"This heartbreaking manga, by an award-winning cartoonist, examines the history of Okinawa and its military occupation. An essential manga classic presented in English for the first time."

"The short stories contained in this book were created by Susumu Higa between 1990 and 2000. They were originally published in Japanese as Suna no Tsuguri (1995) by Shogakuka Inc., Suna no Sugri 2nd edition (2010), and Mabui (2010) both by Serinkogeisha."--Colophon.

Original color artwork -- Author bio -- Sword of sand -- Sands of the setting sun -- About my mother -- Call of sand -- Soldiers of sand -- School -- Dirt thieves -- Afterword to Sword of sand -- Military landlord -- Tolerated cultivation -- Island duty -- Homecoming -- Military employee -- The journey of Jim Thomas -- Mabui -- Afterword to Mabui -- Glossary -- From Yamato to the United States: Okinawa in flux by Shinako Oyakawa -- Interview with Susumu Higa.