Yumiko Hashimoto
Born in Kobe city of the Hyogo prefecture, she has lived in Los Angeles since 1997. Works as an editor for a Nikkei Community paper, and also writes articles based on local happenings. When she was in Japan, she had never even heard of the word “Nikkei-jin,” let alone the existence of internment camps during World War II. She is participating in the Discover Nikkei site in hopes that the readers can “keep the existence of Nikkei people close to their hearts and minds.”
Updated October 2008
Stories from This Author
生活排水の再利用から誕生した サンフェルナンドバレーの日本庭園「水芳園」 － 今後の継続のために、ぜひ訪問を！
Dec. 28, 2010 • Yumiko Hashimoto
12月中旬、雨上がりの「水芳園」を訪れました。サンフェルナンドバレー、ヴァンナイズのティルマン下水再利用プラント内にある日本庭園です。 訪問にあたり、前もって電話にてドーセント（ガイド）をお願いしておきました。運が良かったのか、この時間に予約したのは私一人。ドーセントのジュリー・ウーさんと二人で廻ることになりました。 この日本庭園が造られた歴史から始めることにしましょう。 「水芳園」がある下水再利用プラントの正式名称は、「Donald C. Tillman Water Re…
Visiting Nikkei Senior Gardens - Practicing the spirit of "respect for the aged" at a home for Japanese seniors in the San Fernando Valley -
Aug. 27, 2010 • Yumiko Hashimoto
In late January of last year, a nursing home facility called Nikkei Senior Gardens opened in Arleta, San Fernando Valley. As its name suggests, it is a facility aimed primarily at elderly Japanese-Americans. I visited Nikkei Senior Gardens, where the trees are still in their infancy.The person who showed me around the facility was Alan Slight, the executive director. I had assumed that the facility's manager would be of Japanese descent, so I was a little surprised to see that …
40 Families History Project
Feb. 24, 2010 • Yumiko Hashimoto
Local library traces the history of 40 families through a commemorative photo of Japanese immigrants living in Palos Verdes at the beginning of the 20th Century “Looking at the photo, I wondered who these people were. Who are they? Who are their families? I wondered if we couldn’t piece it all together.” So thought Marjeanne Blinn, a Palos Verdes Library District librarian, as she looked at a photo of Japanese American families on the wall of the Local History Room …
Veteran Shiatsu Therapist with 29 years of experience in the US, Tsuyoshi Meji - He has performed many miraculous treatments, but is happy when people say "I'm better" -
Jan. 13, 2010 • Yumiko Hashimoto
When I came to America, I was surprised to find that things that are popular among ordinary Americans are sushi, karaoke, Kurosawa, Hello Kitty... and one more thing: seating. Tsuyoshi Metoki, who runs "EZ Shiatsu & Massage" in Little Tokyo, started working as a shiatsu therapist in America in 1981. This was a time when most Americans were not yet aware of the comfort of having acupressure applied to their bodies.When she first started working in the U.S., the majority …
Preserving The Origins of Sushi – Chef Toshihiko Seki: The “Japanese Flavor” that can only be pursued in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Oct. 6, 2009 • Yumiko Hashimoto
“Did I struggle in the East Coast? Not at all.” Toshi-san stands behind the counter, and with a disarming smile asks, “Is there anything that you don’t like?” Toshi Sushi is located three doors down from the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. The man behind the counter preparing the sushi is the owner of this establishment, Toshihiko Seki. Known as “Toshi-san” to all of his patrons, he made his move from Connecticut to Los Angeles just three years …
"Yamato Nadeshiko" Masako Kawashima opens frozen yogurt shop in Beverly Hills
July 2, 2009 • Yumiko Hashimoto
Before meeting her, I imagined her to be a very Americanized, strong woman. Masako Kawashima, the owner of Sno:la, a frozen yogurt shop located on Beverly Drive in Rodeo Eve, completely changed my preconceptions. She was a gentle and flexible "Yamato Nadeshiko.""I've been working in the entertainment industry for a long time. I invite events (concerts, sports, etc.) to Japan and organize tours. I've had the opportunity to tour with a variety of people, including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, …
Adult Nikkei who start learning Japanese (Part 2)
April 16, 2009 • Yumiko Hashimoto
>> Part 1 When I cover the Japanese community in Los Angeles, I notice that many third-generation Japanese are active in the Japanese community. This time, too, all the Japanese students in the Japanese language classes at the Japanese Community Center in Venice were third-generation Japanese. Does this mean that in America, which was founded 230 years ago, awareness of Japanese people fades once they reach the fourth generation or higher? Of course, there are many generations of Sansei, from …
Adult Nikkei who start learning Japanese (Part 1)
April 10, 2009 • Yumiko Hashimoto
"This book is good" Kay Garvin (Kaori Kawakami Garvin) wrote the following in large letters on the blackboard. It was all in hiragana. On this day, she was teaching tag questions. "Not good at all" Write the answers on the board. "It means 100% No," Kei explains in English, to which the students respond in Japanese with a request: "Explain it again!" This is the Venice Japanese Community Center of WLA (12448 Braddock Drive, LA CA 90066: tel 310-822-8885). A …
Southern California Japanese free media magazine/paper
Jan. 8, 2009 • Yumiko Hashimoto
Previously, I worked as an editor and writer for a free Japanese magazine in Los Angeles. When I joined the company in the late 90s, the only free Japanese magazines available at Mitsuwa (then Yaohan) and Nijiya Market that still existed were "Lighthouse," "Bridge USA," "US Frontline," "TV Fan," and "Nikkan Sun." Free magazines that have been discontinued include "VOGA," "Gateway USA," and "Marjoram." The serious newspaper "US Japan Business News" was acquired and has now changed its format. Nowadays, …
When Japanese people gain American citizenship - Part 2
Nov. 8, 2008 • Yumiko Hashimoto
>> Part 1“I never really thought of myself as being an American.”These are the words of Yoshiko Yamaguchi, who instructs a “Citizenship Seminar” at the Pioneer Center in Little Tokyo. She opened up the one and only citizenship seminar for Japanese-speakers in LA County, and has led several “Shin-Issei (New First Generation)” to be born. The words of Yamaguchi-san, who has become an American citizen herself, are echoed by the sentiment of most of these “Nikkei Shin-Issei.” Even while becoming …
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