Tokita Tales
This series shares personal, touching stories of Shokichi “Shox” Tokita’s family, which includes their incarceration in Minidoka concentration camp, his family struggles after the War, and his mother who ran a hotel business to support her family after his father’s death.
*Stories in this series were originally published in The North American Post.
Stories from this series
Maryknoll
Jan. 19, 2024 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
Beacon Hill, or Queen Anne hill. Except a knoll is a small hill, probably one that is a lot smaller than those two well-known Seattle landmarks. But whatever that hill is, it’s called Mary? “Mary Knoll?” Well, no. Maryknoll is not the name of a local hill. It has nothing to do with everyday geography, except to note that the priests and nuns of the Maryknoll Catholic Order are in all parts of the world wherever people are. It’s part …
The Seattle Area
Jan. 5, 2024 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
In my eighty-plus years on this planet, I’ve had the opportunity to look at and live in various places including the continental United States, Alaska, the Pacific Islands and Asia. And, you know what? I’ve come to the conclusion that we who live in the Seattle area live in the best place in the world. Let me tell you why. I was born and raised in Seattle. In my early years, I detested the rain and cool weather that prevailed …
Rice Krispies for Christmas
Dec. 22, 2023 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
Did you ever receive a can of Rice Krispies for Christmas? Or, did you ever think of giving a large gallon can of Rice Krispies for Christmas? Well, I did. I received a gallon can of Rice Krispies for Christmas while I was in Vietnam. In a combat zone, of all places! One of the many assignments I received while in the military was to serve a tour of duty in South Vietnam. It was an assignment that many of …
You’re Kidding — A Military Career?
Dec. 8, 2023 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
I can’t believe I did that! A 24-year military career? Me? Someone who purposely scheduled class breaks before and after scheduled (ROTC) classes so that I wouldn’t have to wear the U.S. Air Force ROTC uniform on campus? That’s right! After Garfield High School, while attending the University of Washington where ROTC was mandatory, I would always schedule a class break before and after my ROTC class so that I would not have to wear that military uniform any more than was absolutely necessary. …
Papa Was a Samurai Warrior!
Nov. 7, 2023 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
What’s this about your papa being a samurai warrior? Your dad was a samurai? Whatever gave you that idea? Do you even know what a samurai is? Of course I know what a samurai is! I know that just like in England, they were the “knights of olde” who protected the royalty as well as various lesser heads of state, and performed good deeds among the people. In Japan, the samurai were the ones who protected the hierarchy. In the …
Losing a True and Trusted Friend
Sept. 25, 2023 • Shokichi “Shox” Tokita
After my father died in 1948, my mom used the bus to go from place to place including taking her children when occasions demanded. Fortunately, as she expanded her businesses, they were all located in areas where bus routes were available; she became quite skilled in the fine art of bus travel. However, as her children grew older and became of driving age, several also acquired cars and assisted in her travels as her destinations and their time permitted. This …
