JOY KOGAWA, O.C., O.B.C.
Joy Nozomi Kogawa is a Canadian poet and novelist of Japanese descent.  Born Joy Nozomi Nakayama 
in Vancouver, British Columbia, she was sent to internment camps in the Slocan and Coaldale, Alberta 
during World War II.  

Although the majority of her writing is poetry, her best-known work is Obasan (1981), 
a semi-autobiographical novel. A sequel, Itsuka (1992), was rewritten and retitled Emily Kato (2005).  

Obasan was later adapted into a children's book, Naomi's Road (1986), which, in turn, Vancouver Opera 
adapted into a 45 minute opera that toured elementary schools throughout British Columbia.  

The opera was also performed before the general public in the Greater Vancouver area, Red Deer, Alberta 
and Seattle, Washington.  

In 1986, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada, and in 2006, she was made a 
Member of the Order of British Columbia.

Obasan has been named as one of the most important books in Canadian history by 
the Literary Review of Canada and was also listed by The Toronto Star in a "Best of Canada" feature.