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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.

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