Nikkei Images

National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre Newsletter ISSN#1203-9017 Winter 2003, Vol. 8, No. 4 Haru Moriyama’s Reminiscences of Oshogatsu in Mission by Fumi Tamagi Toyoki and I decided that for and often neighbours and friends the of the children we should helped to make the day a special move to a larger center where they occasion. Toyoki built a large outdoor could get a better education. We cooking pit. About three boxes of moved to a rented house in Mission washed rice were layered on City, which was located only a short top of a huge cauldron full of boiling distance from the Mission water to be steamed. The wooden Elementary School. Toyoki found a boxes had holes drilled in them so that job at P. Bain’s No. 2 Camp at steam could pass through. A clean Dewdney. He came home only when cloth was placed over the holes so he could hitch a ride. In those days that the rice did not fall through. Of everyone did not own cars as we do course, the bottom layer was ready today. The farmers here owned to be pounded first. Watching to trucks, but very few owned make sure that the rice was taken “passenger” cars. Seiji Tashiro was off at the right moment took a lot of one of the first Mission Japanese to kibitzing. The steamed rice was buy a car. placed in the homemade usu We had a family named the (pounding block), a large stump with Haru Moriyama in her retirement Hammonds as neighbours. They were a hollowed out part that served as a years. (Fumi Tamagi photo, 1982) a large family and our children and “bowl”. The men took turns pounding the pounding had to be consistent and the Hammond children became good with the kine (a large wooden mallet) often the bystanders chanted 2/2 friends. Mrs. Hammond was a kindly while the women took turns adding expressions to add to the fun. When German lady who introduced me to the necessary water and turning the the rice was pounded to the right many western dishes. She taught me rice frequently. This took expertise consistency - a sticky, gooey ball, it how to cook dumplings, fruitcake, as the pounding continued while the was placed on a well floured doughnuts, buns and bread to name turner did her job without getting her (cornstarch) table to be formed into a few. I remember I used Royal yeast hands pounded too. The rhythm of Continued on page 2 then. Although I could not speak Contents English, my children served as Haru Moriyama’s Reminiscences of Oshogatsu in Mission 1 interpreters and with much gesturing New Year Celebrations in the Thirties 4 and laughing, Mrs. Hammond and I Shogatsu Celebrations in Tokyo During the 1930s 5 The Japanese Sword Collection of Yoshimaru Abe 6 managed to communicate well. Ethnic Expectations 8 Mochitsuki (rice cake Friends of East Lillooet Reunion September 12 & 13, 2003 9 pounding) is a traditional ritual that Steveston Buddhist Temple 75th Anniversary Celebration 10 most pioneer Japanese families Mission Long Overdue 12 observed at the end of each year in Nikkei Week 2003 Summary 14 JCNM Manager/Curator’s Report 16 preparation for the New Year’s My Dad and the Canadian Fishing Company 17 season. Mochi-tsuki day was a big Shining Light 18 event. Every member of the family Victoria Japanese Community at April 22, 1942 20 1 small, biscuit-shaped mochi. Some of Japan. Washed mochi rice is put in Announcements the mochi was eaten hot and soft the bowl, automatically cooked and Breakfast with Santa fresh from the usu, flavoured with pounded to perfection and mochi Saturday, December 13, 2003 either a mixture of sugar and soy comes out ready to be formed into 9:00-10:30 and 11:00-12:30 Children under 12 - $2.50, Adults -$4.00 sauce or a sweet bean paste filling. cakes. This continuous process Most of the mochi was dried and machine is convenient, but all the Mochitsuki stored for later use. fun of mochi-making has been Saturday, December 27, 2003 Mochi was used in the taken away. Simpler still - most 12:30 - 15:30 traditional New Year’s breakfast. On people now buy mochi nicely NNMHC New Year’s morning, Toyoki wrapped in plastic. JCNM Lecture Series expected every member of the family We continued the tradition January 20, 2004 to be dressed and at the table bright of placing a two-layered mochi Tenney Homma and early for a formal exchange of stack in front of the family altar “Researching Your Family History” greetings. (The traditional New every New Year’s. Large mochi February 19, 2004 Year’s greeting included a thank-you cakes were made for this purpose. May Komiyama “A History of the Japanese in the United for last year’s help and cooperation, A mandarin