Placing Okinawa: A Look at the Short Stories of Medoruma Shun

Medoruma Shun is an Okinawan activist, writer, and second-generation survivor of The Battle of Okinawa. He garnered recognition for his writings when he received the Akutagawa Prize in 1997 for his short story Droplets. Many of his short stories include what has been dubbed ‘magic realism’ in which he introduces a hint of mysticism or a touch of the supernatural into stories that take place in the real world. As an activist, Shun speaks out against the many U.S. military bases that are scattered across the island of Okinawa and prevent the native people from utilizing their land and oceans. James Kotey is a second year IDMA student in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. He received his bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Culture from Florida State University and served for five years in the United States Marine Corps. His research interests include translation and raising awareness for the U.S. base concerns in Okinawa.
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