Kibei: Nisei in Grand Sumo

In this powerful episode, we trace the incredible journeys of Kibei, Japanese Americans who crossed the Pacific to pursue lives, and sumo careers, in Japan. We cover a wide span of history, from before WWI through WWII and beyond, uncovering the challenges these Nisei faced both inside and outside the sumo world. But this story isn’t just history, it hits close to home. One of our hosts shares a deeply personal connection that brings this story full circle... and yes, JJ cried again. This one is heavy, but necessary. Join us as we explore how sumo, identity, and history collide across generations.