orange was placed on Church of Canada” and a request for the same to continue top of this stack. This okagami, I during the present year. The am told, is partly religious, but March 16, 2004 Midge Ayukawa expression ai-kawalazu was used. mostly just decorative and festive. “Japanese Picture Brides” This term literally means “without a Toyoki always placed two change in love”.) Toyoki expected small evergreen trees (kado-matsu everyone to eat at least one bowl of or literally entrance pine) one on Nikkei Images is published by ozoni (a type of soup). I usually used each side of the front door. In the National Nikkei Museum katsuo (dried bonito flakes) to make Japan, the kado-matsu is usually and Heritage Centre Society the soup. I added such as placed at the front entrance on New carrots, , gobo (burdock), Year’s Day. Originally pine, Editorial Committee: bamboo shoots, Japanese bamboo and plum were used. Sho- Stanley Fukawa, Grace Hama, mushrooms and seaweed. The soup Chiku-Bai or pine-bamboo-plum Frank Kamiya, Mitsuo Yesaki, was flavoured with a bit of soy are symbolic of the good wishes Carl Yokota sauce. I added the mochi cakes, given at a special celebration. The which absorbed the flavours and pine has a good root system, many Subscription to Nikkei Images cooked to a nice soft consistency. branches and good foliage. Thus, is free with your yearly I remember how I warned the the pine symbolizes a wish for a membership to NNMHCS: children to eat slowly so as not to flourishing family. The bamboo is a Family $25 choke on the mochi. Most of us straight, tall tree with a good root Individual $20 loved ozoni, but I am sure some of system. It does not break when Senior/Student $15 the children would have preferred blown and it propagates well. The Senior Couple $20 a breakfast of porridge, toast and bamboo, too, symbolizes a stable, Non-profit Association $50 eggs. flourishing family. The plum is a long Corporate $100 Dried mochi kept well. lasting tree with dainty blossoms $1 per copy for non-members Weeks later, we would enjoy mochi that has a lovely scent. The plum served in various ways. Mochi symbolizes longevity and all that is NIKKEI PLACE cakes were often heated in a hot lovely and good. 6688 Southoaks Crescent, oven until soft and puffy. This We invited the Hammonds Burnaby, B.C., V5E 4M7 Canada served with sugar and for New Year’s. They were tel: (604) 777-7000 was considered a tasty teatime impressed with our suzuri buta. The fax: (604) 777-7001 treat. Sometimes hot mochi cakes suzuri buta was made on special [email protected] were coated with sweetened occasions. It consists of a large tray www.jcnm.ca soybean flour. with food arranged in an artistic Today many people of manner. A small evergreen branch Japanese origin prepare mochi in stuck in a holder (usually a chunk of an electrical device imported from potato or daikon served this 2 represented old age, as they seemed to be bent with age. We always enjoyed makizushi (rolled ). Makizushi was made by rolling flavoured rice jellyroll-style with seaweed or . I placed five different ingredients in the center. These were usually eggs, barbecued unagi (eel), shitake (Japanese mushroom), kampyo (type of marrow) and flaked fish, which was coloured red. Sometimes for variety I used spinach or celery. The makizushi was cut and arranged with cut side up. Ginger, which was coloured red, was slivered and arranged as a garnish for this dish. Five items were used in the centre of the makizushi as the odd numbers are considered lucky numbers. It would be considered a faux pas to use four items for example. Four was especially avoided as the word “four” in Japanese is shi, which is the word for “death” as well. Little superstitions like this dictated many set procedures for the Japanese housewife. We also always had inarizushi, flavoured rice stuffed into age bags. Age is made from soybeans. We bought and age from a family who made them as a business. Another type of rice dish Oshogatsu table laden with many Japanese dishes in the Tamagi home. Haru’s consisted of rice steamed with family continues her tradition of celebrating New Year’s with a sumptuous dinner. azuki (red beans) and shaped like (Fumi Tamagi photo, ca. 1990) a cherry blossom or other geometric purpose) was placed in the center. also always had a whole baked fish. shapes with special presses. This represented the forest or The baked fish was eased carefully Nishime was another favourite mountain. Five items of food were on top of a bed of lettuce, garnished dish. This consisted of a arranged all around the “mountain”. with parsley and proudly