Interviews

1. Coming to America (Japanese)

2. First work in America (Japanese)

3. Bad business deal (Japanese)

4. Japan vs. the United States (Japanese)

5. Company in Tokyo burned down (Japanese)

6. Match-making (Japanese)

7. Two race horses (Japanese)

8. Buying violin (Japanese)

(1900-2005) Issei businessman

Buying violin (Japanese)

(Japanese) In Japan, when I was 18, in Osaka, out of my 24-yen-a-month salary, I put out a whole 20 yen and bought it. On the boat, I would play it by myself—kee-ko, kee-ko. When I was just messing around, people would come around and clap. I would be playing, kee-ko, kee-ko. Gradually, I became able to play it.

[Playing violine]

music violins

Date: October 14 & 17, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Eriko Yamamoto

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

Interviewee Bio

Kazuo Funai, 104-year-old pioneer Issei from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, owned and operated a market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. In 1941, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Funai had made arrangements to move to Tokyo to set up a business enterprise. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was unable to travel to Japan and was financially ruined. In addition, he and his family were incarcerated in an American concentration camp. He survived these obstacles to later start several successful businesses.

Mr. Funai passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the age of 105. (August 16, 2005)

Explore More Videos

Interviewee

Tag

Keywords

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Taiko, an element that represents strength (Spanish)

(b. 1974) Director of Ryukyu Matsuri Daiko in Peru

Tango makes him to stay in Argentina (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

"Harebutai" (Japanese)

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

Singing the way I sing (Japanese)

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

Getting on Kohaku (Japanese)

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

Differences between American and Japanese taiko

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

Promoting group identity through taiko contests (Japanese)

(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California

Politics in music

(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist

Appreciating Kinnara Taiko's approach to taiko

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

A Japanese American gardening dance

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

Bringing Japanese American taiko to Japan

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

Playing for Yourself

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

Introducing Taiko in Vancouver

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

Discover Nikkei Updates

DISCOVER NIKKEI PROGRAM

July 12 • Burnaby, British Columbia
Join us for a book talk, reception, and panel discussion on Japanese Canadian history. The panel discussion will also be live-streamed via Zoom!

NIKKEI CHRONICLES #14