Blue Kimono, White Cranes

Blue Kimono, White Cranes is a Coming of Age, historical fiction taking place in the early twentieth century Japan. Still a very young woman, Misao Moriguchi trains to become a perfect wife. In Yokohama for a few months, living with her new in-laws, she prepares to marry her chosen husband who is already settled in California. As a Japanese picture bride, she leaves home, her family, and her country to become Mrs. Yamamoto. On the steamship, SS Tenyo Maru, Misao sails toward America, stopping over on one of the Hawaiian Islands. While voyaging the Pacific Ocean she makes a friend. Misao’s new friend is another picture bride settling in Oahu, Hawaii. Together, they envision happy futures. After weeks at sea, the San Francisco Bay materializes with a picturesque coastline consisting of green hills floating above salty waters. Upon her arrival in California, Misao spends weeks on Angel Island, in quarantine. In the U.S. hospital of the small island, she first meets Doctor John. After an official American wedding, she marries Yamamoto-San and is released from the West Coast Immigration Center. For a short while, she stays with her relatives who are settled in the new Japantown of San Francisco. Misao discovers a city comprised of a variety of immigrants with different backgrounds, trying to live in peace. Soon the new bride leaves the popular city. She travels alone to meet her fated husband, who rents a piece of land in the countryside of San Leandro. But Mr. Yamamoto is not well. Misao’s marriage to a spouse afflicted with fever does not last long; quickly she becomes a widow. As a new chapter of her life begins, the young widow moves in with Aunt Midori and Uncle Kiyoshi, her San Franciscan relatives. Misao adjusts to the many cultures inhabiting San Francisco. Going to school is a priority for the young woman. While studying English as a second language, Misao and Doctor John meet again. Being seen together is unusual in the growing city and the couple experiences intolerance and prejudice. In time, Misao acquires an education, finds friendship, and becomes pregnant. Interracial marriages are against the law in California and the rejected couple decides to leave San Francisco. Misao leaves first, alone, and pregnant. On an international steamship, Misao sails the Pacific Ocean again, aiming for Australia. This time, as a second-class passenger, and speaking English, Misao experiences acceptance and friendship. When the large ship makes a routine stop in Oahu’s Honolulu Port, its engine needs attention and repair; a longer stop over is required. A pregnant Misao reconnects with her girlfriend, Kikuye-san. Kikuye invites Misao to stay with her and her husband, who are living and working at a sugarcane plantation village inland on the tropical island. Misao accepts the invitation. Eventually, John arrives. Oahu becomes a refuge for the mixed couple, and the birthplace of their daughter. As WWI begins, the new father sadly leaves his family and sails to Paris where his parents live. Dr. John wants to move his mother and father to New York while the great war rages in Europe. Letters between the couple travel slowly over long distances. Meanwhile, Misao and Michelle are in Oahu, Hawaii, waiting for John’s return.