM Store:
"The Last Cherry Blossom": janmstore.com/products/the-last-cherry-blossom
"Hiroshima Boy": janmstore.com/products/hiroshima-boy
*10% JANM Member discount
---
Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM's members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
