Nikkei Images

A Publication of the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre ISSN#1203-9017 Spring 2007, Vol. 12, No. 1

Thomas Kunito Shoyama: My Mentor, My Friend by Dr. Midge Ayukawa Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven the camps, when the Canadian gov- times, get up eight” [Nana-korobi ernment decided to accept nisei in the ya-oki] . Could this have been his life armed forces in 1945, Tom enlisted motto that explains his persistence and trained at boot camp in Brant- and his determination? ford, eventually ending up at S20, the When I was living in Lemon Canadian Army Japanese Language Creek and attending school, the School. Although Tom studied hard, principal was Irene Uchida (later, he was disadvantaged in not having a world-renowned geneticist), who any Japanese language training in his knew Tom well from UBC and Van- youth. Later, after we were dispersed couver NEW CANADIAN days. She east of the Rockies and Japan, and often talked about ‘Mr. Shoyama’ Tom was discharged, he went on and sent copies of the school paper, with his life. The CCF government in LEMON CREEK SCHOLASTIC, Saskatchewan under Tommy Doug- to him. I have a treasured copy of las hired him and Tom’s genius in the April 1944 edition in which Tom economics and dealing with person- wrote a page and a half letter full of nel was finally recognized. He was wise advice to the young. The NC instrumental in bringing medicare to Tom Shoyama on his 88th birthday. was our one and only connection Saskatchewan. (At Tom’s 80th birth- September 24, 2004. (M.Ayukawa with the rest of the Japanese Cana- day celebration, one of the men who photo, 2004) dian community; to the rest of the had worked closely with Tom at that I have vague memories of my world. The NC was the gateway to time told me that when the doctors childhood in Vancouver in the 30s world events and Tom was our voice went on strike and all seemed lost, when the name Shoyama would of wisdom. Tom met with them and the doctors come up in conversations among the Later, while we languished in Continued on page 2 issei visitors at my home. Of course Contents this occurred more often after De- Thomas Kunito Shoyama ...... 1 cember 7th, 1941. He was the leader, National Treasure Lost, Nikkei Community Loses Inspirational Leader ..5 the ‘cool head,’ who, as editor of Message to the Students ...... 5 the NEW CANADIAN urged nisei Why I Am Buying Victory Bonds ...... 6 to remain calm and not to resort to So This Was Our Domination ...... 6 lawless behaviour. Once, when I ac- The Paradox of the Vancouver Riot of 1907 ...... 7 companied a Hiroshima newspaper Powell Street Riot ...... 10 Perspectives on the 1907 Riots ...... 12 reporter who interviewed Tom, in Kozo Kitagawa and the Omiya Shoten and Tad’s Sporting Goods ...... 15 reply to a question about the turmoil Hapa Animator a Voice for the Future ...... 19 following the bombing of Pearl Har- Japanese Canadian National Museum: Winter 2006 Highlights ...... 20 bor, Tom burst out, “Remember, I Nitobe Memorial Garden ...... 21 was only 25 years old!” Yes, that was February 2007 Nikkei Place Update ...... 22 quite a responsibility he bore when Kenzo Mori ...... 23 he had barely reached adulthood! He バンクーバー暴動 ...... 23 surprised me one day by quoting a 1 Announcements All Events at NNMHC

Uprooted: A Journey of Japanese Cana- dian Fishing Families. Jan. - Apr. 2007

Nikkei Place Volunteer Appreciation Event. Sunday, Apr. 1, 2007. 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Noh Mask Exhibition. Thu., Apr. 12 - Sat., Apr. 14, 2007

Spring Food and Plant Bazaar. Sun., Apr. 28, 2007. 1:00 -3:00 PM

Mini Japan Expo. Wed., May 9 - Fri., May 11, 2007

Tom Shoyama on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Pacific and Asian Studies, University of Victoria, April 1, 1987. (M. Ayukawa photo, 1987) agreed to return to work. How it and Kay Shimizu decided that since had been accomplished, he did not the centennial celebration of the Nikkei Images is published by know!) After Tommy Douglas be- first Japanese immigrant was to the National Nikkei Museum came leader of the New Democratic take place across Canada in 1977, and Heritage Centre Party, “Shoyama served as roving the Ottawa group should resurrect Editorial Committee: theoretician, baggage handler, and the Japanese Canadian organization Stanley Fukawa, Jim Hasegawa, press aide. When Douglas got sick that had been active in the 50s and Frank Kamiya, Christine Kondo, on the road, Shoyama supplied the 60s. To attract a good crowd, Kunio Ezdard Teubert, Mitsuo Yesaki, chicken soup.” (Thomas H. McLeod had asked Shoyama to speak. At that Carl Yokota and Ian McLeod, Tommy Douglas. time, Tom was Deputy Minister of The Road to Jerusalem) During that Finance. Kunio was to introduce his Subscription to Nikkei Images period we often caught glimpses of good friend. During the turmoil of is free with your yearly Shoyama in the late-night newscasts the months following the bombing membership to NNMHCS: as he barnstormed with Douglas of Pearl Harbor, they had worked across Canada during the federal closely together and their close Family $25 Individual $20 election. friendship had continued. Senior/Student $15 Shoyama and other Saskatch- The organizers of the meeting Senior Couple $20 ewan public servants later streamed decided that a woman should thank Non-profit Association $50 into Ottawa and were nicknamed ‘the the speaker (gender equality was Corporate $100 Saskatchewan Mafia.’ They were being loudly touted at that time) so I $1 per copy for non-members instrumental in formulating and car- was dragged out of my quiet home- rying out Pierre Trudeau’s policies. making role to do so - to the utter NIKKEI PLACE Shoyama soon rose to the pinnacle of consternation of my husband! Later 6688 Southoaks Crescent, the Public Service and in recognition after I had the chance to have a brief Burnaby, B.C., V5E 4M7 received many accolades, the latest chat with Tom, I was struck by his Canada tel: (604) 777-7000 one will be in Ottawa in February genuine interest in ME! (That was fax: (604) 777-7001 when a board room in the Depart- a special aspect of his personality!) [email protected] ment of Finance will be named the He introduced me to his daughter www.jcnm.ca Shoyama Room. Kiyomi who in turn chatted with my www.nikkeiimages.com It was in late spring of 1975 daughter Hannah. Then I heard Han- that I met my idol. The Japanese nah screech, “Ohhhh, YOU got the Canadians in Ottawa, led by Kunio job that I wanted!” Both Kiyomi and

2 Hannah had applied for a summer him on the NEW CANADIAN, in the ter Kiyomi. I had rounded up Tom job working in a genetics lab at the public services of Saskatchewan and to speak on the panel, “Second Ca- University of Toronto. Even I had no Canada, and later his many students reers” at the NAJC Calgary Seniors’ illusions that Kiyomi, whose chem- at the University of Victoria. Conference. When I had asked Tom istry laboratory reports I had marked Tom was on my advisory com- earlier if he would participate in it, he every week for Carleton University mittee when I went on with my replied, “What is my second career?” deserved the position! graduate studies. I am certain that and I had suggested that it was in his recommendation carried much academia as a professor. After a few Retirement and a New Career weight in my application for a Social moments he replied, “Okay, I will. One cold day in early 1980, my Studies and Humanities Research But only because YOU asked me!” husband returned from an indoor Council Fellowship for my PhD stud- But a few weeks before the confer- golf-range (only in Ottawa!) and told ies. I believe I might still be dawdling ence, Tom called from Toronto and me that Tom Shoyama had been hit- away the years doing my research said, “Midge, I am going to have to ting some balls too. Tom had told my (the most enjoyable part of the work) let you down.” Those were his exact husband that he had retired and was if it had not been Tom who said to me words - HE apologized to me! His considering some offers as a visiting one day, “When are you going to fin- daughter had been diagnosed with professor from a few universities. ish - I can’t retire until you get your pancreatic cancer. My irreverent husband joked, “WHO degree.” He had stopped lecturing by Tom devoted himself to Kiyomi is going to listen to you?” to which then but felt he had to stay on until in the months that followed. They Tom had replied, “Politicians might he completed his obligations. Thus, consulted experts in Canada and the not, but students will. They’re a cap- I finally pushed myself and wrote it United States. When the diagnosis tive audience - they HAVE to!” And up. At the defence, when a historian was poor, the two decided to live the so, several years later I also joined from an Ontario university asked remaining time to the fullest. They the ranks of this “captive audience” why I had used as my main sources traveled to Costa Rica (where Tom when I started studying at the Uni- two books that I had criticized for not almost drowned on a rafting trip) and versity of Victoria. Tom taught in the being entirely reliable, to the conster- to Japan. In Japan, with the help of School of Public Administration and nation of everyone, Tom jumped in a former student of Tom’s who was the Department of Pacific and Asian and answered. Unflappable Tom’s at the Canadian Embassy, they went Studies. I was determined to take fatherly instinct must have been to the Shoyama roots in Kumamoto. at least one course from Tom. The triggered! Kiyomi also enjoyed her stay in Uji formal title of the course escapes me and Kyoto, the sites of one of her but it was on South East Asia, mainly Kiyomi favourite books, The Tale of Genji. New Zealand and Australia. I never Tom’s greatest loss was his be- Whenever Kiyomi visited Tom, worked so hard in my whole student loved, talented and beautiful daugh- Continued on page 4 life! There was a certain magic about Tom. He always arrived with his HUGE briefcase, which resembled a giant doctor’s bag and out of it he pulled out pages and pages of mate- rial and at least a dozen books. The students sat quietly with their mouths agape. He had a compelling way that inspired all to do their best. I saw him smilingly hand back to a student an essay which he glanced through and said, “Is this your final effort?” She sheepishly took it back. I felt I had something to prove, that I had to put my best foot forward and excel even if it exhausted me. It was nothing he said, just that he seemed to expect it. He must have had the same effect on Tom Shoyama, Kiyomi Shoyama and Kay Shimizu. (M. Ayukawa photo, everyone - those who worked with 1987) 3 he called me and said, “Kiyomi is in drive back to Sooke at that late hour, degree in history in 1989, Tom in- town,” and I would make sushi and especially when I had an early morn- vited several friends to a Victoria take it to her or we would go out for ing lecture the next day. He insisted Japanese restaurant. He had the lunch. We talked, and talked, and that I stay overnight, and we made cook prepare a special dinner with talked. She was very concerned about up a bed in the den, and he handed many unique dishes. Later the cook her father after her demise. When me a fresh pair of his pajamas and a came out to ask if Shoyama-san ap- she passed away a year after her toothbrush set. The following morn- proved! diagnosis, Tom suffered a loss that I ing I drove him to the campus since There are many memories such felt never left him. Surrounded by her Irene was borrowing his car for the as an unforgettable day at the Powell beautiful paintings he was reminded day. He carefully guided me down Street Festival with Tom. People of her constantly. He received letters side streets, cautioning me to keep were so pleased to see him. Many from his Japanese relatives and asked within the speed limit. We had some stopped and chatted with him. Tom me to translate them. I suggested great dinner parties when I lived in was pleased to return to the place others whose Japanese language my house in Sooke. Once, we tried where he had many memories of skills were better than mine, but he to play Hanafuda, a Japanese card his youth I am sure. Tom looked so wanted me to do it. It was most dif- game. We carefully read the instruc- happy when I dropped him off at his ficult to translate word by word the tions but were still very confused. home that night. But as he waved expressions of condolence that are Tommy in his quiet way spoke up good-night he suddenly came up to customarily used in Japanese - such and said, “I think the game of gaji the car and told me that one headlight as “I wonder if there was something we played in Kaslo was simpler,” and was not working! He looked so con- else that could have been done,--- he showed us. We spent a hilarious cerned because I had an hour-long etc.” evening slamming down the cards drive back to Sooke. My youngest daughter, Carla, on the table the way he showed us. Which reminds me of his pen- worked for a time as designer/illus- We all agreed we were going to do it chant for following the law precisely! trator for the National Capital Com- again but alas, we never did! If my speedometer crept up even mission in Ottawa where Kiyomi There was another occasion. A a unit or two past 30 in a school had done some brilliant work and whole weekend when Tom, Danny, zone, he told me to slow down! He was well remembered. On one of her and a visiting professor and I gorged was the only visitor to my condo in visits to Victoria, I introduced her and ourselves on sushi (his favourite was Victoria who refused to make a left her family to Tom so Carla could tell inari) and other Japanese dishes, and hand turn on a double line. No mat- him how Kiyomi’s work was fondly played Trivial Pursuit until the wee ter how many times I told him that it remembered at the NCC. Kiyomi had hours. My children were all away was permitted in our case, he would once illustrated a calendar put out by at university so each person had a drive down to the end of the street so the weather services in which she had bedroom. The following morning, he could make a right turn! a cute imaginary animal throughout. a bleary-eyed Tommy quietly said, There are so many memories This creature was also used to ad- “Your dog must have been disturbed of this great man and dear friend vertise Ottawa’s “Winterlude” on the by something, he barked a lot.” I had who constantly watched over me Rideau Canal. forgotten to tell Tom that he should to keep me on the straight and nar- close the windows because a family row! In the last six years or so as Tom, the Social Animal of rabbits that had made a home un- his health and memory failed, it was I recall dinner parties at Tom- der my shed always bothered the dog! difficult to watch. But I occasionally my’s home, especially when the After breakfast, Tom walked around visited him with his favourite inari student, Danny Mah, lived with my badly neglected garden with me. and at times the old Tommy would him. (See February VANCOUVER He started to point out where I should emerge and lighten my soul. I will BULLETIN) Once, when Dr. Irene prune the roses. I said, “Hold it, I’ll miss him, as will so many others Uchida was visiting Tom, Danny go get the pruning shears.” I handed who had the privilege of knowing handed me a note from Tommy in it to Tom and the wheelbarrow to him. He was a very special person the class both of us were taking from Danny. The following spring, the who accomplished so much with Tommy. It was an invitation to din- roses were beautiful and I marvelled his extraordinary intellect, charm, ner that evening. As we ate, laughed at Tom’s expertise. (His garden in and kind consideration of others. He and talked, the hour became very Victoria has been legendary!) also showed a stolid determination: late. Tom was concerned about my When I received my Master’s Nana-korobi-ya-oki. ❁

