Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1248/

Culture as a child

I grew up on Kapahulu on Oahu which is about half a mile from Waikiki beach. Right down the street from where I lived, maybe about a quarter mile or so, was the old Kapahulu Theater. It’s not there any more, it’s now a fast food place, but every Saturday morning they would show old chanbara movies, the old Toshiro Mifune movies. I remember seeing Satomi Hakkenden, which is my favorite movie of all time. I loved those, so we used to go all the time. And I grew up on those things. And I also grew up going to Japanese festivals. The old obon matsuri, festivals like that in Hawaii. And there is a strong Japanese culture in Hawaii.


Buddhism Hawaii identity Obon religions United States

Date: September 28, 2010

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Lynn Yamasaki, Maria Kwong

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Stan Sakai was born in Kyoto, Japan, and raised in Hawai‘i. Sansei illustrator and writer Stan Sakai is known for his creation of the popular comic book character, “Usagi Yojimbo” in 1984. Since 1987, a series of comic books have detailed the adventures of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in the late 16th and early 17th Century. Sakai is known for his incorporation of actual Japanese history and culture, once winning an award for “skillful weaving of facts and legends into his work.” An exhibition of his work was organized by the Museum in 2011. (August 2012)

Tamio Wakayama
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Wakayama,Tamio

Defining "Nikkei"

(1941-2018) Japanese Canadian photojournalist and activist

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Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

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Robert T. Fujioka
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Grandfather picked up by US Army

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Robert T. Fujioka
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Growing up Japanese in Hawaii

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Kishi Bashi
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Bashi,Kishi

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Kishi Bashi
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Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

American values she aligns with

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Working together in Okinawa using three languages

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Mitsuye Yamada
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Yamada,Mitsuye

Expressing herself through poetry

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

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Juan Alberto Matsumoto
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Matsumoto,Juan Alberto

About Escobar (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan

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Monica Teisher
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Teisher,Monica

Her definition of Nikkei

(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States

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Sabrina Shizue McKenna
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McKenna,Sabrina Shizue

Impact of Coming Out on Her Family

(b. 1957) Jusice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.

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