Tamiko Nimura, PhD, is an award-winning Asian American (Sansei/Pinay) creative nonfiction writer, community journalist, and public historian. She writes from an interdisciplinary, generative space based at the intersection of her love of literature, grounding in American ethnic studies, inherited pedagogy from teachers and community activists, and storytelling through history.
Tamiko’s words and work have appeared in a variety of outlets, including San Francisco Chronicle, Zócalo Public Square, Discover Nikkei, Nichibei, Narratively, The Rumpus, and Seattle’s International Examiner. Her co-authored graphic novel, We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration (Chin Music Press/Wing Luke Museum, 2021), has won several awards including its selection to represent Washington State at the National Book Festival in 2023. Her commissioned work includes a 10-year series of essays for the Japanese American National Museum as well as exhibit text for the Wing Luke Museum (Seattle) and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system.
Tamiko is the direct descendant of Japanese American World War II incarcerees, and has worked to keep this history alive through her writing and public speaking. She is a member of the Tule Lake Committee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and preserving the history of Japanese American incarceration at Tule Lake. A native Californian, Tamiko now lives with her family in Tacoma, Washington.
Tamiko is represented by Noelle Falcis Math and Amanda Orozco.
Welcome to Transatlantic Tamiko!