Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/751/

The importance of learning cultural diversity (Spanish)

(Spanish) I am interested generally in [getting] acquainted [with this] diversity [of cultures]. It seems to me that it is fundamental to know other, distinct things from your own; if you like the rérmino, in order to be able to grow as a person, to be able to understand more things. Therefore, precisely [I am a] product of a mix my own existence; because part of my father is Quechua, and of my mother is all Japanese. To be really mixed gives me the possibility of knowing two absolutely distinct cultures. What I like about [being a product of two distinct cultures], is that it opens the mind and you realize that the reality in which you live is not the only possible reality and that there are thousands [of] diverse ways of seeing things and of thinking of things. It seems to me that [this] is fundamental. By choosing your own way of seeing things, or it appears that some things are good or are not good…the important thing is, and the richness of the experience at any rate is to realize that [all] diversity exists.


culture ethnicity group identity identity racially mixed people

Date: July 12, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Paula Hoyos Hattori is a sansei born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a student of letters and dance. Her father is a descendant of Argentine Indians, while her mother is a Nisei, a daughter of Japanese parents. Paula’s particular profile (half Argentine, half Japanese) provides a distinctive vision because of the fusion of these two cultures. (July 12, 2006)

Jean Hamako Schneider
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Masao-san (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Jean Hamako Schneider
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Conflicted about immigrating to America (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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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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Toshiaki Toyoshima
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Toyoshima,Toshiaki

Difficulty of spreading authentic sushi (Japanese)

(b. 1949) Sushi chef. Owner of Sushi Gen restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

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Toshiaki Toyoshima
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Toyoshima,Toshiaki

Teaching how to eat sushi (Japanese)

(b. 1949) Sushi chef. Owner of Sushi Gen restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

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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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