Interviews
Appreciation of Japanese food
I think, mainly, it’s like the whole general atmosphere. I never…you don’t stand out here. As a Japanese American, you don’t stand out in society. You blend in. As far as…for me, it was very interesting to live here as a foreigner and as a non-Japanese because I enjoy watching people, watching society.
Probably other than kendo – kendo is very interesting for me – to study here is the food. I really enjoy eating in Japan. I really enjoy the food. I think that was the most…that’s one singular thing I can point to. When I came to Japan, I was so happy wherever I worked until I could get rice. I had rice and there was Japanese food. It was really good. And even the Chinese, Japanese/Chinese food is really good. I always enjoyed it. Still enjoy it.
The other thing is I found Japanese have a very highly refined culinary culture here. And I enjoy eating fish. I like eating fish and they really had a lot of varieties of fish. I think if I had to point to one thing, it would be food. I really enjoy living here. Each season – now it’s fall – we can’t afford it, but they have matsutake (mushroom) and they have oysters from Hiroshima will come up. Mikan (tangerine oranges) are coming in season now. I like to sit down with a bag full of mikan and watch TV and eat four or five mikan.
Date: November 11, 2003
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Interviewer: Art Nomura
Contributed by: Art Nomura, Finding Home.
Explore More Videos
Looking at your country from the outside
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
Wife's family in Japan
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
Lack of notion of citizenship in Japan
(b.1935) American born Japanese. Retired businessman.
Impression of Japan upon arrival
(b.1935) American born Japanese. Retired businessman.
Lack of language skills
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Preserving traditional Japanese culture
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Having patience in Japan, being both
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
New Year's food
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Being on the outside
(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.
Working at the magazine
(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.
His parents' experience with Japanese resistance toward intermarriage with Okinawans
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Working in cane fields as teenager, and how it helped in his athletic training (Japanese)
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Nickname
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Mixed emotions after declaration of war on Japan
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.