AbstractThe three essays that comprise this section of this issue began as conference papers delivered at the annual meeting of the American Historical Association in January 2008, Washington, D.C. The panel was organized by Professor Samuel Yamashita of Pomona College, a longtime advocate of forging links between the fields of Asian Studies and Asian American Studies. In his usual gentle way, Sam Yamashita brought the panelists together, took care of the panel proposal, and then stepped aside and let these younger scholars take the floor. Over drinks after the panel, we all came to realize that Madeline Hsu and Catherine Ceniza Choy had both been students of Sam's as undergraduates. Charles Hayford approached Sam about creating a special issue of this journal based on the panel, and I, as the panel's discussant would serve as guest editor. Charles later suggested that we dedicate this issue to Sam as a token of our appreciation for his scholarship and mentorship. And we do so with great pleasure.