4 National Treasure Lost, Nikkei Community Loses Inspirational Leader by Robert Banno The Japanese Canadian commu- important to do everything we could The NNM&HC is very honoured nity and the National Nikkei Museum to sustain morale. We had to tell that Tom served as an Honorary and Heritage Centre have lost a dear people: “Look, in spite of all these Advisor to the Society. He was not friend and supporter. Tom Shoyama terrible things that have happened to only an ‘honorary’ advisor but was passed away December 22, 2006 in you, stand on your own feet. Look also a true advisor, freely giving of Victoria, BC at the age of 90. within yourself to your own strength wise counsel to the Society. With his passing, Canada has and self-respect and your own sense The National Nikkei Heritage lost a national treasure. Referred to of dignity.” Centre was very important to Tom as a ‘nation-builder’, Tom was a chief Even to the Nikkei, it is not well- because it symbolized the contribu- architect of our medicare system and known that Tom was instrumental in tion of Japanese Canadians to Canada served three prime ministers as Cana- the fund-raising to build the National and reflected Tom’s belief that we are da’s Deputy Minister of Finance. Nikkei Heritage Centre. Tom’s ster- an important part of Canadian society But to the Nikkei, Tom is per- ling reputation and credibility with and that educating Canadians about haps best known as the publisher and the Federal government were critical our history is essential. Referring editor from 1939 to 1945 of the NEW in obtaining the $1,000,000 Federal- to the name of the National Nikkei CANADIAN newspaper, described Provincial Infrastructure Grant. This Heritage Centre, he said, “I like to as a ‘lifeline’ for Japanese Canadi- grant came at a make-or-break time spell it out in full because I enjoy the ans in internment camps. From his in the fund-raising for the Centre and full sound of it with all its resonance editorial position, he inspired the obtaining it with Tom’s help enabled and power.” community to persevere during its the balance of the fund-raising to We shall miss him very much. darkest years. “We had a sense of succeed and made it possible for the ❁ mission in the sense that it was very Centre to be built. Thomas Kunito Shoyama The following three articles were written by Thomas Shoyama. These articles convey his concerns for educa- tion, tolerance and the demands of democracy, as well as his wry humour. Message to the Students (LEMON CREEK SCHOLASTIC, April 1944, Vol. 2, No. 3) Your enterprising Editor Kimura Unlike older folks, young peo- well you have fitted once more into turned up in my mail with his broad ple like yourselves are usually too the serious business of learning and shoulders a couple weeks ago, with a busy with today and tomorrow to adjusted yourselves to necessary dis- polite but very firm suggestion that I be always looking at yesterday. But cipline. At the same time you have contribute a few lines to the anniver- anniversaries are useful to us all, organized your student government, sary edition of the LEMON CREEK because with their help we can stop set up active clubs and projects with SCHOLASTIC. Now usually by the to measure what we have done each many differing interests, developed time we’ve tucked away the 15,000 year. If we have accomplished a an all-important sports program and words that go into the weekly issue of good deal, that thought will make made new and lasting friendships. our paper, I’m ready to fold away my us happy; if we have not, then we Each successive issue of the SCHO- typewriter for the week, just as you should resolve to do better in the LASTIC shows the outsider how all no doubt are ready to fold up your coming year. these things have grown and devel- books every Friday PM. But every I have no doubt that this anni- oped into that vital, if ‘hard-to-put- month the SCHOLASTIC has been versary issue of the SCHOLASTIC your-finger-on’ school spirit, which turning up here in Kaslo and your will be able to ‘point with pride’ to a makes all the difference between an correspondents have been sending splendid record set by the school in ordinary and a really good school. in news items for our columns, so its one year of study, work and play. And, by the way, I should like to put that I admit to a special interest in On an early April day a year ago, the in a word of ‘professional’ praise to Lemon Creek School. Not only that 400-odd of you turned up for the first the SCHOLASTIC itself. Frankly, but two of our men here, you know, day, uncertain but very curious about if we were awarding a shield for the are veterans of Sour Creek Flats, and your new building, your teachers, best school newspaper, I think the they insist I get busy for the sake of your studies and classmates. Now Lemon Creek Publication might well their old home town. you can reflect a moment on how Continued on page 6 5 deserve that recognition. what you have built, and this should Gilead, if he goes to the temple or the It is idle, though to point to make you confident that you can go church. In your activities, those who a past record just for the sake of a on to bigger jobs all through life and are able to do things have the oppor- pat on the back. We study history do them too. Men who are tested tunity and the responsibility of lead- to learn lessons for today. So, too, by difficulties are made stronger by ership, but everyone, no matter how we look back on your own record to them to do bigger things. insignificant, has the right to express learn something about ourselves. The second thing you might his own opinion. Such a system can I think there are two things realize is important too. In these work, as you may have learned, only which all of you students might days I hear many among us, both if everyone has a mutual respect for realize. young and old, scoff at the thing the views and delights of everyone First, that your own ability can we call ‘Democracy’. They do so else, and is willing to forget his own overcome many difficulties if you are because in their twisted minds they wishes to cooperate for the good of doing something worthwhile. A year do not understand Democracy—be- the whole school. ago you and your teachers came to- cause they think they have never I hope you will realize both gether to attend not just a school that experienced it. But you—in your those things on your first anniversary. would run along in the same way it daily school life—have before you a Be confident of yourself and tolerant had for years before. No! You had to working model of what we mean by of others. If you are, it will be easy to create a new institution out of noth- Democracy. In your school, every forecast even brighter anniversaries ing but raw materials. And you had student is entitled to equal treatment, for you, not only while you are still to face many obstacles in doing so. no matter if he is big or small, rich students, but also when you grow up Now you have reason to be proud of or poor, if he lives on Dogwood or to manhood and womanhood. ❁ Why I Am Buying Victory Bonds (NEW CANADIAN, October 30, 1943) In the midst of Canada’s fifth and from the outset we have been barred society biggest Victory Loan campaign, the from enl isting in the forces. What Those of us who spring from average Canadian citizen can give me sanctity is left of a well-remembered an ‘international’ background, many reasons for purchasing Victory home? Do we stand on free and equal and to whom the meaning of democ- Bonds. They are blazoned at him footing with other citizens, or even racy has been brought home chiefly at every turn. To Speed the Victory, enemy aliens in the land? Will our through the denial of it, should real- To Bring Johnny Home Again. To investments mean anything to us ize more vividly than anyone else safeguard the sanctity of a Loved if we are to be driven and harried how great and overpowering is Home. To Preserve Rights of from point to point, or even from the need to work toward the re- Freedom, Equality and Justice. the country? alization of such a vision. To Buy All the Good Things That These are the questions which And today, my conviction is that Peace Will Bring. rise to the mind. And the answer to victory for the cause of the United But most of us who were them is therefore of supreme im- Nations, not overlooking for a born in Canada of Japanese parent- porta nce. I think it lies in their own moment its international or lo- age, perhaps, cannot voice these insignificance, and in the crux of cal inconsistencies. (such as same reasons with unequivocal enthu- the whole international conflict. It is are evident in our questions) , siasm. Especially is this true of those the one which prompts me, in spite offers by far the better hope that who have been uprooted from homes of the questions, to do what I can we may progress slowly along a and subjected to the full weight of the in the Fifth Victory loan. path leading upward to the vision many restrictive decrees, regardless Briefly it comes to this. of peace, dignity and freedom for all, of our complete innocence in the Through education and experience rather than one leading downward matter. we have come to value a vision of to the violence, oppression and No ‘Johnny’ is over there to social and economic democracy tyranny of a political dictator or a come marching home to us, for as the ultimate hope of human ‘master race.’ ❁ So This Was Our Domination (NEW CANADIAN, December 4, 1943) Writing editorially upon the the return of Japanese Canadians to declaration from the SUN that ‘fish- Japanese question, the TORONTO their former homes. Chief of these, ing and truck-farming … and other GLOBE AND MAIL cites certain apart from those primitively ignorant callings in which they specialized ‘impressive arguments’ marshalled catchwords of ‘untrustworthiness’ are getting along without them, just by the VANCOUVER SUN against and ‘trouble-makers,’ seems to be a as well as the average of industries 6 in wartime.’ campaign, to the never-ending strain a corner on small retail stores, and The newspaper which is quoted of ‘Jap infiltration and domination’ had controlling interests in lumber as a reliable authority, could not have of British Columbia’s industries. So production. chosen a better declaration to prove aggressive and efficient was our little Yet today, after the removal of itself just the opposite. Before it minority of 25,000 men, women and all these ‘dominant’ people, these became popular to make sensational children that by some exotic Oriental industries and occupations all ‘get charges of sabotage and disloy- magic we reputedly dominated and along as well as the average!’ What alty and to report the lurid details controlled million-dollar industries sort of economic penetration or of atrocities, the SUN conducted its in fishing and truck-farming, had domination was this anyway? ❁ circulation-building, anti-Japanese The Paradox of the Vancouver Riot of 1907 by Dr. Patricia Roy In Vancouver, the evening of 2,324 including 110 from Hawaii Korean Exclusion League in San Saturday, September 7, 1907 was who landed on one day. In addition, Francisco, was formed in Vancouver unusually hot and humid. Before several thousand Chinese and almost on the initiative of the Vancouver the night was over, Vancouver was 600 ‘East Indians’ came in the first Trades and Labour Council but soon known around the world. The weath- half of 1907. Many of these people, included prominent Liberal and Con- er was not the news rather it was a riot of course, were en route to the United servative politicians. Yet, despite during which a mob of white men and States or were returning from visits to long-standing antipathy to Asians boys attacked Chinatown and then their homelands. Yet, white British in British Columbia, the League did moved to nearby ‘Little Yokohama’ Columbians believed that all Asians not get a lot of public support. As a where it repeated the process until the were new immigrants who were des- publicity measure it organized a pa- Japanese residents and the city police tined to stay in the province where rade with a brass band and an effigy rebuffed it. The publicity embar- they would ultimately challenge the of James Dunsmuir whose collieries rassed the local government, created supposed ‘superiority’ of the white were major employers of Asians. As a diplomatic problem, and changed ‘race.’ Canada’s youthful minister lieutenant-governor, Dunsmuir had the pattern of Japanese immigration of labour, William Lyon Mackenzie recently reserved the latest of the to Canada. King, who investigated the riot, well provincial legislature’s attempts to Like their counterparts on the summarized the long-term causes of regulate Asian immigration. Among American west coast, white British what he described as a “very gener- the marchers were representatives of Columbians had a long-standing ally strongly anti-Japanese” belief: over fifty labour organizations carry- aversion to immigrants from Asia. I believe it is no longer merely ing individual flags saying “A White Their intertwined and sometimes a labour, but has become a race Canada for us” or banners such as quite irrational reasons included ra- agitation. In the first place, the “Stand for a White Canada.” The cial prejudice, concern about ‘unfair’ people have become alarmed lest parade culminated with a rally in economic competition from people by a continuance of the augmenta- the auditorium of Vancouver’s City who seemed willing to accept low tion of the Japanese population in Hall on Westminster Ave. (now Main wages and poor working and living the Province by such large numbers Street) next door to the Carnegie Li- conditions, and a fear of being over- as have come in during the pres- brary. Outside City Hall, the paraders whelmed by the ‘teeming millions’ ent year, the proportion of these burned the effigy of Dunsmuir. of Asia. Indeed, the day before people to the white population will Among the speakers at City the riot the VANCOUVER DAILY become preponderatingly great, Hall were visiting Americans, rep- PROVINCE in a story headed, “More while the fact that the Japanese resentatives of both the Conservative Japanese coming on INDIANA;” re- have proven themselves the equal and Liberal parties, and two clergy- ported that approximately 300 ‘coo- of the white man in so many ways men including Rev. G.H. Wilson, the lies’ would be its second such load.1 has caused people of all classes to father of Halford Wilson (the leading The next day, under the heading “Ori- fear their competition.3 Japanophobe in Vancouver in the late ental Hordes on MONTEAGLE,” the Although the Asiatic Exclusion 1930s and early 1940s). Only a small PROVINCE claimed that over 2,000 League did not condone violence, portion of the crowd – estimated to be Chinese ‘coolies’ had left Yokohama the parade and rally that it sponsored as large as 30,000 -- could get into the on that Canadian Pacific Steamship.2 precipitated the riot. This League, auditorium so the speakers repeated Between January and June 1907, modelled on a similar organiza- their speeches on the City Hall steps. 3,247 Japanese arrived and in July, tion that began as the Japanese and Continued on page 8 7 Exactly what happened next is not no one was seriously injured. The per one the white mob ran rampant clear but before the speeches ended property damage, however, was high. through Chinatown; in the lower, the the crowd turned into a mob that Although two-dozen Caucasians Japanese, shouting “Banzai!” chased moved towards Chinatown. There, and three Japanese were ultimately the invaders away. More worrisome men and boys threw bricks and stones charged with offences relating to to Canadians, and especially to Brit- into shop windows. Then, a PROV- the riot, most cases were dismissed, ish Columbians who were then vigor- INCE journalist observed, “Recog- mainly for lack of evidence. In the ously seeking British immigrants and nizing the fact that the fight of the end, five rioters received sentences investment were the comments in the labouring classes in this instance is of one to six months. British press. THE TIMES of Lon- directed against The Worm That Turned (VANCOUVER DAILY PROVINCE, September 13, 1907) don attributed the Japanese, the problem to the mob soon “the belief that left the Chi- the whites are nese quarter in the presence and headed in of a civilization the direction more efficient of Japtown.” than their own.” Although the In Japan, THE police rushed JIJI SHIMPO to the area, called it a “most drew clubs, deplorable dem- and called for o n s t r a t i o n , ” reinforcements, while THE HO- they were “ut- CHI described terly” unable the humiliation to cope as “the According to reports the Vancouver mob went through the Chinese quarter like this. caused by the crash of broken damage as be- glass and the ing “beyond shouts of be- words.” In sieged Japanese contrast to its rent the air” as response to the the mob arrived San Francisco on Powell St.4 school crisis Residents a year earlier, of Powell St. however, the had anticipated Japanese public trouble. The remained calm.5 previous after- Although Japa- noon a number nese diplomats of Japanese had h a d w a r n e d arrived in the Then returned through the Japanese quarter like this. of rising anti- city to see the parade. After the mob News of the riot quickly spread Japanese sentiment in British Co- arrived, the PROVINCE reported: around the world. The American lumbia, to their government the riot “Hundreds of the little brown men press took note. In one cartoon, appeared as “a thunderbolt from a rushed the attacking force, their most the DETROIT JOURNAL showed clear sky.”6 effective weapons being knives and Siamese twins, conjoined at the Even before it received the bottles, the latter being broken off at back, looking at similar accounts of press comments, the Canadian gov- the neck, which was held in the hands “Jap Riots.” One was headed “San ernment, like the local administra- of the Jap fighters” who “made the Francisco,” the other, “Vancouver.” tion, was seriously embarrassed by air ring with Banzai.” Many men, In a cartoon later reprinted in the this break down in law and order both Japanese and Caucasian suf- PROVINCE, a Tacoma paper had a especially since it affected an ally and fered cuts and bruises but fortunately cartoon with two panels. In the up- its citizens. Prime Minister Wilfrid

