Upon finishing the reading the book and reviewing paradigm questions I realized that there was a severe lack of Japanese culture mentioned. Otsuka mentions some Japanese items and cultural characteristics but they are either packed up in the beginning with all the other household belongings or mentioned to the children not to bring them up. I feel as though it is a method Otsuka used to signify the decay of Japanese culture in Japanese Americans that went to the detention/holding camps. This is also signified by the title. The children are taught not to mention the Japanese emperor's name and therefore devaluing all things representing Japan.
When they all returned from the camps it was implied that they lost a lot out of their time in the camps even though some characters mentioned that it was only a segment in their life. It was not just a section of their lives, it was a pivotal moment in Japanese culture in America. When the father returns, he is not the same man he was. He was easily upset and not as happy as he use to be. His detention took some of his life and soul out of him. Japanese culture was taken away from many of them.
I hit on some similar aspects in my blog post for this novel as well. I noticed that there was a definate loss of culture but also taking on a different identity. I can't help but wonder after reading both books if the individuals in the books ever went back to their original beliefs, religions, or lifestyles after being released from the camps. It certaintly appears as though the father never reverts back to his normal ways but I was curious how this would affect the children. I was also hoping that in "Citizen 13660" there would have been more information on what life was like for the author after returning home opposed to just ending the novel on the day of her releasment.
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