"The cartoons by Henry “Yoshitaka” Kiyama capture the wonderful sense of humor and satirical irony Japanese immigrants retained in the midst of the anti-Japanese exclusion movement which cast them in the most sinister light. They depict the lives of ordinary Japanese immigrants with unerring accuracy."—Yuji Ichioka, Research Associate, Asian American Studies Center at UCLA, and author of The Issei: The World of the First Generation Japanese Immigrants, 1885–1924
"Forty years before the birth of underground and alternative comix, Henry Kiyama was experimenting in comic strip form with comics as autobiography, comics as personal statement, comics as sociology, anthropology, and political science, not to mention comics as a comment on racial and class attitudes and antagonism. In a time when traditional comics didn’t dare venture into this territory, Kiyama covers it as a matter of course, as if his strip is no more or less than his bemused comic diary. It is that, but it is more, much more."—Jules Feiffer, Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist
"For younger Japanese Americans who never had the privilege of hearing first-hand the recollections of immigrant forebears, the reincarnations of Kiyama’s work will offer a bittersweet look into the history of their people."—Bill Hosokawa, principal historian, Japanese American Citizens League
"A treasure. Like the Yellow Kid and Jiggs & Maggie, The Four Immigrants Manga is a splendid and authentic example of the immigrant literature of the period. More candid and outspoken than any of its contemporaries, it is a classic that demonstrates the true literary role of the comics to reflect ordinary life. It is fun to read. It belongs in every library."—Will Eisner, graphic novelist, creator of The Spirit
"A fascinating journey back in time. Henry Kiyama’s comic-book novel reminds us of the humor and humanity of our ancestors, as well as the hardships they faced. As a documentary filmmaker, I was thrilled by its honesty."—Steven Okazaki, Academy Award–winning filmmaker
These poignant tales of four immigrants in turn-of-the-century San Francisco try for irony in depicting the protagonists' attempts to understand the convoluted whims of their American employers. But the humor hovers near slapstick, and the pie is always in the face of the Caucasians. The illustrations are direct and effective; we see how hard it is for Japanese immigrants to reach the top shelf of an American cupboard. The story is bookended by the dates 1904 and 1924, as in 1924 the immigration laws stiffened and some of the protagonists elected to return to Japan. After 18 years of preparation, this book includes extensive notes historically pinpointing several of the cartoons and an introduction providing an overview of the author/illustrator. Though not quite the first "graphic novel" ever, as it is being touted, this book does have historical significance and belongs in libraries specializing in comics, cartoons, and graphic novels, as well as those focusing on California history, immigrant studies, and the Japanese American experience.--Stephen Weiner, Maynard P.L., MA