8 Laurier immediately apologized to and Navigation to restrict emigration. what similar agreement with the Japan through the British Ambas- Laurier replied that Canada ratified United States. Indeed, Masako Iino, sador in Tokyo. (Canada was still a the treaty on the understanding that a Japanese scholar, has discovered British colony insofar as its foreign the emigration restrictions then in that late in 1906, Kishiro Morikawa, relations were concerned.) This place would continue. Japan real- Japan’s consul in Vancouver, aware apology deterred Japan from making ized that if she did not accept some of the strong anti-Japanese agita- a formal protest but it called for a restrictions, Canada might denounce tion in California, had advised the diplomatic solution to the immigra- the treaty and that that could lead Minister of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo tion problem and submitted claims to losses in trade. Japan was also that Japan must be careful not to for property damages. To investigate anxious to maintain the friendship arouse anti-Japanese sentiments in the damages, the Laurier government of Britain that was objecting to British Columbia. He suggested that sent Mackenzie Japan should King, the Dep- only “permit a uty Minister of small number” Labour, to Van- of labourers to couver where emigrate at any he arranged to one time.10 In hear from the Japan, Lemieux claimants and expressed a to have photo- similar opinion graphs taken of as he warned the damages.7 that an “unex- He calculated pectedly large that the actual immigration of damages were labourers and $ 1 , 5 5 3 . 5 8 artisans” might but allowed i m p a i r t h e an additional “happy rela- $7,482.42 for tions” of Can- such collateral ada and Japan. damage as loss He suggested of business. that British Co- Although this Our Immigration! British Columbia: Wilfred, protect me from these beasts (translation) lumbia could was consider- LE CANARD, September 1907 absorb about ably less than the $13,519.45 the Japanese expansion in China and 300 such immigrants per year. This Consul-General had claimed, the Manchuria where both had interests. did not convince Hayashi but he was government of Japan was satisfied And, always conscious of its honour, unwilling to accept the “humiliation” with Canada’s recognition of the Japan did not want other countries to of having the number of Japanese im- principle of compensation.8 impose restrictions on the migration migrants limited by treaty. Therefore Responding to Japan’s request of its citizens. Consequently, Japan he suggested a “gentlemen’s agree- for a diplomatic solution, Prime agreed to Lemieux’s mission.9 ment” whereby Japan would restrict Minister Laurier sent the Minister of The result was the secret Gen- the emigration of labourers to Canada Labour, Rodolphe Lemieux, to Tokyo tlemen’s Agreement or the Lemieux- and prohibit the emigration of all oth- to discuss immigration. (King had Hayashi Agreement whereby Japan, ers except those who had previously wanted the assignment but he had represented by Count Hayashi, the resided in Canada, their wives and limited fluency in French, the lan- foreign minister, voluntarily agreed children, and those who had “special guage of international diplomacy). to limit the number of passports it invitations” from Japanese nationals The government of Japan tried to would issue annually to its subjects or other residents of Canada such as dissuade Laurier from sending any- who wished to emigrate to Canada. contract labourers, domestic servants one to Japan explaining that Canada The idea for such an arrangement for Japanese residents, or workers had no right to ask an adherent to the appears to have come from Japan required by Japanese entrepreneurs Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Commerce which was then negotiating a some- for their mining or agricultural opera- Continued on page 10 9 tions. Since Canada had means to words of Midge Ayukawa, “brought 2 VANCOUVER DAILY PROV- control the entry of contract labour, about a transition from wataridori INCE, 7 September 1907. Lemieux reluctantly accepted this labouring overseas to more long-term 3 W.L.M. King to Wilfrid Laurier, arrangement after Hayashi promised settlement.”13 It is paradoxical that 9 November 1907, Library and Ar- that Japan would allow no more than although the Vancouver Riot led to chives Canada, Wilfrid Laurier Pa- a total of four hundred agricultural severe restrictions on Japanese im- pers, #131662-64. labourers and domestic servants to migration to Canada, the subsequent 4 VANCOUVER DAILY PROV- leave each year. For domestic politi- Gentlemen’s Agreement contributed INCE, 9 September 1907. cal reasons, Japan, however, refused to the permanent settlement of Japa- 5 This paragraph draws on Masako to have the agreement published. nese in Canada. Iino, “Japan’s Reaction to the Van- The Gentlemen’s Agreement couver Riot of 1907,” BC STUDIES, did reduce the number of Japanese Postscript 60 (Winter 1983-84), 40-41. immigrants to Canada but para- As for the Asiatic Exclusion 6 Kishiro Morikawa to Tadasu Hayas- doxically increased the Japanese League whose parade and rally had hi, 24 September 1907, NIHON population of Canada. In every year drawn world-wide attention, it con- GAIKO BUNSHO (hereafter NGB), but one before 1941, the number of tinued to seek members in various vol. 40-3, no. 1738 quoted in Iino, immigrants was well below a 1,000.11 coastal cities but rent by internal “Japan’s Reaction,” 38. However, as every student of the divisions had difficulty recruiting 7 China was slow to protest the history of the Japanese in Canada new members and retaining the in- losses of its citizens but when it knows, it changed the pattern of terest of the old. Its more moderate did, the Canadian government had Japanese immigration to Canada and members rejected the idea of another King undertake a similar survey of of Japanese Canadian demography. parade. Instead, despite the opposi- Chinese losses and arranged to pay Most of the immigrants before the tion of some of its members who compensation. agreement had been men but their correctly observed that both major 8 Iino. “Japan’s Reaction,” 39. numbers were now restricted. The parties also favoured Asiatic exclu- 9 This paragraph draws on Iino, agreement, however, did not affect sion, the League ran a candidate in “Japan’s Reaction,” 44-46. their wives, whether they had been Vancouver in the 1908 federal elec- 10 Morikawa to Hayashi, 28 Novem- left behind in Japan or later married tion. He drew only twenty per cent ber 1906, NGB, vol. 39-2, no. 1235 through the ‘picture bride’ system. of the vote and thereafter the League quoted in Iino, “Japan’s Reaction,” With rare exception, in every year faded away. ❁ 37. from 1908 the number of adult fe- 11 In 1919, the number rose to 1,178. male immigrants was greater than References This is probably explained by a the number of adult male immigrants Unless otherwise specified, this backlog of immigrants caused by and most of these women were in article draws on Patricia E. Roy, A shipping disruptions during the First their child-bearing years. Despite White Man’s Province: British Co- World War. limited immigration, the population lumbia Politicians and Chinese and 12 Canada, House of Commons, De- of the Japanese in Canada grew. As Japanese Immigrants, 1858-1924 bates, 26 June 1931, 3122 A.W. Neill M.P., the Japanophobe (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1989), ch. 13 Midge Ayukawa. “Good Wives from Comox-Alberni, complained to 8. and Wise Mothers: Japanese Picture Parliament in 1931, “more trouble is Brides in Early Twentieth-Century caused by the stork than by the im- 1 VANCOUVER DAILY PROV- British Columbia,” BC STUDIES, migrant ship.”12 It was these “good INCE, 6 September 1907. 105-6 (Spring-Summer, 1995), 107 wives and wise mothers” who, in the Powell Street Riot by Sakuya Nishimura It was on Sept. 7, 1907 that the Steveston were uneasy and at times workers were brought into Western so called ‘Powell St. Riot’ happened erupted into violence around the turn Canada for the construction of Ca- just one hundred years ago. `This riot of the 20th century. Consequently, the nadian Pacific Railway. After the did not happen suddenly, but resulted movement by white people to elimi- completion of the railway, white after long simmering antagonism nate Japanese fishermen from the people worried the Chinese workers held by white people against Asian fishing industry was getting stronger would remain in Canada and call workers in B.C. Tensions between and stronger. over their families. Therefore, the Japanese and white fishermen in During l88l-85, 15,000 Chinese Canadian Government imposed a