placed at combination of various vegetables Foods such as sliced (fish the head of the table. This dish was cooked with soy sauce, sliced fish cake), sliced yokan (sweet bean called kashira-tsuki or literally cake, “knotted” seaweed, age, and dessert) and shrimps were all time “head attached”. I think the many other things. Some of the favourites. The shrimps were placed Japanese fussed as much about the vegetables were quite exotic. on the lower, outer edges of the tray appearance of a dish as the taste. Besides carrots, green beans, as this area represented the sea. Mr. I often had a dish including daikon and such ordinary Hammond remarked that “the tray” cooked soybeans. Beans are called vegetables, I usually had things like

was too beautiful to eat. mame, which also means “healthy”. Japanese mushrooms and bamboo The suzuri buta served as Shrimps were used to wish shoots. Manju (Japanese pastry the centerpiece for the table. We everyone longevity. Shrimps Continued on page 4 3 with a bean paste center) was also family a Happy New Year. The of a gully. They were our steamed or baked in great quantity. suzuri buta had to be replenished neighbours again years later in We also had mochi. or often and the sake heated in small Alberta. The Amemoris were our sliced raw fish (usually tuna) was bottles was served freely. All the Cedar Valley neighbours and are considered a delicacy. This was men of the village seemed to end now living in Mission City. Others served with grated (a type the day at our place. Toyoki was a included Mr. Inouye, newly married of horseradish), grated ginger or hot good host and the life of any party. Mitsuo Amemoris, Tashiros, mustard and soy sauce. In later How I remember the gay times. Yanoshitas and many more. The years many of our white friends Everyone took turns singing folk first Mrs. Yanoshita passed away developed a taste for this dish and songs from his own native ken after a long illness about this time. ate with as much gusto as the (province) in Japan. Others joined I remember how sad we all were. Japanese. Some of my children and in with much hand clapping and a grandchildren, however, still feel interjections. Some even got up to This article was extracted leery about trying sashimi. There give an impromptu display of folk from a longer treatise by Fumi were many other exotic foods as dancing. Mr. Taise, who celebrated Tamagi entitled, “Rambling well. Eating certainly was an his 106th birthday this spring (1982), Reminiscences of Haru important part of any Japanese was one of the better dancers. Moriyama” in the Japanese celebration. I remember some of the Canadian National Museum It was traditional for the people from this period with archives. Fumi Tamagi men to go from house to house on nostalgia. The Hayashis lived a graciously consented to NIKKEI New Year’s Day to wish every block or so away on the other side IMAGES reprinting this article. New Year Celebrations in the Thirties by Midge Ayukawa 700 block of East , I made it—until I realized that I was Vancouver. The neighbourhood was the only one that ate it!) very cosmopolitan in the thirties and As for our New Year’s food the Japanese families were scattered — my mother had attended jogakko among those of Italian, Ukrainian, and regularly read shufunotomo (a English and Scandinavian roots. woman’s magazine) and was thus Several days before the end very knowledgeable about oshogatsu of the year some of the Japanese food. I believe that although she men in the neighbourhood would continued many of her village (now gather at our house to pound mochi. part of Onomichi, Hiroshima-ken) My mother not only steamed the rice customs such as cleaning the house but she was the one who turned over thoroughly, insisting that we all bathe and patted the rice while two men before mid-night, and allowing us to rhythmically took turns pounding. stay up to welcome the new year, the Some of the mochi was rolled out food she prepared was very and later cut up, some were made elaborate. She cooked for days and into layered mounds set before the set the dishes out in the beautiful shrine, and others were filled with layered boxes that she brought out azuki-an. We loved toasted mochi only for New Year’s. She left them seasoned with sugar and shoyu. behind when we were sent to the An annual treat was the Slocan Valley. I often wonder where Midge dressed for festivities with her yokan that seemed to take days to they are now. younger brother, Kazuo. (Midge make. The azuki beans were slowly By the time I stumbled out Ayukawa photo, 1939) cooked, the liquid was squeezed out into the dining-room