Discover Nikkei Logo

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1404/

Luckiest Issei

My father is just like one of the Issei, work hard, and be honest. And everything keep clean. And obey to order. So I think Mr. Cotton liked my father's working habits...? Not habits... ethics. So once my father felt Mr. Cotton's kindness, he believed him like a god, I guess. And also, Mrs. Cotton teaching him everything, high society's manners. So my father, when I was a kid, my father was very strict about table manners, how to eat with a fork and knife, how to drink soup, how to eat and cut meat.

After you guys growing up, and maybe they want back to USA or foreign student to America. That time, I don't want you guys to get poor feeling from the white student, so you should know the manners, etiquette. That was my teacher's, what my father taught us. That was all learned from Mrs. Cotton. So overall, my father was really luckiest Issei, I guess.


aesthetics education ethics generations immigrants immigration Issei Japan metaphysics migration psychology theory of knowledge values

Date: January 31, 2012

Location: California, US

Interviewer: John Esaki, Yoko Nishimura

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

Interviewee Bio

Edward Toru Horikiri (b. 1929), Kibei Nisei, was born in Little Tokyo, but moved with his family back to Japan when he was 18 months old. He was raised and educated in Japan during World War II, but decided to return to the U.S. in 1952 in order to re-establish the family business that was disrupted by the War. However, lacking sufficient English language skills, he did a variety of jobs including gardener, houseboy, truck driver, and grocery and supermarket employee. He continued to be involved in cultural activities through Japanese language community organizations and friendships with artists such as Taro Yashima. (June 2014)

Sam Naito
en
ja
es
pt
Sam Naito

Growing up outside of Portland’s Japanese community

(b. 1921) Nisei businessman. Established "Made in Oregon" retail stores

en
ja
es
pt
Seiichi Tanaka
en
ja
es
pt
Seiichi Tanaka

Japanese musical education

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

en
ja
es
pt
Alice Sumida
en
ja
es
pt
Alice Sumida

Education in a Buddhist temple and a country school

(1914-2018) Founder of the largest gladiolus bulb farm in the United States.

en
ja
es
pt
Alfredo Kato
en
ja
es
pt
Alfredo Kato

Post-war experiences in Lima (Spanish)

(b. 1937) Professional journalist

en
ja
es
pt
Bill Hashizume
en
ja
es
pt
Bill Hashizume

Father’s will to have Japanese education

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

en
ja
es
pt
Byron Glaser
en
ja
es
pt
Byron Glaser

Supporting art because it's essential

Illustrator and designer

en
ja
es
pt
Roy Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Roy Hirabayashi

Learning Japanese at school and at home with family

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mónica Kogiso
en
ja
es
pt
Mónica Kogiso

Nihongo gakko - Preserving Japanese culture (Spanish)

(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.

en
ja
es
pt
Aiko Yoshinaga Herzig
en
ja
es
pt
Aiko Yoshinaga Herzig

Results of being more American than Japanese

(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist

en
ja
es
pt
Lorraine Bannai
en
ja
es
pt
Lorraine Bannai

First learning about the incarceration experience in college

(b. 1955) Lawyer

en
ja
es
pt
Dale Minami
en
ja
es
pt
Dale Minami

Reasons for conformity and competitiveness in Gardena, California

(b. 1946) Lawyer

en
ja
es
pt
Dale Minami
en
ja
es
pt
Dale Minami

Impact of the original Korematsu case on current events

(b. 1946) Lawyer

en
ja
es
pt
Roberto Hirose
en
ja
es
pt
Roberto Hirose

Retaining Japanese customs (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

en
ja
es
pt
Michie Akama
en
ja
es
pt
Michie Akama

Opening a Japanese-style all-girls' school in Brazil (Japanese)

Issei, Pioneer of women's education in Brazil

en
ja
es
pt
Paula Hoyos Hattori
en
ja
es
pt
Paula Hoyos Hattori

Studying Japanese to understand her grandfather (Spanish)

Sansei Argentinean

en
ja
es
pt

Discover Nikkei Updates

NIKKEI NAMES 2
Vote for Nima-kai Favorite!
Read the stories and give a star to the ones you like the most! Help select our Community Favorite.
NIMA VOICES
Episode 17
November 12
5pm PDT | 7pm PET
Featured Nima:
Graciela Nakachi
Guest Host:
Enrique Higa

Presented in Spanish
NEW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
We’re on Instagram!
Follow us @discovernikkei for new site content, program announcements, and more!