Discover Nikkei Logo

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1810/

Loss When Leaving for Manzanar

I think we lost an awful lot of things I would love to still have and I think this is consistent with the experience of an awful lot of people like us. My mother got rid of displays for girls day, boy’s day, and the wonderful little dolls in the court of the lord and so on that they used to display on the steps- I think she had to get rid of those things and of course all the other, more technical things like flashlights.

But the things that reflected your heritage and the loss of those things, if anything brings about a sense of loss or to be honest about it, rankles you, would be things like that- these dolls and various things they had put away. It was almost like Christmas ornaments, they would bring them out once a year. That was sad.


California concentration camps Manzanar concentration camp United States World War II World War II camps

Date: August 6, 1998

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Janice Tanaka

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

Interviewee Bio
Iwao Takamoto (April 29, 1925 – January 8, 2007) was a legendary animator for Walt Disney and Hanna Barbera, most famously designing Scooby Doo in the late sixties. Incarcerated at Manzanar after graduating high school, Iwao leveraged his art skills into a job at Disney upon returning to Los Angeles, working on classic animated films like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. He would go on to mentor other Japanese American animators such as Willie Ito, who worked with him on Lady and the Tramp. After leaving Disney for Hanna-Barbera in 1962, Iwao continued animating, as well as producing and directing films like Charlotte's Web (1973) until his retirement. (June 2021)
Archie Miyatake
en
ja
es
pt
Archie Miyatake

His father describes the importance of photographing camp life

(1924-2016) Photographer and businessman.

en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

Impact of Pearl Harbor on her family

(b. 1934) Writer

en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

Initial impact on life at camp

(b. 1934) Writer

en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

The birth of a novel through a conversation with her nephew

(b. 1934) Writer

en
ja
es
pt
George Abe
en
ja
es
pt
George Abe

Realizing Importance of Birthplace

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto
en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto

Mixed emotions after declaration of war on Japan

(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.

en
ja
es
pt
George Abe
en
ja
es
pt
George Abe

Honing Artistic Talent at Camp

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto
en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto

Train ride to Jerome Relocation Center

(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.

en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto
en
ja
es
pt
Roy H. Matsumoto

Atmosphere in his Merrill’s Marauders unit when surrounded by Japanese soldiers

(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.

en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
en
ja
es
pt
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

Not a "camp story" but a human story

(b. 1934) Writer

en
ja
es
pt
Grace Aiko Nakamura
en
ja
es
pt
Grace Aiko Nakamura

Larry designing chairs in the camp

Sister of automotive designer Larry Shinoda

en
ja
es
pt
Richard Kosaki
en
ja
es
pt
Richard Kosaki

Under suspicion after Pearl Harbor

(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i

en
ja
es
pt
Art Shibayama
en
ja
es
pt
Art Shibayama

Family's deportation from Peru to U.S. after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

(1930-2018) Nisei born in Peru. Taken to the United States during WWII.

en
ja
es
pt
Art Shibayama
en
ja
es
pt
Art Shibayama

Conditions aboard U.S. transport ship while being deported from Peru

(1930-2018) Nisei born in Peru. Taken to the United States during WWII.

en
ja
es
pt
Roger Shimomura
en
ja
es
pt
Roger Shimomura

Receiving a negative reaction from father upon asking about World War II experience

(b. 1939) Japanese American painter, printmaker & professor

en
ja
es
pt

Discover Nikkei Updates

CALL FOR VIDEOS
Pass the Food!
Be in our video celebrating Nikkei worldwide. Click to learn how to submit! Deadline extended to October 15!
NIKKEI CHRONICLES #13
Nikkei Names 2: Grace, Graça, Graciela, Megumi?
What’s in a name? Share the story of your name with our community. Submissions close on October 31!
NIMA VOICES
Episode 17
November 12
5pm PDT | 7pm PET
Featured Nima:
Graciela Nakachi
Guest Host:
Enrique Higa

Presented in Spanish