Donald Keene, a renowned scholar of Japanese literature, had his ashes scattered in the sea off Honolulu by his adopted son, Seiki Keene. The ceremony, which took place on June 6, 2025, was a tribute to Keene’s love for Hawaiʻi, a place that held special significance for him. Keene first came to Hawaiʻi while serving in the U.S. Navy Language Service during World War II, where he translated Japanese military documents. It was here that his interest in Japanese literature deepened. While in Hawaiʻi, he attended lectures on Japanese literature by Professor Yukuo Uyehara at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.

Mitsutaka Nakamura, UH Mānoa Japan Studies Librarian, shared and explained the documents with Seiki Keene, and noted the enthusiasm of Donald Keene, “I think Professor Uyehara was also impressed by the enthusiasm of the young American soldier.”

Seiki Keene (R) and Mitsutaka Nakamura (L) at Hamilton Library at UH Mānoa on June 4, 2025. (Source: Japan News)

Read on Japan News (English): https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/original/donald-keenes-legacy/20250811-274561/

On Yomiuri article (Japanese): https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sengo/20250810-OYT1T50106/