on New Year’s Childhood memories of New through a coarse cotton bag, then morning, the table was already set Year’s celebrations—some are vivid, cooked again with kanten [agar- with plates of makizushi and others need to be pried out of my sub- agar] and then left to set in a flat pan. agezushi. The layered boxes were conscious. Yet, how typical they are To me, it was the ultimate treat! filled with the traditional black beans, I don’t know. My family lived on the (After I had my own family, for years small fishes, etc. There was goboh, 4 rolled black kelp, and renkon (lotus stashed goodies in it. Recently I because sake did not loosen my roots). For us children there were discovered traces of a chocolate bar father’s tongue; on the contrary, it slices of Japanese bologna (Does in one! made him sleepy. My mother was anyone remember them? They were My father was a bit of a always SO prim and proper too! about two inches in diameter, pink and loner and did not like the traditional I wonder how many nisei smooth with a tough skin you had to calls that men were expected to make have continued celebrating New peel off.), kamaboko with red or to friends’ homes. He preferred to Year’s the way our parents did? My green on the top rather than the usual stay home and relax. I often heard husband and I for years in Ottawa brown, sliced boiled eggs, etc. my mother urging him to go to at least held Open House and served sake I don’t recall what my older —, and —, and —‘s homes. and our own “anglised” version of brothers wore on New Year’s day nor When people came to call, I Japanese New Year’s food. Some of what they did—I think they went to found quite comical the sight of my our guests came and went, while a movie downtown—but for me, it mother’s head bobbing up and down others stayed all day—lunch, supper was the one and only day when my while she murmured a lot of “mumbo- and evening snack, until their children mother dressed me in my beautiful jumbo” (to me). After countless bows were ready for bed! Those who silk kimono with brocaded obi. I had the guests sat down, sipped warm came, eyed the strange food, and just a nisei girl-friend who had a similar sake and ate. People were quite picked up a celery stick were not kimono and we spent our day running sedate and somber at my place, but invited back the following year! back and forth in our zori between at my friend’s I noticed that there Many grew to love sushi years our houses which were half a block was a great deal of singing, laughing, before it became common restaurant apart. We thought the sleeves of our and animated talk. Why? Perhaps fare! a kimonos were great “pockets” and Shogatsu Celebrations in Tokyo During the 1930s by Sakuya Nishimura When my father and mother bouquet with a rope of rice straw. Year) and sipped tosa wine. Tosa married in Tokyo about 80 years ago, The deliveryman from the rice shop was prepared on New Year’s Eve by both were already orphans. brought several large slabs of mochi, adding several Chinese dried herbs Therefore, my parents did not live the which my mother cut while still soft to , which is a sweet beverage traditional Japanese way, but instead into many smaller pieces. He also used as a seasoning. Tosa containers adopted a more western style of brought two round okagami mochi. are tea-pot shaped china decorated living. For example, we did not have The okagami mochi were stacked in gold and black colours, usually of tatami rooms in our home. and topped with a mandarin orange cranes and pines. A tosa set consists After I started elementary and then placed on a sheet of white of the container and three cups; a school, I learned from my friends of paper and green leaves in the shoe small, medium and large cup with the many Japanese customs so I asked cupboard at the house entrance. same pattern as the container. my mother if we could also follow Okagami mochi are usually placed The New Year’s breakfast these traditions. My mother made a in the family altar, but our family did consisted of ozoni soup with mochi great effort to oblige and we began not have one. and a variety of foods in the jubaco. to observe these customs. For supper on New Year’s Jubaco foods were eaten for Consequently, I am able to relate how Eve, we ate toshikoshi breakfast until the third day of the ordinary people celebrated New (buckwheat noodle) to ensure long new year. There are many recipes Year’s Day in Tokyo during the lives. After supper, some people for ozoni soup, with a different recipe 1930s. went to a shrine or temple to pray for each region of Japan. For Preparations for New and to