10 ‘head tax’ on Chinese immigrating This number of Japanese immi- The mob then proceeded to the 500 into Canada. This head tax increased grants increased to 8,048 if students, block of Powell Street. from $50 per person in 1886 to $150 merchants, etc. are included. How- The terrified Japanese living in l90l and to $500 in 1903. How- ever, of these, 3,619 Japanese moved on Powell Street prepared to defend ever, the federal government did on from Canada to the United States themselves assisted by many youth not impose the head tax on Japanese within one month. from Steveston under the direction immigrants for political reasons. The Asian Exclusion League of Saburo Yoshio and they did. He Canada was still a colony of Great was established in United States and ordered the men to collect stones Britain at that time and had to abide a corresponding group was formed and bricks and the women to make by its international treaties. Great in Canada. On Saturday, September ‘ nigiri-meshi’ (rice balls). The second Britain had concluded the Treaty of 7th, the League organized a protest attack came around 9:30 PM, but Commerce and Navigation in 1895 that attracted about 2,000 people by this time the Japanese were well with the Japanese Government and at the Cambie Street grounds. This prepared with many of the defenders then the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, a crowd marched down Georgia and on the rooftops throwing stones and military treaty, in 1902. These treaties Hastings Streets carrying small flags bricks. Other defenders were en- prevented the Canadian Government with the slogans such as ‘Stand for a gaged in hand-to-hand combat with from imposing taxes on Japanese White Canada’ and ‘If Canada Were the rioters, who soon ran away after entering the country. Attacked, Who Would Defend Her: some of them were injured. After 11 British Columbia only became a Whites or Orientals’. More people PM, the rioters intended to attack province of Canada in 1871 and was kept joining the procession, so by the Chinatown again, but the organizers virtually unsettled in 1900, except time it arrived at City Hall on Main wanting the rioting to stop, shouted for native peoples. There were very Street, the crowd had grown to 5,000. orders to disperse, which the rioters few factories and employment op- At City Hall, various demonstrators, ignored and continued marching to portunities were essentially limited to including Reverend H.W. Fraser their destination. However, police- the jobs in primary industries, that is, demanded the following: the Cana- men and firefighters were waiting for logging, mining and fisheries. White dian Government should authorize them in Chinatown and hosed them people concerned about competition the Natal Act; the Premier of B.C. with water. The rioters gave up and for the few available jobs resisted should recognize the Asian Exclu- went home. the invasion of Chinese and Japanese sion League; the Asian Exclusion On Sunday, Sept. 8th, nothing workers. The exclusion of Asians be- League should establish close contact happened and on Monday white men gan in the United States and in Febru- with their counterpart organization set fire to the Japanese Language ary 1907 the government prohibited in Seattle. School on Alexander Street, but it Asians from entering the US from Another speaker agitated the was extinguished before it had a Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. This crowd to torch an effigy of Dun- chance to spread. On the same day, exclusion prompted Asian migrants smuir, which was executed with great the Hastings Sawmill, where many from Hawaii to side-track instead gaiety. Aroused by the rhetoric and Japanese had been employed since to Canada. In 1907, the numbers of excitement, the crowd marched to 1883, was also set on fire as was the Japanese migrants from Hawaii and Chinatown yelling and chanting their Japanese Methodist Church. Both entering Canada were as follows: slogans. The violence started when a escaped damage. During this riot, April 22nd 294 young man threw a brick through a 56 Japanese houses were damaged, May 13th 223 Chinese store window, igniting the so Consul General Nosse in Ottawa July 6th 241 mob to rampage through Chinatown asked for compensation from the July 24th 1,177 breaking every window and then Canadian Government for damages. On this date, the British ship, KU- heading to Japantown through Main The Canada Government organized MERIC, came into Vancouver har- Street to Powell Street. two Royal Committees, the first to bour with 1,177 Japanese passengers. At the corner of Main and investigate the extent of the dam- Several thousand white merchants Powell, a large grocery store owned ages, which eventually resulted in and workers met to protest the entry by the Kawasaki brothers was badly the dispensation of $13,500 for the of the passengers to Canada. damaged by stones thrown by the Japanese Community and $25,990 Aug. 18th 306 rioters. The stores, on both sides of for the Chinese Community. The Sept. 18th 293 the 200-400 blocks of Powell Street, mandate of the second Committee Total 2,534 were also damaged by thrown stones. was to analyze the causes of the riot. Continued on page 12 11 This Committee reported the riot to a more normal familial society. Imports and Exports 5 was caused by too many Asians ar- In 1907, the Japanese community in Teachers (4 schools) 3 riving in Canada and suggested the the Powell Street area was already Religious 2 number of the Asian immigrants be well established as shown in the Others 120 restricted. The Japanese Government following statistics of the numbers Total ca. 1,312 ❁ accepted the Committee’s proposal of employees (mostly men) in the References and concluded the Lemieux Agree- various industries and businesses of Ito, Roy. Stories of My People. 1994, ment which restricted the number of Japantown: Premark Print- I male Japanese immigrants to 400 per Mill workers ca. 1000 Kobayashi, Audrey. Memories of Our year, except returning immigrants, Food stores 32 Past. 1992, NCR Publishing. agricultural and domestic workers, Newspapers 27 Shinpo, Mitsuru. Ishi Mote Owaruru students, diplomats and merchants. Restaurants 26 Gotoku. 1975, This agreement did not restrict fe- Room and board 26 Shinpo, Mitsuru. Nippon No Imin. male immigrants and an upsurge of Grocery stores 21 1977, Hyoron Sha, Japan. wives and ‘picture brides’ entered Businessmen 15 Tairiku Nippo Sha. Canada Canada and completely transformed Inn and Hotels 14 Doho Hatten Shi.1909, Tairiku Nippo the Japanese community from an Doctors, dentists, midwives 12 sha . essentially male dominated society Barbers 11 Perspectives on the 1907 Riots in Selected Asian Languages and International Newspapers by Woan-Jen Wang On September 7, 1907, nearly and sources were rarely consulted by Most of the English media tended a century ago, an anti-Asiatic riot the Canadian authorities, and thus, to down play the violence of the 1907 took place in Vancouver’s Chinatown the Asian victims’ voices have been riots. This view, widely circulated in and Japantown. The riot was the buried over the past century. local newspapers, came to dominate most spectacular moment within In this article, first, I will later views as well. Sixty years later, a long history of anti-Asiatic discuss how most local English a historian writing about the riots agitation in British Columbia. This language media tended to down concluded from reading local English hostility began in 1885, right after play the violence of the 1907 riots. language newspapers that, “There the Canadian Pacific Railway was Second, the local media ignored the was considerable damage to property completed and the same year the long history of anti-Asian agitation held by Chinese and Japanese, but Head Tax was imposed on Chinese in British Columbia and instead there were no deaths.1” Chinese entering Canada. This long history of portrayed the Asiatic Exclusion and Japanese language newspapers anti-Asian agitation resulted in more League, originally organized in the tended to describe the riots in a much than the street violence of the riot, United States, as the cause of the riot. more violent light. For instance, in but also created a legacy of focusing Finally, in reading what Chinese and an article, “The Detailed Report of on the perspectives of the rioters at Japanese language newspapers had to the Vancouver Riot”, published in the expense of the victims of the riot. say about the riots, we can see very Taiwan in both Japanese and Chinese This exclusion of Chinese Canadian, different reactions and perspectives on September 22, 1907, roughly two Japanese Canadian, and South Asian than in English language newspapers. weeks after the riot, THE TAIWAN Canadian points of view might not I will discuss articles from three DAILY NEWS, reported that there have been as violent, but in many Asian-language newspapers, each of were in fact multiple deaths: “The ways the long-term effect has been which based their reports on accounts Japanese stores in Vancouver on just as harmful. In perpetuating the from Chinese or Japanese observers the evening of September 8th, were rioters’ perspectives as the central in Vancouver; THE TAIWAN DAILY damaged by a thousand rioters; The story of 1907, Canadian history NEWS [TAIWAN RI RI XIN BAO Japanese fought with them and killed still has not adequately included 台灣日日新報 ], THE CHINESE four white men2.”Additionally, this those who were excluded through ENGLISH DAILY [HUA YING article described in detail the number these anti-Asian acts. During the JIH PAO華英日報] and the THE of stores that were damaged and investigation of the riot, conducted CHINESE WESTERN DAILY specifically indicated the name of the by future Prime Minister Mackenzie NEWS [CHUNG SAI YAT PO中 stores, “The eighteen stores ran by King, Asian language newspapers 西日報]. the Japanese, including nine hotels,

