How Sasami’s zainichi heritage informs her music

The World

To this day, Japan is home to a large population of so-called “zainichi Koreans,” who can trace their ancestry back to Japan’s decadeslong occupation of Korea, before and during World War II. Musician Sasami Ashworth grew up in the US, but this history and her family upbringing echoes in her music. As part of The World’s regular collaboration with the podcast “Movement,” host Meklit Hadero talks with Ashworth about her acclaimed record “Squeeze,” and how it fits within a larger cycle of creation, restoration and self-discovery.

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