Following on the heels of her acclaimed graphic novel debut, Coming to Canada, singular artist and storyteller Starkie Mak returns with an intimate story about family secrets. Her grandfather, fighting in WW2 for imperialist Japan, is captured and taken as a POW in the USA. Unable to return to Japan, he is disgraced by his own government and forgotten by his own family. Until now. Mak tells a story of secrets, love and one man's longing for the simplest of things, to taste his favourite street treat, Taiyaki.
As a young man, Daisuke enjoys the simple things, spending time with family, taking his little sister to the bakery for caramel pudding, and eating his favourite treat, taiyaki. He meets Sachiko and through acts of kindness, they fall in love. They hold hands and watch fireworks.
However, war is coming. Daisuke and Sachiko are separated during a bombing of their prefecture. They vow to meet at their cherished taiyaki stand. Both are lost in the chaos and destruction. Daisuke is captured and taken as a prisoner of war to the United States. He is stripped of his name and his honour. Unable to return to Japan, he is disgraced by his own government and erased by his own family. Until now. In her singular voice and driven by the need to discover her own lineage and legacy, the author tells a story of family secrets, the ravages of war on children, and the undying love between young hearts.
Based on her own Grandfather's harrowing tale, Remembering Taiyaki should be considered essential reading for all ages.