12 two public bathing places, two shoes but citizens of the United States. that local labour unions [工黨Gong stores, five barber shop, a bank, a They were Frank Cotterill, president dang] were behind the 1907 riot.That press, a Japanese food restaurant, and of the Federation of Labour of the this eyewitness was referring to local a glass store, were all damaged.3” State of Washington, A.E. Fowler, labour unions and not the Asiatic Mr. Ishii [a special envoy secretary of the Anti-Japanese and Exclusion League was evident: of the Japanese Government] Korean League of the same State, in THE CHINESE WESTERN requested twenty-five thousand and George P. Listman, a prominent DAILY NEWS, THE CHINA DAILY dollars in compensation, but the Labour leader of Seatle...The actual [ZHONG GUO RI BAO中國日報], Mayor refused it. Therefore, this acts of violence seem to have been CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY NEWS request was transferred to the committed for the most part by [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI RI XIN Canadian government and became Canadians, but that the violence was BAO漢文台灣日日新報] the Asiatic an international issue4. due to the agitation of the Americans Exclusion League was translated as This detailed information, there appears to be not a shadow of 禁亞人會 Jin Ya ren hui11 or Qu zhu focusing on the actions of the Japanese doubt7.” Ya ren hui, Ri ben ren pai chi tong in response to the riots, transformed B.C.’s long history of local anti- meng hui not Gong dang , labour the incident into a diplomatic crisis Asiatic sentiment and active labour union or party. Chinese newspapers, between Japan and Canada and movements were not mentioned unlike local English newspapers, served to give the point of view of at all. In contrast, THE TAIWAN reported the long history of local the Chinese and Japanese victims, DAILY NEWS revealed that British anti-Asian organizing, refusing to something that was rare among the Columbians were actively involved assign sole cause to the agitation of local English newspapers. in the anti-Asiatic movement, even Americans and the Asiatic Exclusion Major local English newspapers after the anti-Asiatic 1907 riot, League. focused on the sympathy of federal something rarely brought up in local This long hostility and political and British officials and their regret B.C. newspapers, “The anti-Japanese agitation outlasted the September for the victims in the riot. One movement was becoming more and 1907 riots, with ongoing incidents. newspaper reported that the Prime more active in Vancouver; the local In January 1908, a small anti- Minister of Canada, on order of the people frequently allied with the Japanese riot happened again. A Governor-General, sent a telegraph anti-Japanese Exclusion League and telegraph issued on the 4th from to the Mayor of Vancouver. often hold meetings to plan to attack Tokyo: “Yesterday, anti-Japanese riot The Governor-General and the the Japanese8.” happened in Vancouver, damaging King of England had close relations Reporting the opinion of a Japanese stores. The Japanese fought and they heard the Emperor of Japan’s Chinese eyewitness, THE CHINESE back and rioters retrieved. There subjects were insulted and expressed WESTERN DAILY NEWS described were some casualties12.” their deep regrets and hope that order a local context for the riot: “Japanese From the point of view of could be restored and the offenders and East Indians have flooded in the Asians targeted by anti-Asian punished as soon as possible5. to Vancouver since the beginning agitation in B.C., the riots of 1907 In September 1907, most of this year. Therefore, the labour were only one incident and was soon English and American media ascribed unions are envious of them… Labour followed by anti-Asian legislation. the cause of the riots to Americans unions often petition the Canadian These included the Hayashi-Lemieux belonging to the Asiatic Exclusion government to forbid Japanese and Agreement of 1908, which limited League6, while neglecting the long East Indian workers [from coming], the number of Japanese migrants; the hostility against Asian migrants in and the racial discrimination even 1908 Continuous Journey Act, which British Columbia. This elision gave applies to our race [the Chinese cut off migrants from India; and the the impression that local B.C. social people]. The hatred has been 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, which organizations (e.g. the local churches accumulating for a long time9.” finally answered the long-standing and labour unions) and politicians That “the labour union [工黨 call of anti-Asian organizations for had little to do with the 1907 riot. Gong dang] has been envious of the ending of Chinese migration to For instance, THE TIMES the influx of Asian labours since Canada. emphasized to their readers that the beginning of the year [1907]10,” The role of community Americans were to be blamed for implied that organized anti-Asian organizations in dealing with anti- the 1907 riots: “The leaders of the hostility had existed in B.C. for at Asian violence and discrimination demonstration were not Canadians, least eight months. He was clear is also revealed in Chinese language Continued on page 14 13 sources in ways that we cannot with non-Chinese authorities. One local B.C. newspapers were very find in English sources. A notice Chinese eyewitness to the riots and different from that of Asian language distributed by the Chinese Benevolent their aftermath wrote, “This time it newspapers. The historical voice of Association (CBA) to the inhabitants was fortunate that THE CHINESE Chinese and Japanese Canadians, and in Chinatown around September 8, ENGLISH DAILY office, for days on the historical importance of Asian 1907 was printed in THE CHINESE end, distributed issues [because the language materials pertaining to the ENGLISH DAILY: “If any of you people started to feel calmer]. [The 1907 riots must be recovered, and go back to your original work places Chinese Benevolent Association] this long ignored history reclaimed. and your employers are not willing acted with certainty, telegraphing the To continue to only listen to the to hire you and hire others instead, Canadian government to negotiate English language sources reinforces please report to the CBA and we rationally with them, accusing the the erasure and exclusions that anti- will negotiate for you, ” and later, local government and requesting Asian agitation and white supremacy “Any Chinese people who have been compensation. [The Chinese accomplished in the aftermath of the beaten by westerners, please report to Benevolent Association] advised my 1907 riots. To do so perpetuates the the CBA and we will negotiate with fellow countrymen to be watchful injustices that anti-Asian agitation them13.” The CBA actively organized and prepare themselves [in case the worked to achieve, denying us the Chinese Canadians to parry the often situation worsened]17.” possibility of creating a common violent tactics used by anti-Asian Articles in the THE CHINESE Canadian history that recognizes the organizations, part of a long term ENGLISH DAILY and the tactics inequities of the past, which is the strategy to remove Chinese workers used by the CBA in response to anti- shared inheritance of us all. ❁ from jobs and replace them with Chinese violence revealed how the * The author, Woan-Jen Wang, a white workers. Chinese differed from their enemies UBC student, is currently working on Notices published by the by showing them as uncivilized by a website, Perspectives on the 1907 CBA again highlight the disparity resorting to violence as a political Riots in Selected Asian Languages between English and Asian language tool. and International Newspapers, as newspapers in reporting the role of Our country [China] uses culture a course project and as part of the violence as a political tactic. The and civilization to deal with enemies. 2007 Anniversary. Prof. Henry Yu is major British Columbia newspapers, The Analects of Confucius say, “Use her instructor. such as THE COLUMBIANS, uprightness to treat resentment; use reported that there were “no fatalities” kindness in return for kindness.” References: in the 1907 riot14. However, according Improve ourselves in order to wipe (Endnotes) to the notice issued by the CBA away this humiliation [that the riot 1 Wynne, Robert E. American Labor printed in THE CHINESE ENGLISH has brought to Chinatown]; face Leaders and the Vancouver Anti- DAILY, a Chinese man Wu Ya-sen upward and feel free!18” Oriental Riot. Pacific Northwest from Pingxia, the city of Nin, was It is interesting to note how Quarterly, October, 1966. P. 172- found “hanging on the tree close many English language newspapers 179. to a public cemetery” after the riot focused on how the Japanese 2 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY and “the cause of his death” was heroically fought back the rioters, NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI unclear15. “The CBA has hired a showing how the Chinese in contrast RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] lawyer and doctor to exam his body were relatively passive in protecting Sep 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission tomorrow at 4 o’clock in order to themselves. However, Chinese Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. investigate the cause of his death language newspapers revealed a National Taiwan University. Main and will subsequently announce different perspective on violence, Library. it.”16 It was inconclusive whether Wu suggesting the response of the 3 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY Ya-sen hanged himself. The CBA’s Chinese in not fighting violence with NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI role as an organization created to further violence as a virtue. RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] respond to anti-Chinese agitation was The Chinese, Japanese and Sep 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission clear. THE CHINESE ENGLISH English language newspapers were Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. DAILY became the primary organ reporting on the same set of events-- National Taiwan University. Main for distributing information within the 1907 Riots--however, the readers Library. the Chinese community in response perceived very different stories. The 4 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY to the riot and for negotiating perspectives on the 1907 riots of NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI

