Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/749/

Her interests in Japanese culture (Spanish)

(Spanish) I am Argentine because I was born here. But it is true that I have a significant affinity for Japanese culture and, in part, I feel Japanese. That is, in contrast with my sister, who, for example, has no interest in Japanese culture, nor does she study the Japanese language, or have any interest in visiting Japan. And nor has she ever planned to visit Japan. I believe that this tendency [toward Japanese culture] is much stronger in me. Japanese culture interests me so much. I want to understand my Japanese grandfather; [in my efforts] to try to understand [my grandfather], it is necessary for me to study Japanese culture, especially because I live in Argentina immersed in an absolutely western culture. I watch Japanese movies or read Japanese novels, although in translation. I study Japanese, and I realize that the vision of the Asian world is absolutely distinct. I cannot deny that I have a very strong attraction to this other vision of the world.


culture families identity

Date: July 12, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Paula Hoyos Hattori is a sansei born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a student of letters and dance. Her father is a descendant of Argentine Indians, while her mother is a Nisei, a daughter of Japanese parents. Paula’s particular profile (half Argentine, half Japanese) provides a distinctive vision because of the fusion of these two cultures. (July 12, 2006)

Roy Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,Roy

The philosophy of playing Taiko

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

en
ja
es
pt
Jero  (Jerome Charles White Jr.)
en
ja
es
pt
(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Learning Japanese traditions by observing his mother and grandmother

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

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

Nihongo gakko - Preserving Japanese culture (Spanish)

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

en
ja
es
pt
Peter Mizuki
en
ja
es
pt
Mizuki,Peter

Not wanting to stand out as a foreigner

Sansei Japanese American living in Japan and Kendo practioner

en
ja
es
pt
Frank Yamasaki
en
ja
es
pt
Yamasaki,Frank

Have compassion for all of humanity

(b. 1923) Nisei from Washington. Resisted draft during WWII.

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

Identity crisis (Spanish)

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

en
ja
es
pt
Jero  (Jerome Charles White Jr.)
en
ja
es
pt
(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Never sang Enka outside the family

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

en
ja
es
pt
Fujima Kansuma
en
ja
es
pt
Kansuma,Fujima

Both Japanese and American identities though Japanese dance

(1918-2023) Nisei Japanese kabuki dancer

en
ja
es
pt
Jero  (Jerome Charles White Jr.)
en
ja
es
pt
(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Coming to Japan

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

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

Results of being more American than Japanese

(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist

en
ja
es
pt
Jero  (Jerome Charles White Jr.)
en
ja
es
pt
(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Trying to convey the meaning of the songs

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

en
ja
es
pt
Kenny Endo
en
ja
es
pt
Endo,Kenny

Internship on a Native American reservation in Arizona

(b.1952) Master drummer, artistic director of the Taiko Center of the Pacific

en
ja
es
pt
Vince Ota
en
ja
es
pt
Ota,Vince

Different tension between East Coast and Los Angeles

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

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

Differences between American and Japanese taiko

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

en
ja
es
pt
Francis Y. Sogi
en
ja
es
pt
Sogi,Francis Y.

Meeting Japanese Americans from the mainland in MIS

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

en
ja
es
pt