"From a Three-Cornered World" presents 60 poems by James Mitsui, 25 of them new. His poetry has, over two decades' time and three previous volumes, asserted a strong and significant voice within the growing tradition of Asian American literature.
Mitsui's poems contain a family history of immigration to the Pacific Northwest from Japan and the assimilation of American culture over three generations, including the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II. His vignettes of family life are gems of bittersweet humor and tenacious affection, revealing a deft and earthly poetic charm. Mitsui ranges over many subjects and deals with major themes in language that is spare yet lyrical, expressing historical insight in profoundly moving imagery.