14 RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] 1 0 THE CHUNG SAI YAT PO Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. Sep 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission [Microfilm], Sep 16, 1907. Chung National Taiwan University. Main Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. Sai Yat Po Pub. Co, Publisher.Chung Library. National Taiwan Unviersity. Main Sai Yat Po Newspaper Collection. 15 The Chinese Benevolent Association Library. University of California, Berkeley. Notice. Historical Chinese Language 5 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY The Ethnic Studies Library. Materials in B.C., an on-going project NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI 1 1 THE CHUNG SAI YAT PO of UBC Asian Library. RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] [Microfilm], Sep 09, 1907. Chung 1 6 THE COLUMBIAN Sep 09, Sep 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission Sai Yat Po Pub. Co, Publisher.Chung 1907. British Columbia, Vancouver, Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. Sai Yat Po Newspaper Collection. Canada. National Taiwan University. Main University of California, Berkeley. 17 The Chinese Benevolent Association Library. The Ethnic Studies Library. Notice. Historical Chinese Language 6 Wynne, Robert E. American Labor 12 CHINA DAILY Sep 21, 1907. Hong Materials in B.C., an on-going project Leaders and the Vancouver Anti- Kong China Daily Press. Taipei: of UBC Asian Library. Oriental Riot. Pacific Northwest The KMT Central Committee of 18 The Chinese Benevolent Association Quarterly October, 1966. P.172-179 Compiling KMT Historical Materials Notice. Historical Chinese Language 7 THE TIMES Wednesday, Sep 11, [Zhong guo guo min dang zhong Materials in B.C., an on-going project 1907. London, England. yang wei yuan hui dang shi shi liao of UBC Asian Library. 8 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY bian zuan wei yuan hui], 1969. 1 9 THE CHUNG SAI YAT PO NEWS[HAN WEN TAIWAN RI 13 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY [Microfilm] Sep 16, 1907. Chung RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI RI Sai Yat Po Pub. Co, Publisher.Chung Sep 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission XIN BAO] [electronic resource]Sep Sai Yat Po Newspaper Collection. Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. 21, 1907. Taipei: Transmission University of California, Berkeley. National Taiwan University. Main Books & Microinfo Co. Ltd., 2005. The Ethnic Studies Library. Library. National Taiwan University. Main 2 0 THE CHUNG SAI YAT PO 9 THE CHUNG SAI YAT PO Library. [Microfilm] Sep 16, 1907. Chung [Microfilm], Sep 16, 1907. Chung 14 THE CHINESE TAIWAN DAILY Sai Yat Po Pub. Co, Publisher.Chung Sai Yat Po Pub. Co, Publisher.Chung NEWS [HAN WEN TAIWAN RI Sai Yat Po Newspaper Collection. Sai Yat Po Newspaper Collection. RI XIN BAO] [electronic resource] University of California, Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley. Jan 05, 1908. Taipei: Transmission The Ethnic Studies Library. The Ethnic Studies Library. Family History Series No. 6 Kozo Kitagawa and the Omiya Shoten and Tad’s Sporting Goods by Mitsuo Yesaki and Tad Kitagawa Kozo Kitagawa was born in OMIYA Company, or in Japanese, Fortunately the generally good times 1888 in Shiga Prefecture, Japan and OMIYA SHOTEN. The 1920s was enabled the Japanese to find other op- immigrated to Canada in 1920. Prior an opportune decade to start a busi- portunities, mainly in farming. to immigrating to Canada, Kozo had ness due to a booming economy with The OMIYA SHOTEN was a a short career with a large trading increasing demand for goods and large store on a property located on company called Marubeni in Osaka services after World War I. OMIYA Moncton Street between Number and he became a great friend with SHOTEN was listed for the first time One Road and First Avenue. The Itoh Chubei-san, the founder of C. in the 1925 issue of a British Colum- main floor of the building was the Itoh Trading Company. Kozo main- bia business directory1. business area and the back portion tained his friendship with many se- During the twenties, the Federal on the second floor was the living nior management of both C. Itoh and Fisheries Department commenced an quarters, which contained the living Marubeni as evidenced by the many initiative to eliminate the Japanese room, bathroom and six bedrooms. personal greeting notes written in his from commercial fishing on the west The kitchen was on the main floor autograph book during their frequent coast. This initiative had a severe at the rear of the business area. Also business visits to Vancouver. economic impact on the Japanese at the back of the first floor was the Kozo opened a general store fishermen in Steveston as many car garage, a furoba (Japanese style in Steveston in the early 1920s, the of them lost their fishing licences. Continued on page 16 15 Steveston area was S. Wakita, pro- prietor of the WAKITA General Store located on the southeast corner of Moncton Street and Second Avenue and HONG WO located on Dyke Road west of Trites Road. In 1926, Kozo returned to Shiga Prefecture, Japan and married Masa Hayami. Masa was born in 1907 and was 19 years old at the time of their marriage. The married couple returned to Canada and had six chil- dren: daughter Kazuko (Margaret), son Tadao (Tad), daughtersYoshiko (Betty), Shigeko (Mary) and sons View from northwest corner of Masayuki (Mas) and Koichi. OMIYA SHOTEN under a blanket of Kozo hired a live-in maid to snow. (T. Kitagawa photo, ca. 1935) assist in raising the children and help- Yokohama. Kozo and Masa Kitagawa. (T. Kitagawa photo, ca. 1926) ing with general household chores. The train ride from Yokohama In February 1939, Kozo and to Kyoto on the TSUBAME (1939 bath), rice room for storing stacks of his family (Masa, Kazuko, Tadao, bullet train) was an overnight jour- 100-pound rice sacks, storage area Yoshiko and Shigeko) went to Ja- ney. Upon arriving in Kyoto, Kozo for sawdust (the main fuel for the pan on the HEI MARU for a three rented a house for three months. kitchen stove) and an area for the month holiday. Masayuki stayed In Kyoto, many relatives of Kozo dogs he loved so much. in Steveston and was cared for by and Masa were there to meet them, As the name implies, the OMI- Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka. The journey including numerous uncles, aunts, YA SHOTEN general store sold most to Yokohama took 13 days. Once cousins and Obachan as well as many essential goods for the everyday outside of Victoria, the sea became close friends. Most of these people needs for the Steveston community; very rough and remained so all the were from the ‘inaka’ and none of Japanese and Canadian groceries, way to Japan. All the children were them ever came to Canada. During clothing, Japanese chinaware, paint- seasick for 11 days and Masa was so the three-month period in Japan, ing supplies, knitting goods and a sick she got an infection and had to Kozo hired a private tutor to make large selection of commercial fish- be hospitalized for an operation in sure his children kept up to date in ing equipment and gear (gum boots, their education. The family visited raingear, kerosene lanterns, oars, many of the cultural sights of Kyoto compasses, etc). – otera (temples), shrines, shibai The store was open seven days a (theatres), and geisha-ya. One of the week from 9 AM to as late as 9 PM. most enjoyable places to visit was Kozo had two employees working in the department store rooftop enter- the store and a live-in delivery boy. tainment. He purchased a Chevrolet truck in The journey home from Yoko- 1925 for delivering goods to custom- hama on the HEIAN MARU (sister ers. Besides sales of regular ‘super- ship of HEI MARU) in early May market’ goods, Kozo was noted for was much more enjoyable. The fam- selling and serving ‘unauthorized’ li- ily returned to Steveston just in time quor through the back door. In 1939, for the May Day celebration at the the store was raided by the police and Brighouse Race Track oval. they confiscated all the liquor includ- Before the war, Kozo was very ing many whiskey bottles containing active in the Japanese community, shoyu. Kozo used the empty whiskey especially with the Steveston Bud- bottles as shoyu containers for sale to Kozo Kitagawa beside his new dhist Church. He was also an avid his customers. Chevrolet pick-up truck. (T. supporter of the Steveston Fuji Kozo’s main competitors in the Kitagawa photo, 1925) baseball team. His hobbies included 16 playing tennis with Mr. Kobayashi, ed a small cottage, which included a who had his own tennis court. He kitchen, one bedroom downstairs and also enjoyed going to the horse races one room upstairs for $18 a month. in Brighouse and Lansdowne Park. Unfortunately, the winter of 1942/43 He enjoyed playing shogi, a Japanese was extremely cold and most of the board game similar to chess, with his Japanese canned goods which Kozo good friends Jiro Nishihata (propri- packed from Steveston were dam- etor of the Home gas station on the aged and subsequently destroyed. Fraser River), Kunimatsu Saimoto, Kozo did not work while in Bridge Mr. Yodogawa and Ihei Hirata. Both River, however, he spent a few weeks Kozo and Mr. Saimoto, his favorite picking bugs for the government. opponent, taught the game to their In 1945, Kozo and his family sons who often played shogi together. moved to Vernon with the help of his Tad knows how to play shogi to this good friend, Jiro Nishihata. There, day. he rented a small house which had When the family was evacuated no plumbing, no clean water and no in 1942, the OMIYA SHOTEN store electricity. Kozo worked in the or- was fully stocked with merchandise. chards thinning and picking apples. Kozo decided to move to Bridge He also farmed to market vegetables River, a self-supporting relocation and for the family’s own needs. site. He shipped crates of Japa- Sometime in 1946, Kozo received nese canned goods like takenoko, compensation for the losses suffered Back of the Omiya Shoten showing fukujinzuke, unagi, etc, along with during the evacuation amounting to second storey living quarters, cooking utensils, furniture and per- $11,000 from the Federal Govern- stairway, balcony and railing. (T. sonal effects. Because Bridge River ment. Kitagawa photo, ca. 1936) was classified as a self-supporting In April, 1949, the Federal ing goods as this was the only thing community, there were no baggage Government removed the travel that was familiar to him because of restrictions for evacuees. restrictions barring persons of Japa- his interest in sports, especially base- Kozo and his family arrived in nese descent from returning to the ball, basketball and hockey. Bridge River in April 1942. He rent- west coast. Kozo and Tad came to In 1950, they opened TAD’S Vancouver in November 1949 to look SPORTING GOODS in a small, for a suitable house. Kozo was 61 rented store (12 feet x 50 feet) at years old at this time when most men 1381 SW Marine Drive opposite would be considering retirement. For the Marpole Theatre. The store was some reason unknown to Tad, Kozo divided into two areas – the front did not contemplate restarting in section for various types of sporting Steveston. He searched for a home goods and the back section for Japa- in the Marpole area and found a large nese foods and groceries, similar to house on Aisne Street on a triangular the old days of OMIYA SHOTEN, but lot measuring 220 feet x 250 feet x on a much smaller scale. Kozo pur- 150 feet. The house was originally chased a panel truck which he used a bunkhouse for the Universal Box to sell and deliver groceries to many Company and the house abutted its relocated Japanese living in outlying premises. The list price of the house communities including Steveston, was $5000, but Kozo purchased it Queensborough, Sunbury, Newton, for $4500. and Celtic and Great Northern can- Once the purchase of the house neries. was completed, Kozo and Tad began Kozo’s daily work routine was Kozo Kitagawa and family, thinking of what type of business to go to downtown Vancouver early including grandparents, in front of they should establish. Kozo thought in the morning to pick up goods from Keigon Taki at Nikko. (T. Kitagawa of starting a rice related business the produce wholesalers and Japa- photo, 1939) whereas Tad suggested selling sport- nese food suppliers. Daily pick-up of Continued on page 18 17 Male congregation in front of the Steveston Buddhist Temple. Kozo Kitagawa sitting in front row (third from left) with Reverend Mori on his left followed by Fumio Kajiro. (T. Kitagawa photo, 1937) perishables such as tofu, kamaboko, to late evening. Kozo went out of to 18-inch bologna. Kozo convinced age, fruits, and eggs were carefully his way to fulfill the orders of his the Pacific Meat Company manager loaded into the panel truck and deliv- customers. Before the war, one of to produce the bologny for sale to ered to customers homes from noon the Japanese ‘favorites’ was the 12 Japanese customers.

