Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/761/

The most memorable day of his life (Japanese)

(Japanese) Probably the day I went to pick my wife up when she came to Buenos Aires... well they have to come through Montevideo--that’s how they all get here. They come to Santos, and a lot of people get off in Brazil. My wife is from Heibara, and Heibara is connected to Taira.

I*: So your wife was from the neighboring district?

Yes.

I: When your wife came off of the boat, what kind of clothes were you dressed in to welcome her?

Just regular ones. Of course, I worked for a laundry company so we had proper clothing... When I was about to go pick her up, I remember my father asking me “Are you going to wear that to pick her up?” (laughs) I thought about wearing them (gloves) since I was going to pick her up, but I decided to leave them [at home] I still have those gloves, actually.

* ”I” indicates an interviewer.


Argentina families

Date: November 28, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Ryoko Hokama was born in November 30th, 1917 in Heira of Ōsato Village, Okinawa. He studied at the former Dai-Ichi (First) Junior High School. Ran a laundry service in Rosario City, Santa Fe, and a flower nursery in Moreno City of the Pacheco district in Buenos Aires. Currently he lives in Caseros with his son’s family, who owns a flower shop. (November 28, 2006)

Ariyoshi,George

Spending time with children

(b.1926) Democratic politician and three-term Governor of Hawai'i

Ariyoshi,Jean Hayashi

Getting married

Former First Lady of Hawai'i

Ariyoshi,Jean Hayashi

Possibility of being adopted by aunt

Former First Lady of Hawai'i

Funai,Kazuo

First work in America (Japanese)

(1900-2005) Issei businessman

Hirabayashi,James

Little interaction with parents

(1926 - 2012) Scholar and professor of anthropology. Leader in the establishment of ethnic studies as an academic discipline

Hirabayashi,James

Gordon's parents' experience in prison

(1926 - 2012) Scholar and professor of anthropology. Leader in the establishment of ethnic studies as an academic discipline

Kawakami,Barbara

Going back to Hawaii

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Kawakami,Barbara

Clothes of plantation workers

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Kawakami,Barbara

Surviving after father's death

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Kawakami,Barbara

Washing for Filipino bachelors

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Kawakami,Barbara

Brother leaves for war, survival

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Kawakami,Barbara

Doing chores

An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.

Okasaki,Robert (Bob) Kiyoshi

Wife's family in Japan

(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.

Yamano,Jane Aiko

New Year's food

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Yokoyama,Wayne Shigeto

Food growing up

(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.