Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1677/

Representing her Family and the Japanese American Community in Acting

I don’t know that I felt like everyone else. I felt like I was – I had to behave, I was setting an example – everything I did reflected not only on my mother and father or my sisters, but on all the Japanese-American community. So I had to behave and be good, because otherwise I would bring shame to the community. I felt like I was very much a part of that Issei/Nisei community right after the war. Maybe that was good for me, kept me out of trouble.


acting actors artists communities entertainers identity

Date: November 8, 2018

Location: California, US

Interviewer: June Berk

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Takayo Fischer, born in November 1932, is a Nisei American stage, film, and TV actress. During World War II, as a young child, she and her family were forcibly evacuated from the West Coast and spent time in the Fresno Assembly Center before being relocated to Jerome and Rohwer concentration camps. Fischer later lived in Chicago, Illinois, where, as a young adult, she won the crown of “Miss Nisei Queen.” She has appeared in dozens of major Hollywood films, including Moneyball (2011), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). She also appeared in the stage production of The World of Suzie Wong in New York in 1958 and many productions with East West Players in Los Angeles. (June 2018)

Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

American values she aligns with

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

Working together in Okinawa using three languages

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamada,Mitsuye

Expressing herself through poetry

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

Matsumoto,Juan Alberto

Changes in the Nikkei Community in Japan (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan

Matsumoto,Juan Alberto

About Escobar (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan

Teisher,Monica

Keirokai, the biggest celebration in the Cali Nikkei community

(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States

Teisher,Monica

Her definition of Nikkei

(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States

Yamamoto,Mia

Cofounding the Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Association

(b. 1943) Japanese American transgender attorney

Yamamoto,Mia

Understanding anti black racism in high school

(b. 1943) Japanese American transgender attorney

Yamamoto,Mia

Standing up for social justice

(b. 1943) Japanese American transgender attorney

McKenna,Sabrina Shizue

Impact of Coming Out on Her Family

(b. 1957) Jusice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.