Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1246/

Family’s acceptance

It’s a challenge, especially if you’re Asian, yes. Asians go into doctors, they become lawyers or accountants or something. Actually, my father pushed me. “Well, you should go into computers, or take some business, get a business degree, you know.” But I really wanted to do artwork. I quit my job, I went full time into freelance artwork. And lived, moving up to LA from Hawaii. We did not know anyone here, so it was basically knocking on doors, calling, making phone calls, and basically taking whatever I could get. T-shirt designs, book illustrations, magazine illustrations, newspapers. But when Usagi [Yojimbo] happened, I was able to devote, pretty much full time to Usagi. And I remember my first book signing in Hawaii, my father thought he’d come over to see me. And he could not get into the store because of the crowds. So after that, “Well, I guess Stan’s doing okay then.” So I think that was the acceptance right there.


cartoonists comics families graphic novels Hawaii manga occupations (employment) United States

Date: September 28, 2010

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Lynn Yamasaki, Maria Kwong

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

Interviewee Bio

Stan Sakai was born in Kyoto, Japan, and raised in Hawai‘i. Sansei illustrator and writer Stan Sakai is known for his creation of the popular comic book character, “Usagi Yojimbo” in 1984. Since 1987, a series of comic books have detailed the adventures of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in the late 16th and early 17th Century. Sakai is known for his incorporation of actual Japanese history and culture, once winning an award for “skillful weaving of facts and legends into his work.” An exhibition of his work was organized by the Museum in 2011. (August 2012)

Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

Starting work at five years old

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

Meeting Japanese Americans from the mainland in MIS

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

Not relating to Japan Americans' experiences on the mainland

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

Visiting family in Japan

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Bert A. Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,Bert A.

Less information about Hawai‘i in mainland

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

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Bert A. Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,Bert A.

Family first

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

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Bert A. Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,Bert A.

Being accepted as biracial family

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

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George Yamada
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Yamada,George

Memories of railroad workers who stayed at family's prewar hotel in Spokane, Washington

(b. 1923) Chick sexer

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Richard Mamiya
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Mamiya,Richard

Starting a medical program in Hawai‘i

(b.1925) Sansei, cardiovascular surgeon.

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Father's role in starting the Wailea Milling Company

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Growing up with Japanese language and values

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Memories of family dinners

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Being a tomboy

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Taking over husband’s orchid farm and nursery

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Margaret Oda
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Oda,Margaret

Victory Corps Work during World War II

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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