His clothes are part of his identity

Interest in Japan stemmed from his mother and grandmother’s stories Learning Japanese traditions by observing his mother and grandmother Embraces his Japanese heritage Never sang Enka outside the family Coming to Japan Dreamed of becoming an Enka singer His clothes are part of his identity Hopes everyone pursues their dreams regardless of race or heritage Trying to convey the meaning of the songs Nikkei Sansei Considers Pittsburg his home, but always wanted to live in Japan Singing the way I sing (Japanese) "Harebutai" (Japanese) Getting on Kohaku (Japanese) The first concert in the United States (Japanese)

Transcripts available in the following languages:

It’s a part of who I am…you know, a lot of people think, you know, it’s a big gimmick or something, that…you know, you know…the people who are taking care of me, you know, want to do. But it’s a part of who I am…it’s—I don’t want to, you know, go on stage and be someone else because I am an American—I was born and raised here in the U.S. so, you know, I feel more American than I do Japanese. But, you know, this part of my life, being an enka singer, and singing enka music is something that, you know, I always keep close to me. And whenever I go on stage, I want to, you know, embrace enka and keep my identity. And, you know, this is how I dress on a regular basis—when I go outside, you know, when I’m out with my family, this is how I dress everyday.

Date: March 30, 2010
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Interview by Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum. Courtesy of Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

enka fashion hapa identity music