Last Boat to Yokohama: The Life and Legacy of Beate Sirota Gordon

by Nassrine Azimi, Michel Wasserman

Overview

"In 1946, a remarkable woman secretly helped create Japan's new constitution, writing an article that mandated equal rights for all women in Japan. Few could imagine that Article 24 was the work of a 22-year-old Vienna-born, naturalized American woman of Ukrainian-Jewish descent who had gown up in Japan. Her name was Beate Sirota, and to this day she remains an idol for generations of Japanese women. This extraordinary biography includes a foreword by Beate, an in-depth look at her father, the world-renowned classical pianist Leo Sirota, personal diaries from the World War II era by her mother, Augustine, as well as a detailed overview of Beate's life, including the ongoing impact of her contributions to the Japanese constitution, as well as her personal impact on world culture fostered by four decades of dedication to introducing authentic dance, theater, and music of the Far East to American audiences"--Page 4 of cover.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781941110188
Publisher:	Three Rooms Press
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nassrine Azimi has co-founded and now coordinates the Green Legacy Hiroshima (GLH) Initiative, a global campaign to plant seeds and saplings of trees that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima worldwide. She established the Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in 2003. Azimi has written and published extensively on training, UN peacekeeping, post-conflict reconstruction, and environmental governance. Her op-ed pieces have appeared regularly in the international press. She lives in Hiroshima, Japan.

Michel Wasserman is the former director of the Kyoto French Cultural Institute and of a French "artist in residence" program in Kyoto, the Villa Kujoyama. He is currently professor at the College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan -University. A Paris III doctor in oriental studies, Michel Wasserman has worked and written extensively on Japanese traditional theatre, especially Kabuki, and has also published various books on the reception of western music in Japan. He lives in Kyoto, Japan.

Table of Contents

Foreword Beats Sirota Gordon i

Beate Nassrine Azimi 1

Leo Michel Wasserman 13

Augustine Augustine (Horenstein) Sirota 31

Legacy Part I Article 24 Nassrine Azimi 43

Legacy Part II Theaters of Asia Michel Wasserman 73

An Interview with Beate Sirota Gordon Nassrine Azimi Michel Wasserman 87

A Tribute Nicole Gordon 113

An Elegy Geoffrey Gordon 123

Preface to Post-Conflict Reconstruction Beate Sirota Gordon 127

Selected Segments of the Japanese Constitutions of February 11, 1889 and of November 3, 1946 131

Afterword Sonia Sotomayor 149

Editorial Reviews

All of us have a lot to learn from Beate Gordon. A woman with the courage to match her convictions.” —Yoko Ono

"The story of the life of Beate Sirota is an inspiring one, and one that continues to inspire long after she has left the room. She set an example for all individuals, regardless of gender or nationality, that one person — however modest, however unprepared for history — can make a difference." —The Japan Times

"With a prismatic approach that includes remarks from Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, an interview with Gordon, journal entries by Gordon’s mother, and other sources, Last Boat to Yokohama: The Life and Legacy of Beate Sirota Gordon gathers respectful reflections that shed light on a specific moment in history and on one woman’s remarkable career." —Foreword Reviews

"Inherently fascinating and exceptionally well written from beginning to end, "Last Boat to Yokohama: The Life and Legacy of Beate Sirota Gordon" is an impressive and highly recommended addition to community and academic library 20th Century Biography collections." —Midwest Book Review

"Women’s rights activist Beate Sirota Gordon’s passion for bridging cultures is clearly evoked through this fascinating tribute to her work. . . . Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman pay tribute to Beate Sirota Gordon, champion of the arts and part of the American team who developed Japan’s postwar constitution under General MacArthur. Gordon’s story highlights her sustaining belief in making human connections. Last Boat to Yokohama gathers respectful reflections that shed light on a specific moment in history and on one woman’s remarkable career.” —Foreword Reviews

“A fascinating book about an extraordinary woman.”—BookPleasures

"A necessary addition to myriad of books written about World War II. It is complementary to Beate Sirota Gordon’s memoir The Only Woman in the Room and deserves a place in any school, public or personal library." —Anne Lee, Shojo Power

“A splendid book. You must get a copy of LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA for yourself. I will not lend mine." —Dick Cavett, talk show host, actor, writer

“An important book. Every woman on both sides of the Pacific should know about Beate Sirota Gordon and what she did for the women of Japan.” —Martha Burk, Ms. Magazine

“An inspiring book about an inspiring woman.”—Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore; and Chairperson, Water Leaders Summit

“What [Beate] did as a woman in helping to create Japan’s new constitution is historic. Few women of the 20th century have had her courage and vision. —Robert Wilson, experimental theater director and playwright

“[Beate Gordon’s] contribution in drafting language about women's rights for the new constitution was instrumental in effecting significant cultural change.  Later, she would pursue a career in the performing arts in New York, where through her work at the Japan Society she brought the very essence of what was precious in Japanese culture and art to America. Read “Last Boat to Yokohama” and be inspired by her remarkable life." —Yo-Yo Ma, cellist

From the Publisher