Fuji baseball team with Shinichi Matsuo on extreme left and Kozo Kitagawa on extreme right. (T. Kitagawa photo, date unknown)

18 Many of the returning Japanese were fishermen and to deliver the groceries was often done under very difficult conditions. For example, many of the Japanese fishermen in Queensborough and Sunbury lived in boathouses on the Fraser River. These homes were only accessible from the main dyke via footpaths and wooden walkways. Kozo frequently negotiated these ‘obstacle courses’ with a 100-pound sack of rice on his back. Tad remembers filling in for Kozo and working 10 – 12 hour days. Kozo continued the delivery service until a year before his death in 1970 at age 82. Perhaps he was trying to Front view of the second Tad’s Sporting Good’s store on 1353 SW Marine make up for the 7½ idle years lost Drive. (T. Kitagawa photo, ca. 1960) during the internment period. In 1958, Tad married Michiko tory by adding essentials and acces- in 1958 and 1962, respectively, Tad’s Nakazawa and they moved into a new sories for sports fishing and hunt- Sporting Goods moved to a larger store home in Richmond. Kozo and Masa ing, camping, skiing, and various at 1353 SW Marine Drive and then to moved in with them. Although Kozo racquet equipment and clothing. A 8750 Granville Street – its current lo- passed away in 1970, Masa continued well-stocked inventory of sporting cation. Tad retired in 1998 but he still to live with Tad and Michiko until goods combined with regular and goes to the store once a week. Mas, his early 2006, at which time she had to loyal customers soon surpassed the younger brother and a Chinese partner be moved to a senior’s assisted living sales of the Kozo’s grocery busi- continue to operate a successful TAD’S home in Richmond. ness. Whenever anybody needed SPORTING GOODS. ❁ In the beginning, sporting goods something in the sporting goods was secondary in sales compared to field, you would often hear the Footnotes Kozo’s grocery business. However, phrase, “Go see Tad!” 1 Wrigley’s British Columbia Direc- with many suggestions from custom- With the construction of the tory 1925 ers, Tad slowly increased his inven- Oak Street and Arthur Lang bridges Artist/Craftsman Series No. 11 Hapa Animator a Voice for the Future by Christine Kondo Now 27, the half-Japanese, half-Cau- casian (a mix of English/Scottish/Rus- sian/German) film animator recently won the Best Animated Short Award at the Canadian Awards for Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) for the film that answers the question, ‘What Are You Anyways?’ Since its release in 2005, the film has won seven awards and has been screened at more than 30 international film festivals. In his acceptance speech Jeff said, Jeff Chiba Stearns and his hapa comic character in “What Are You “It means a great deal to be recognized Anyways? (J.C. Stearns photo, 2006) by my peers in the Canadian animation As a child growing up in a small “So, what are you anyways?” It’s industry for the work I am doing in town in British Columbia, Jeff Chiba a question that many children of independent classical animation. So Stearns was often asked the question, mixed marriages are familiar with. Continued on page 20 19 many people from around the world significant portion of the younger responded to how much they relate generation is hapa. According to to my film and in turn share their 2001 data compiled by Statistics own stories with me. I can only hope Canada, 37.5 percent of the Japanese for continued success with all my Canadian community is of mixed future projects and that my work will ancestry. The number of people with continue to touch the lives of people mixed Japanese ancestry has nearly around the world.” doubled since 1991. And, the Japa- “What Are You Anyways?” is nese Canadian mixed marriage and the first animated film to deal with intermarriage rate is the highest of intermarriage and hapa issues in all ethnic groups.1 the Japanese Canadian community. Jeff graduated from the Emily ‘ Hapa’ comes from the Hawaiian Carr Institute of Art and Design with word hapa-haole which is used to a Bachelor of Media Arts majoring describe people of partial Asian or in Film Animation in 2001. He also Pacific Islander ancestry. The humor- has a Bachelor of Education with a ous but touching autobiographical major in Secondary Fine Arts Educa- film explores Jeff’s mixed cultural tion from the University of British Jeff Chiba Stearns with award background growing up in a small Columbia (2003). He’s based in conferred by the Canadian Awards Canadian city and the struggle to Kelowna where he teaches animation for Electronic and Animated Arts find one’s identity while being a at the Center of Arts and Technology. (CAEAA). (J. C. Stearns photo, half-minority. It features a character His previous short animated films, 2006) called ‘Super Nip’ - the first ever ‘The horror of Kindergarten’ (2001) in 2007. ❁ hapa superhero. The film has not and ‘Kip and Kyle’ (2000) have both only won critical praise, but Jeff been screened at festivals around the Footnotes himself has become an international world and appeared on the CBC. 1 http://www.najc.ca/thenandnow/ spokesperson for hapa issues, ap- Jeff’s next project is called ‘One today.php pearing on television, print and radio Big Hapa Family’, an animated DVD copies of ‘What Are You Any- as well as lecturing at universities and documentary that “explores the lives ways’ are sold at the Nikkei Museum conferences. of children of all ages who are a prod- and Heritage Centre’s gift shop. Cop- This film and Jeff’s work is par- uct of mixed-race marriages and how ies can also be ordered through Jeff’s ticularly important for the Japanese they perceive themselves as global website: www.meditatingbunny.com Canadian community because a citizens.” It’s scheduled for release Japanese Canadian National Museum: Winter 2006 Highlights by Tim Savage At the JCNM gallery the exhibi- players Mickey Maikawa and Mike March 31, Delta Museum will hold a tion Uprooted: A Journey of Japanese Maruno attended the opening recep- reunion for former residents of Delta, Canadian Fishing Families opened tion along with the show’s curator Sunbury, Deas Island, Westham January 9, continuing through April Grace Eiko Thomson, Asahi histo- Island, Annieville, Strawberry Hill, 28. JCNM is the first venue in the rian Pat Adachi, and many fans and Kennedy, Ladner, Tsawwassen and Gulf of Georgia Cannery National family of former players. The JCCC surrounding areas. Historic Site’s traveling exhibit of presented Asahi Day on February 17 JCNM touring exhibition Shash- the show. Thanks to Gulf of Georgia with Ken Noma, Mel Tsuji (nephew in: Japanese Canadian Studio Pho- staff and volunteers who installed of Asahi Roy Yamamura) and Frank tography to 1942 is at the Museum it. Watch for related program events Moritsugu. in Campbell River during February- planned for March and April. A compact version of JCNM ex- April 2007. On January 11, the JCNM exhi- hibition Reshaping Memory, Owning On January 20 a memorial ser- bition Levelling the Playing Field History: Through the Lens of Japa- vice for Tommy Shoyama was held opened its national tour at the Gendai nese Canadian Redress is on display in Victoria with the members of the Gallery in the Toronto Japanese Ca- at Delta Museum and Archives until board of directors and staff represent- nadian Cultural Centre and continu- July 14, along with an exhibit about ing the National Nikkei Museum ing through March 14. Former Asahi local Japanese Canadian history. On and Heritage Centre. The Museum 20 and Centre mourn the passing of a stilts, hanafuda, kiai contest and an David Oppenheimer, Kwayhquit- great friend and advisor. Thank you exciting Rock Paper Scissors tourna- lum, and Second Street Commu- to all who have made donations in ment. Thanks to all the volunteers for nity School. Thanks to the dedicated his memory. making it a success. volunteers who keep coming every The JCNM hosted the third an- This winter a number of week to help with this well-received nual Jan Ken Pon! Family Games groups visited the National Nikkei program. on February 10. This year’s event Museum and Heritage Centre includ- For more information on JCNM featured over twenty traditional ing seniors from Burnaby Edmonds programs please telephone 604 777 Japanese heritage games and toys. Community Centre, UBC Women’s 7000, or visit www.jcnm.ca. or www There was lots of fun with spinning Heritage Club and several school nikkieplace.org ❁ tops, kami-fusen balloons, pokkuri groups including Stratford Hall, Nitobe Memorial Garden by Christine Kondo A quiet oasis in a busy univer- shrub. Some maple and cherry trees (Phone 604-224-1560 for details. sity campus, the Nitobe Memorial and most of the azaleas and iris were http://urasenke.org/) Garden was opened in The garden honours 1960 for the University Dr. Inazo Nitobe (1862- of British Columbia’s 1933), an agriculturalist, Botanical Garden and statesman and educator Plant Research Centre. who devoted much of Today it’s considered his life to promoting one of the most authen- trust and understanding tic Japanese tea and between Japan and North stroll gardens in North America. America. Nitobe was educat- Created out of two-and- ed in both Japan and the a-half acres of red cedar U.S. Early on in his life and Douglas fir forest, at Tokyo University he the garden’s paths are decided to study English designed to suggest the literature as well as agri- passing of time, wheth- cultural administration. er a day, a season, or a When a professor in the lifetime. Upon entering The Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC is considered one of the department of literature the garden through the finest Japanese gardens outside of Japan. The garden’s paths asked Nitobe why he and bridges are designed to suggest the passing of time. (C, wanted to study English Gate House, visitors Kondo photo, 2006) can take a pamphlet for literature, he famously a self-guided tour. brought from Japan. The creation of replied, “It is because I hope to be Meticulously designed and main- the garden also coincided with the a bridge across the Pacific Ocean.”1 tained, the garden’s landscapes are founding of the Vancouver Japanese The next year Nitobe left Japan to infused with a tranquil harmony. The Gardeners Association. finish his studies in the U.S. at John natural elements of forest, waterfalls, The Nitobe Memorial Garden’s Hopkins University in Baltimore. rivers, islands, seas and rocks are ceremonial Tea House Ichibō-an (hut Among the six water-crossings at incorporated and visitors see many of sweeping view) is equipped with the Nitobe Memorial Garden, the changing landscapes while wander- all the elements needed for chadō 77-log bridge is symbolic of Nitobe’s ing along the path. (way of tea) ceremony: a waiting desire to be this “bridge across the In 1959, Professor Kannosuke room (machiai), outer garden (soto Pacific.” Mori of Chiba University, a land- roji), waiting bench (koshikake ma- While attending the Banff Con- scape architect, at the recommenda- chiai), middle gate (chūmon), inner ference of the Institute of Pacific tion of the government of Japan, was garden (uchi roji), main tearoom Relations in 1933, Nitobe fell ill and appointed to design the garden. He ( hon seki) and preparation room later died at Royal Jubilee Hospital supervised the development of the (mizuya). The Urasenke Foundation in Victoria on October 15. In his garden and personally directed the of Vancouver hosts tea ceremonies at last speech at the conference Nitobe placement of each tree, stone and the garden throughout the summer. Continued on page 22 21 said, “We are now liv- with this spirit of under- ing in a world of great standing and search for events, the magnitude of peace visitors can con- which is unsurpassed in template while strolling the annals of mankind. the paths or resting on Man’s mind is torn with a bench at the Nitobe grave apprehensions and Memorial Garden. ❁ his heart is stirred by The Nitobe Memo- disquieting emotions. rial Garden is located In the tradition of my at Gate 4 at the UBC country it is a custom for campus on Northwest wise men at such times Marine Drive. Open to retire for a while from daily from early-March the arena of active life to mid-October. Phone and seek the solitude 604-822-6038 or www. of hills for meditation. nitobe.org for details. Under the influence of The Nitobe Memorial Garden’s pond is stocked with colourful koi such ideal environment, fish. The garden contains numerous stone lanterns, all carefully Footnotes 1 we may possibly be able placed. (C. Kondo photo, 2006) The Life of Nitobe to dissociate ourselves Inazo by Uchikawa Ei- from individual biases and sink our the new searching of hearts with the ichiro, Morioka Nitobe Society, national differences and attend to detachment of a philosopher.”1 It is 1988. February 2007 Nikkei Place Update by Cathy Makihara February is the shortest month opportunities from the community’s heritage, history and culture. In Feb- and the one where our work has development of housing and health ruary, Jan Ken Pon, the 3rd annual day started to bear fruit. care, and by the advances in social, of Japanese Heritage Games was held The highlight this month is the historical, and cultural education for the children in all of us. Taiken, public announcement naming the programs. This year, we’ll be asking the educational and cultural program 585 donors who gave gen- for students will continue to erously in 2006 to the Na- run with students taking part tional Nikkei Museum and in a day program equivalent Heritage Centre. Thank to a cultural extravaganza. you very much for the sup- The National Nikkei Mu- port and for blessing our seum and Heritage Cen- organization with the abil- tre invite you to visit the ity to create programs for Museum’s visiting exhibit, Canadians, the new gen- “Uprooted – A Journey of eration of yonsei and gosei Japanese Canadian Fishing children, and to Nikkei. As Families”, which traces fami- an organization, we will be lies in the fishing industry as Jiro Kamiya with great granddaughter Kimi at Keirokai working to make our com- they built communities in 2007. (J. Greenaway photo, 2007) munity and our country a Canada. This is your chance better place. We also ask that you ourselves, what will our community to witness the legacy these Japanese consider expanding your support by be like for the new generations. Canadian fishing families have left giving to the Nikkei Place Founda- Therefore, in 2007, in addition to for us and to contemplate what we tion which is an organization we have our fiscal responsibility, our second will leave for our children. created to manage an endowment for great responsibility will be to our We ask for your continued support Nikkei Place. children and grandchildren and to and help in making the National Nik- Our community has been fortunate honor them by passing along our kei Museum and Heritage Centre the in recent time -- by the expansion of best it can be. ❁

