Vancouver can boast of many talented people. All of them, sooner or later, become famous and successful in various fields.
Writing can rightly be considered one of the most common among Vancouver natives. They manage to develop and reach great heights in this sphere.
There are many well-known names among Vancouver writers and poets. Joy Kogawa is one of them. She is known throughout Canada as a talented poetess and writer of Japanese descent. Her works have repeatedly been recognized and awarded with the highest prizes.
Learn more about her at ivancouver. (Source: joykogawa.ca)
Early years
Joy was born to a Japanese family in Vancouver on June 6, 1935.
During World War II, the future writer was sent to a camp for Japanese Canadians.
When the war ended, her family moved to Coaldale, where she completed her high school studies.
In 1954, she became a student at the University of Alberta and in 1956, enrolled in the Anglican Women’s Training College and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Family
Joy came back to Vancouver in 1956. In 1957, she became a wife and later a mother.
Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last long and the couple divorced in 1968. Then Joy decided to enter a higher educational institution again. She chose the University of Saskatchewan.
Debut in poetry
Joy Kogawa made her debut as a poet in 1968. Her first collection was called The Splintered Moon. In addition, she got a position as a staff writer for the Office of the Prime Minister.
Most famous work
In 1981, Joy published her first prose work Obasan. It is a semi-autobiographical novel, which has become her most famous work.
Kogawa was awarded many national prizes and awards for it.
The Literary Review of Canada called Obasan the most important literary work in Canadian history. Later, the author adapted it into a children’s book Naomi’s Road. In addition, the book was turned into a 45-minute opera, which was presented, probably, in every elementary school in Vancouver.
Residents of other Canadian cities could enjoy the opera too. It was even presented at the National War Museum.
Important achievement
Even though Obasan is about Japanese and Canadians, it was included in the course of Asian American literature. The reason was the successful “integration of political understanding and literary artistry” and “its authentication of a pan-Asian sensibility”.
On the move
Joy Kogawa has to constantly move from city to city due to her activities and work.
Most often she lives in Vancouver, Ontario and Toronto. It is fair to note that in 2018, she formed the group Yojaros in collaboration with one of the most famous Japanese poets in Vancouver Soramaru Takayama.
Another successful project
Interestingly, Joy wrote a narrative for a unique augmented reality game developed by the National Film Board of Canada. It was released in 2019.
In 2020, this project won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Video Game Narrative.
Photo source: joykogawa.ca