Frank Kikuchi
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Frank Kikuchi was born in Seattle, Washington on October 21, 1924. He had one sister, Yoshiko, and two half siblings, Chiyo and George. Frank's parents were Issei, his mother from Fukuoka and his father from Iwate. During World War II, Frank and his family were incarcerated at the Manzanar concentration camp. Frank lived on Block 20, with notable figures such as the Miyatake family, Sue Kunitomi and his best friend, Hikoji Takeuchi. After the war, Frank relocated to Boyle Heights. He was married to his wife, Tama, for 56 years until she passed away in 2004. The couple had five children together, and Frank eventually started his own market, "F and H Market." Frank is now a docent at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. When he is not busy giving tours and educating others about the history of Japanese Americans, Frank loves to spend time with his children and go fishing.
This collection tells Frank's story. It is a story that deserves to be told, one of challenges, perseverance, strength and love. To read an article about Frank's story, please see: The Power of a Story: Intern Learns Importance of Personal Histories
Slides in this album |
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Frank Kikuchi's ParentsFrank Kikuchi's parents were Issei, his mother from Fukuoka and his father from Iwate. They came to the United States before the 1920's and were married after they arrived. Frank's father worked as a foreman for the Grand Northern Railway, because he could speak and write in English. He then … |
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Little Frank Kikuchi with Big SisterFrank had one older sister, Yoshiko. This picture was taken in Seattle, Washington in the 1920's. |
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Frank Kikuchi in 1929This is another picture of Frank and Yoshiko in Seattle. This picture was taken in 1929.
Frank Kikuchi in 1929 |
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Frank Kikuchi, Sister Yoshiko and MotherBased on their clothing, this picture was taken the same day as the one in the previous slide. In it are Frank, Yoshiko and Frank's mother. |
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Little Frank Kikuchi and FamilyFrank also had two half-siblings, one of whom is shown here. They were his father's children. George, Frank's half brother, is at the top left hand side of this family portrait. |
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Manzanar ID CardFrank attended Maryknoll School in Los Angeles, and then he went to Cathedral High School. In high school, Frank was the editor of "Chimes," Cathedral's annual. Frank had finished all of his senior year finals, and was simply awaiting graduation in May of 1942. Instead of graduation, Frank and his … |
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At ManzanarFrank lived on Block 20 at the Manzanar concentration camp. The famous photographer, Toyo Miyatake, lived on this block as well, and Frank was good friends with his son, Archie Miyatake. Sue Kunitomi, who established the Pilgrimmage to Manzanar, also lived on Block 20. And, Hikoji Takeuchi, who was shot … |
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At the BeachAfter World War II ended, Frank met Tama, his future wife. Here, Frank relaxes at the beach with Tama, on his left, and her twin sister, on his right. |
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Ralph Lazo and Tama KikuchiRalph Lazo was an American of Mexican-Irish decent. When he found out that his Japanese American friends were being unjustly forced into concentration camps, he volunteered to go to Manzanar to be with them. He was welcomed into the Manzanar environment without a problem. Ralph was a cheerleader and president … |
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Ralph Lazo and Tama Kikuchi 2Ralph Lazo served in the armed forces after graduating from Manzanar High School. He was a classmate of Tama's, and often would attend Maryknoll's church and dances. This photograph shows Ralph at the beach with Tama after he had returned from his service in the army. Frank took the picture. … |
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Frank's Big DayFrank and Tama were married on May 16, 1948 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Los Angeles. Frank was 23 years old. Tama was 21. The couple bought a home in Boyle Heights, where they lived their lives together. |
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Kikuchi Wedding PhotoThis is a picture of the Kikuchi wedding party and guests. Bridesmaids are on the left, groomsmen on the right.
