Following the liberalization of emigration laws in Japan in 1885, a significant wave of Japanese immigrants began arriving in the U.S. mainland, largely settling in California. Between 1886 and 1911, more than 400,000 Japanese men and women left for the U.S. and U.S.-controlled lands, drawn by economic opportunities and the promise of a better life. These immigrants were predominantly farmers and laborers who faced discrimination and exclusionary laws, setting the stage for the Japanese American experience. Their arrival marked the beginning of a lasting Asian presence on the West Coast.

The early wave of Japanese immigration and the subsequent experiences of Japanese Americans are central themes in the works of writers like Hisaye Yamamoto and John Okada. Their stories and novels explore the challenges of racism, labor, and identity faced by the Issei (first-generation) and Nisei (second-generation) communities. The poetry and prose of this tradition give voice to a community that has often been marginalized in American literature, highlighting their resilience and cultural contributions.