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Mie Gakure: Discovering Nikkei Gardeners and their Communities

Dexter & Frank Nishiyama; gardeners; Pasadena & Orange County (Landscaping America Opening: Dexter Nishiyama)


Published: Sept. 11, 2007 Modified: Feb. 11, 2025

Dexter Nishiyama thanks his father Frank for introducing him to gardening, a hobby and career that led him to become the Orange County Gardener's Association's youngest president.

To read the transcripts, please view the original item.
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Interviewee: Dexter Nishiyama

Relationship to Nikkei gardeners: He and his father, Frank Nishyama, are/were both gardeners

Date: July 17, 2007

Location: Japanese American National Museum

Brief Summary: Dexter thanks his father for introducing him to gardening, a hobby and career that led him to become the Orange County Gardener's Association's youngest president.

Transcription
My name is Dexter Nishiyama, and I was the Orange County Gardener's Association's youngest president back in 1985. I served two years, and my father was a gardener. His name was Frank, and he was with Crown City Gardeners for the longest time. I remember the picnics and working with him, and just wanted to thank him for stirring me to be a gardener, because I didn't have anything else to do. [laughs] So, thanks dad.

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This interview was conducted as part of the Opening Day activities for the exhibition Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden.


Crown City Gardeners Association Dexter Nishiyama Frank Nishiyama gardeners gardening interviews Japanese American National Museum Japanese American National Museum (organization) Landscaping America (exhibition) Orange County Gardener's Association

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