Miss Numè of Japan: A Japanese-American Romance

Published in 1899, 'Miss Numè of Japan' by Onoto Watanna is a pioneering work in Asian-American literature. The novel follows childhood friends Orito Takashima and Numè Watanabe, whose arranged marriage is complicated by Orito's studies in America. As they navigate societal expectations and personal desires, the story explores themes of love, ambition, and cultural identity. Notably, it highlights the struggles of Japanese women against traditional constraints and advocates for the autonomy of the 'new woman' in a rapidly changing world.