The Transplantable Roots of Catharine Huws Nagashima : Encounters with the Welsh in Japan

Since the first 'Welch' sailor set foot on Japanese shores in the seventeenth century to the present-day presence of high-tech Japanese companies in the Valleys, Wales and Japan are two nations with deeply entwined roots. This groundbreaking book captures a chorus of modern-day Welsh migrants to Japan, revealing the remarkable stories of those who have made their lives in this distant land.

Meet Catharine who, in 1965, followed her Japanese husband to an 'out of kilter' house in the seaside town of Zushi; Jac, the 'capitalist ski bum', who guides tourists through the bear-infested wilds of snowy Hokkaido; and Simon, who clears jungle vines on a volcanic island in the Seto Inland Sea to develop his vegan farm. There are also actors, writers, teachers, an ex-bouncer turned martial artist, a filmmaker, a games localiser, and many more—even Japanese fans who promote Welsh culture in their homeland.

Together they form a polyphonic group portrait based on oral-history techniques, mixing travel writing, character study and reportage, with an ear for natural speech. With a foreword by Lord Gregory Mostyn, this is a fascinating exploration of two cultures connected across continents.