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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1180/

About her father

Oh my father was a typical Issei I would say. Number 1: he was super strict. And yet - that’s only one facet of his personality. But he did care for us, he was a very hard worker and I would say to the end of his life, he was super ethical. And so he had strength of character and he had a very good sense of humor. I used to go, I mean, he was in…was it Taul Building on First and San Pedro? Well, he had an office on a corner on the third floor and a lot of times I would ask him if he wanted me to clean his office, so I would go and clean his office and then children would come and he would be laughing and gushing over them and all this and that and he was really friendly, etc. and he would give them something later on and I would come home and say, “gee momma, how come papa is so nice to kids and he’s always telling us that hmph!” You know, and his favorite word to me was “baka!


families generations immigrants immigration Issei Japan migration

Date: February 3, 2010

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Eiko Masuyama, Carole Fujita, Yoko Nishimura

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

Interviewee Bio

Margaret Kuroiwa is the third daughter of Dr. Daishiro Kuroiwa from Saga-ken, Japan and Agnes Haruyo Ogawa Kuroiwa. Her father was a prominent Issei physician who worked at the Turner Street Southern California Japanese Hospital, and was one of the five doctors, along with Dr. Tashiro, to file the lawsuit against the State of California. His practice was in Boyle Heights and in the Taul Building in Little Tokyo. He also treated tuberculosis patients at the Monrovia Sanitarium. She and her 4 sisters were born at the new Japanese Hospital on First and Fickett. (April 11, 2010)

George Abe
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Getting along with "Jichan" and "Bachan"

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

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Kristi Yamaguchi
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Grandparent's unspoken past

(b.1971) Professional figure skater and Olympic gold medalist.

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Johnnie Morton
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Talking with Grandmother

(b.1971) Professional football player.

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George Yoshida
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Introduction to Jazz

(b. 1922) Musician

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Daniel K. Inouye
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A story about his mother

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

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Daniel K. Inouye
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A story about his father

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

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Kay Fukumoto
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Taiko as a family tradition

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

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Kay Fukumoto
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Obon and the community

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

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Kay Fukumoto
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Taiko as a family activity

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

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Kay Fukumoto
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The multicultural perspective

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

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Kay Fukumoto
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Mothers and Taiko

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

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Sakaye Shigekawa
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Joining the hospital unit in Santa Anita Race Track

(1913-2013) Doctor specializing in obstetrics in Southern California

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Doris Moromisato
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Looking Inside (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Peruvian Poet, Okinawan descendant

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Doris Moromisato
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I’m a Japanese, Peruvian… who am I? (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Peruvian Poet, Okinawan descendant

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Henry Suto
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Fitting back into American life

(1928 - 2008) Drafted into both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.

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