Discover Nikkei Logo

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/372/

Activities growing up in Peru

In 1940, I think, when they took census, there were twenty-six thousand Japanese and Japanese Peruvians in Peru and ninety percent were in Lima and Callao. But as far as housing and things, we were scattered all over the place, so there were no, no Japantown. Well, they had picnics like Fukuoka-kens (prefecture) and Kumamoto-kens, Okinawa-kens. They had their own, and we all had our own picnics. And like, like once a year in the school, they had the undokai (sporting event), which was a big thing. They'd divide the kids into red and white groups and you do different things like running and jumping all day, and you have a contest between red and white.


Nikkei Peru sports undokai United States

Date: Oct 26, 2003

Location: Washington, US

Interviewer: Alice Ito

Contributed by: Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

Interviewee Bio

Nisei male. Born June 6, 1930 in Callao, Peru. Grew up in Peru, raised by both parents and grandparents. During World War II, taken with parents to the United States on a U.S. troop transport ship. Lived in the Crystal City internment camp, Texas, until family moved to work at Seabrook, New Jersey, a produce work company camp. Drafted into the army in the 1950s, even though considered an illegal alien, and served in Germany. Raised a family in Chicago, Illinois, and San Jose, California after military discharge. In recent years, attended several pilgrimages to Tule Lake incarceration camp, California, as well as reunions of Japanese Peruvians. Involved in the Campaign for Justice, an effort to obtain redress for Japanese Latin Americans. He passed away on July 31, 2018 at age 88. (July 2018)

*The full interview is available Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

Johnny Mori
en
ja
es
pt
Johnny Mori

Thoughts on the term, "Nikkei"

(b. 1949) Musician and arts educator and adminstrator.

en
ja
es
pt
Kazuomi Takagi
en
ja
es
pt
Kazuomi Takagi

Generational Gap (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

en
ja
es
pt
Kazuomi Takagi
en
ja
es
pt
Kazuomi Takagi

Nikkei identity (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

en
ja
es
pt

Discover Nikkei Updates

NIMA VOICES
Episode 19
Guest host Tamlyn Tomita chatted with actor Christopher Sean in the latest episode of Nima Voices about his background, acting, and community involvement.
WATCH NOW!
NIKKEI CHRONICLES #14
Nikkei Family 2: Remembering Roots, Leaving Legacies
Find out which stories were selected as the Editorial Committee and Nima-kai Community Favorites!
SUPPORT THE PROJECT
Discover Nikkei’s 20 for 20 campaign celebrates our first 20 years and jumpstarts our next 20. Learn more and donate!