Kikuchi Wedding Photo |
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Frank's HoneymoonFrank's first post-war car was a 1941 Pontiac. Here, he poses in front of it on his honeymoon in 1948. |
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Labor Day, 1953Frank loves to fish. Here, Frank stands proud holding two Calico Bass in Santa Barbara on Labor Day of 1953. Calico Bass is Frank's favorite fish. |
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F and H MarketImmediately after leaving Manzanar, Frank began working for the Farmer John Meat Company. He was the head "Smokehouse Man," and he stayed at that job for seven years. After he was married, Frank began his own grocery store, "F and H Market," in Boyle Heights. He later took over his … |
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Kikuchi Family PhotoFrank and Tama had five children, Tom, David, Joyce, Linda and Susan. All of his children attended Maryknoll School and Catholic high schools. Tom then attended UCLA, David attended California State University, Joyce and Linda went to USC and Susan went to a Business School. Here, the family poses …
Kikuchi Family Photo |
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Frank's MarlinAs was stated earlier, Frank loves to fish. Frank caught this huge Marlin off the coast of Kona in Hawaii. It was Frank's first fishing trip after the war. Here, he poses with the captain of the boat. |
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Frank's AlbacoreFrank catches all types of fish. So far, we've seen his Calico Bass and his Marlin. He caught this Albacore in Morro Bay on the Seaspray. |
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Frank Fancies FishingIt doesn't matter who Frank goes fishing with. As long as he's fishing, he's happy. This picture proves just that. Frank did not know any of these men, and still doesn't! Yet, he went on a fishing trip with all of them, and even posed for a picture!
Frank Kikuchi Fishing |
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Gutting TunaOnce the fish are caught, Frank cleans them out and cooks them. Here, Frank cleans out tuna that he caught, probably that same day!
Frank Kikuchi's Catch |
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Frank's Real Estate LicenseAlong with two of this buddies, Frank took a course and a test to obtain his real estate license. Out of the three of them, Frank was the only one to actually get his license. |
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In AlaskaWhat better place to fish than in Alaska? Frank spent two months in Alaska in 1992, traveling around in two motorhomes. Here, he stands before a totem pole with his friend's daughter. |
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Sitka, AlaskaAlaska is known for its salmon. What better place to find salmon? Frank went to Alaska and caught this King Salmon there. |
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Frank's Computer ClassAs Frank got older, technology improved. So, in order to stay up to speed with the changing times, Frank enrolled himself in a computer class at the adult school in Boyle Heights. This is a picture of him with his classmates. |
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Frank Visits ManzanarA while back, Frank's grandson had to write a term-paper about Japanese Americans. So, Frank would bring him to the Japanese American National Museum's Hirasaki National Resource Center. While his grandson studied, Frank would roam the museum's exhibitions and halls. He was eventually approached and asked to become a volunteer …
Frank Visits Manzanar |
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At Block 20It has now been over 60 years since the close of Manzanar concentration camp. A monument has been established, as has a Manzanar Pilgrimmage. Frank decided to go back to visit this barren place with two other docents of the Japanese American National Museum. Here, Frank stands at the sign … |
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Manzanar VisitEven though most of the buildings are gone, Frank still remembers what it felt like and what it meant to be incarcerated at Manzanar. You can still feel the wind, see the barren land, dust and snow capped Sierras. |
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Frank and Tama, 50 YearsIn 1998, Frank and Tama celebrated their golden anniversary, 50 years together! Their three daughters, Joyce, Linda and Susan threw them a party in Orange County and invited all of their friends and family. |
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Kikuchi Family Picture, 1998As the Kikuchi children graduated from college, they all started working, moved to different places and became their own people. Tom, UCLA graduate, now has a custom model supply store. David has two children. Joyce, USC graduate, is a dental hygenist. She also teaches at USC and PCC. Linda has … |
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Maryknoll Class Reunion, 2007Frank is still going strong at the Japanese American National Museum. He gives wonderful tours and presentations on the Japanese American experience. This picture is of Frank's Maryknoll class reunion in 2007, and features some of his classmates that are still in the area. It's been about 65 years since … |
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