22 Kenzo Mori by Sakuya Nishimura Mr.Kenzo Mori, the former chief editor and the CANADIAN and later became the president, a position president of THE NEW CANADIAN passed away in he held until retiring in 1990. THE NEW CANADIAN Toronto on Jan. 4, 2007. He was a nisei, born in Van- printed news in Japanese when little printed material was couver on January 25, 1914. After graduating from the available to issei and nisei in this language. Mori wanted Japanese High School in Shiga Prefecture in Japan, he Japanese Canadians to be proud of their heritage. He once came back to Vancouver and worked while studying at said he had never gone to a steak restaurant before World the University British Columbia. He worked as a news War II. He also said reporters should always be hungry, reporter of TAIRIKU NIPPO and CANADA SHINPO mentally and physically. He received the Japanese Order for several years before World War II. In 1948, he went and the Jubilee Award from the Queen. His wife Iwao to Toronto and started working as a reporter for the NEW survives him. ❁ バンクーバー暴動 西村 咲弥 今年はパウエル街で起きた、いわゆるバンク 侵されることに抵抗を感じていた。 ーバー暴動から百年目にあたる。暴動は一日に １９０７年２月、米政府は、ハワイ、カナダ、メキ して起きるものではない。何年もの間に積もった シコから米本土への移動を禁止したので、ハワイ ストレスの暴発によるものだった。 ２０世紀のは で米本土にわたろうと待機していた人たちが、大 じめ、スチーブストンでは日系と白人の漁師の間 勢カナダへやってきた。この年、バンクーバーに で争いが絶えず、日系人漁師を締め出そうという 寄航した船にのってきた日系人の数は次のとうり 雰囲気が次第に強まってきた。 これより前の１８ であった。 ８１－５年にかけてＣＰＲは大陸横断鉄道建設の ４月２３日 船名不明 ２９４名 ため、中国から１５００人の労働者を連れてきた ５月１３日 モンタラ号 ２２３ 7月 ６日 が、工事完了後、これらの中国人がカナダに残 チョッペリ号 ２４１ るのを防ぐために、彼らの入国に際して、今、問 ７月２４日 クメリック号 １１７７ 題になっている人頭税を徴収した。日本人が人 ８月１８日 インデイア号 ３０６ 頭税から逃れたのは、当時 日英間に通商条約 ９月１８日 “ ２９３ や軍事条約が結ばれていたので、英国の影響の 計２５３４名 これに学生、商人、その 強かったカナダは日本人の権利を認めざるをえ 他を加えると、8000人あまり。しかし、このうち３６ なかったからであった。 １９名は一ヶ月以内にアメリカに渡った。 当時、Ｂ．Ｃ．州はナタール法というものを作 7月末に入港した英国船クメリック号が千名 った。語学の試験に合格した者のみを移民として受 余のカナダ入国者を乗せていることを知った数千 け入れるというもので、Ｂ．Ｃ．州議会は１９００年にこ 名の白人労働者が２４日夜、会議を開き、その入 れを可決したが、連邦政府の反対にあって廃棄され 国を阻止しようとした。そしてシアトルからきたア た。しかし、Ｂ．Ｃ．州はなんとかしてこれを国に認めさ ジア人排斥会のメンバーの提案でできたバンク せようとして１９０２－８年の間に５回、連邦政府に提 ーバー アジア人排斥会のメンバー２０００人が 出し、５回とも否決された。そのころアメリカでは１９０ ５年５月にカリホルニアでアジア人排斥会ができて、 ９月７日（土）の午後７時からデモ行進をすること ７－８万の会員と４－５０万のシンパをかかえ、オレゴ にした。この会員の中にはバンクーバー市長、弁 ン、ワシントン、モンタナ、アイダホの各州に広がって 護士、政治家、牧師、労働組合員などが含まれ いった。１９０７年にはシアトル アジア人排斥会の提 ていた。 案でバンクーバーにもこの会の支部が この日、キャンビーグラウンドに集まった約５ でき、１ヶ月ごには会員数は２０００人に達した。 ０００人が“白人のカナダのために”と書いた小旗 当時からＢ．Ｃ．州はカナダの政治的中心地 を持って行進を始めた。一行はジョウジア通りに から遠く、孤立していた。東部からＢ．Ｃ．州に移 でて、グランビルで右折し、ヘーステイングで再 動してくるカナダ人は、ワスプの多い東部には住 び右折し、当時メインにあった市役所にゆくコー みにくい、どちらかといえば教育程度の低い人た スをとった。市役所につくと、会の主なメンバーだ ちが多かった。彼らはカナダの僻地であるＢ．Ｃ． けが中に入って会議を開き、フレーザー神学博 州で、漁師か、きこり、または鉱山ででも働こうと 士が提案した、次の案を議決した。 いう人たちだった。だから東部から来た白人たち 。１９０７年のナタール法を連邦政府に承認さ にとっては、東洋人に自分たちの仕事の領分を せること。 Continued on page 24 23 。これが不可能な場合は、州知事が皆の前で そこには警官と消防団員がホースをもって待ち 東洋人排斥を誓うこと かまえていたので、あきらめて皆帰途についた。 。今後シアトルのアジア人排斥会と緊密な連 翌日はなにも起こらず、９日の月曜日にアレキサ 絡をとること ンダーの日本語学校に白人が放火したが、発見 市役所に入れなかったデモ隊のうち、約１００ が早くすぐ消しとめた。この日１８８３年以来日本 名がペンダーの中国人街の方へ流れてゆき、商 人を大勢雇っていたヘースチングス製材所も放 店のガラスを割って気勢をあげた。次はジャップ 火された。 をやっつけようという声が出て，一行はパウエル この暴動で被害を受けた日系人の家は５６ 街に向かった。メインとパウエルの角に川崎兄弟 軒。オタワの能勢総領事はカナダ政府に損害賠 の経営する大きな乾物屋があったが、暴徒の投 償をもとめた結果、カナダ政府は損害を実地調 石でひどくやられた。当時の日本人街はパウエ 査して補償額を決める一方、今回の暴動の原因 ルの２００－４００番地辺りだったが、暴徒は両側 を分析する委員会をつくった。補償金は日本側に の店のガラスを全部割って５００番地の方へぬけ ９０３６ドル、中国側に約１０万ドルと決定した。委 た． 員会は、暴動の原因はアジア系人が増えすぎて 日系人たちは第二次攻撃に備えて自衛体制 いることであると報告、日系移民制限案を提案し を整えた。９月上旬だったので，漁期が終わって た結果、１９０８年に日本人のカナダ移民数を年 パウエル街に戻ってきていた若者たちが、石やレ 間４００人に制限するレミュー協定ができた。この ンガをもって屋根にあがり、女性は握り飯をつくっ レミュー協定は、そのごの日系人社会の発展に た。二度目の襲撃は夜の九時半ごろであったが 大きな影響を与えたが、その導火線となったのが メインとパウエルの曲がり角で待ち構えていた若 このバンクーバー暴動だった。❁ 者たちの投石で白人２人が負傷したため、暴徒 References たちは驚いて退散した。また警官たちが石を投げ 参考文献；オードリー小林：パウエル街散歩、 ないようにと説得、馬に乗ったＲＣＭＰがバリケー 1992,NRC Publishing, Vancouver ドをつくり、群集を立ち入れないようにした。した 新保 満：日本の移民―日系カナダ人にみられ がって暴徒はパウエル街に入れなかった。再び た排斥と適応 １９７７、評論社、東京 中国人街を襲った暴徒はその後オッペンハイマ Ito, Roy. Stories of My People. 1994 Promark ー公園で一休みしていた。 Printing このとき集会を終えた排斥会の主なメンバー 新保満：石もて追わるるごとく、１９７５、大陸時報 がこれを見て“解散、解散”と叫んだが、暴徒はこ 社 れを無視して中国人街にはいろうとした。しかし、 The list of new and renewing members of the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre from November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007 Mrs. Kikue Akitaya Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hirose Mr. & Mrs. Bill McKee Ms. Yuko Shibata Ms. Makiko Asano Ms. Eileen Hirota Ms. Joan Miki Mr. & Mrs. Kenji Shibata Ms. Sara Buechner & Ms. Mr. & Mrs. Roy Honda Mr. & Mrs. Richard Minato Mrs. Emiko Amy Shikaze Kayoko Segawa Dr. & Mrs. Akira Horii Mr. & Mrs. Tom Miyanaga Mr. & Mrs. Ben Shikaze Mr. Guy Champoux & Ms. Mr. & Mrs. Kazumasa Hoshino Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Morishita Dr. & Mrs. Kazumi & Yurika Reiko Okubo Mr. Keith Hutchinson Mr. & Mrs. Dan Nakagawa Shintani Mr. & Mrs. William Chang Mrs. Kimiko Inouye Mr. & Mrs. Yukio Nasu Debra Suzuki Mr. Hamish Cumming & Ms. Mr. Hajime Inouye Mr. & Mrs. Brian Nasu Ms. Hitomi Suzuta Emiko Ando Mrs. Mieko Iwaki Mr. & Mrs. Hideo Nishi Mr. & Mrs. Ken Takahashi Mr. & Mrs. Michael Davis Mr. & Mrs. Don Iwanaka Mr. & Mrs. Shoji Nishihata Mr. Mike Takahashi Mr. & Mrs. Steve Enomoto Mrs. Tomiko Jowett Mr. & Mrs. Harry Nishimura Mrs. Etsuko Takata Mr. Kiyo Goto Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Kadota Grace Nishimura Mr. Charles Tasaka Mrs. Susan Gratton Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kamiya Mr. Yutaka Ed. Ogawa Ms. Susan Tennant Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hamade Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kariya Mr. Yuji Ohara Mrs. Kay Terai Ms. Aiko Hamakawa Mrs. Yoshi Katagiri Dr. Mona Oikawa Mr. & Mrs. William Umezuki Ms. Taeko Hamakawa Mr. & Mrs. Peter Katsuno Ms. Lorene Oikawa Mrs. Akiko Wakabayashi Mr. & Mrs. Hiro Hasebe Mr. & Mrs. Tosh Kitagawa Mrs. Setsuko Okabe Mrs. & Mrs. John Wakita Mr. & Mrs. Ken Hasebe & Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kobrle Mr. Rudolph F. Penitsch Ms. Shirley Witherow Erika Hasebe-Ludt Lorna Koyanagi Mrs. Laurel Pruyn Mr. & Mrs. David Yamaura Dr. & Mrs. James Hasegawa Mrs. Chiyoko Kubo Mr, Ken Sakamoto Mr. & Mrs. Fukashi Yasui Ms. Jennifer Hashimoto Mr. & Mrs. Ron MacQueen Mr. & Mrs. Bunji Sakiyama Ms. Margaret Yoshida Mr. Yoshiyuki Hayashi Mrs. Dorothy Matsune Mr. & Mrs. Noboru Sakiyama 24