How did you become interested in studying the Japanese residents of Vashon Island?

My grandmother grew up on Vashon Island, and my grandparents had a farm there, so I became interested in learning about the history of the Japanese residents. I knew my grandparents, my aunt, and mother were imprisoned at Tule Lake Segregation Center and HeartMountain “Relocation Center,” but I didn’t know much else about what happened to them. I researched their lives before, during, and after their imprisonment in concentration camps and was amazed by the range of their accomplishments and the hardships they encountered. I addressed this subject in my piece “Recollections of My Grandparents”. As a result, I became interested in the stories of the other Japanese residents on Vashon. I’ve been able to connect with a few Vashon Japanese descendants in order to share my discoveries and learn more about their families.

What do you like most about Discover Nikkei?

In my opinion, Discover Nikkei’s most notable feature is its exceptional platform for individuals to share their personal experiences about their families and other Japanese cultural and historical events. I have conducted research on various subjects, including the history of the Mukai Farm & Garden, the hardships and resilience of Japanese residents on Vashon Island, Washington, during World War II, the story of my grandparents, and the alleged domestic abuse and divorce of a Japanese immigrant woman. Discover Nikkei has already published some of these topics, and more are on the horizon. Discover Nikkei is a distinctive platform that enables the compilation and appreciation of narratives from more than a thousand global authors that pertain to our Japanese heritage.