synopsis
The multi-ethnic Bonin Islanders grew up on an island in the Pacific Ocean as Japanese nationals under a U.S. Navy occupation following the Second World War. Having obtained at least a narrow view of American life that was complicated by their own mixed heritage, these islanders faced the painful task of accepting the reversion of the islands to Japan in 1968. Between Tides explores the stories of a postwar community torn apart and re-bonded by history.
History
The Bonin Islands were first settled in 1830 by a group of mixed raced people from Europe, America and Micro-Polynesia. From 1876, the islands were controlled by Japan and the Islanders became Japanese nationals, spoke the official Japanese language, but retained their English ability from their predecessors. During WWII, they were treated as enemy aliens by the Japanese community who forced the Islanders to change their foreign names to Japanese ones and banned them from speaking English.
At the end of WWII, the islands were forcibly taken over by the U.S. Navy, and the islanders lived for the following 22 years under American rule with American culture as the backbone of their community. The generation that was born and raised during this time, known as the Navy Generation, learned English in school and became loyal to the United States. In 1968, however, the islands were abruptly returned to Japan, forcing many of the Navy Generation who could not adapt to life in Japan and learn the language to leave for the U.S. or face hardships.
today
Choices were few and far between for the Navy Generation after the reversion. Most were able to make it to the United States where they worked and had families, though not without struggling. Some reluctantly stayed on the island, learned proper Japanese, and worked for the Tokyo Metropolitan government until retirement. Today, islanders are seen getting together in backyard barbecues much like old times. It is rare, however, that one sees them all together. They have moved on, made new friends, and seldom reminisce. An influx of Japanese from the mainland has paved over the island's American past. Resisting this current, Between Tides preserves what remains of those “lost” memories.