herald in a happy new year example, Tokyo people make a clear Year’s Day began in the middle of while others went to the seaside or soup with chicken, dried mushrooms, December with a general cleaning of top of a mountain to view the first kamaboko (fish cake), mitsuba the house and grounds. After sunrise of the new year. (green leaves) and mochi, cut square Christmas, kadomatsu were placed On New Year’s morning, we and lightly baked. People in Kagawa at the gate. Our regular gardener put on new clothes, sat down for Prefecture, Shikoku, make a white made the kadomatsu by binding pine, breakfast and said “Akemashite soup with daikon, carrots, taro, bamboo and plum branches into a Omedeto Gozaimasu” (Happy New Continued on page 6 5 seaweed and mochi, round and not before December 20th to ensure kagami mochi and crushed them to baked. On the other hand, people in delivery on New Year’s Day. On make oshiruko, a sweet black bean Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture make a New Year’s night, people put a soup. January 15th was koshogatsu clear soup ozoni with chicken, picture of a treasure ship under their when people ate red bean gruel to carrots, daikon, taro root, pillow to ensure a wonderful dream. ensure a good harvest that year. After kamaboko, baked square-cut mochi, On the second day of the World War II, this day was with some green leaves and salmon New Year, children wrote some designated as Seijin no Hi, or coming roe sprinked on top. happy words on a large piece of of age day. Youths attaining the age The jubaco consists of four paper with a new brush and sumi ink. of 20, dress up and go to a shrine to lacquer, stacking boxes. Housewives This is called kakizome, the first report they have come of age. In prepared a variety of dishes to fill writing of the year. Merchants Japan most office workers have these containers before New Year’s brought new merchandise (hatsuni) three days of holidays and begin Day so that they did not have to cook with red banners advertising work on January 4th. Certain groups for the first few days of the new year. “hatsuni”. The kadomatsu was have their own special celebrations. The first box usually contained hors removed on January 6th signifying the For instance, tea ceremony masters d’oeuvres including kinton (sweet official end of New Year’s select an auspicious day in January potatoes), kamaboko, kuromame celebrations. However, there were a for their Hatsugana, the first day of (cooked black soy beans), datemaki lot of other events in January. the tea ceremony. (egg), etc. The second box contained Before World War II, During World War II and Japanese salad (namasu) of daikon firefighters were mostly volunteers. until the end of the 1950s, there was and carrots and the third box held They gathered in front of the firehall insufficient food, clothing and shelter roasted fish, usually tai (snapper). on January 5th and demonstrated to for people to maintain their traditional The last box contained cooked the populace how the firefighters customs. A generation grew up during vegetables including taro, carrots, raised the ladders, climbed to the top the war without these traditional dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and performed acrobatic acts, such customs so many of these customs etc. as standing with one hand on top of were lost. People living in large cities After New Year’s Day the ladder. This demonstration was like Tokyo today prefer western life breakfast, children played karuta called Dezome Shiki, the first styles. Also, many people live in (cards), hanetsuki (badminton), ceremony of the year. On January condominiums and townhouses and takoage (kites), etc. The mailman 7th, people ate rice gruel with mochi have no place to put a kadomatsu. delivered greeting cards on the and seven types of green Most people now seldom cook and morning of New Year’s Day. Most leaves. This day is called nana kusa, prefer to buy prepared Japanese people sent the greeting cards to that is seven vegetable leaves. On foods from department stores. a relatives, friends, customers, etc. January 11th, people removed the The Japanese Sword Collection of Yoshimaru Abe by Sakuya Nishimura Yoshimaru Abe was born in of Hope, where Abe worked as a also built the Japanese gardens every 1914 in Japan and came to Canada firefighter and rescuer. He loved year for the folk festival, a well- with his brothers and sisters when he painting and volunteered with the known Winnipeg event. was 13 years old. The family lived camp theatre group to set up the Abe is one of the leaders of on a farm in Port Hammond, British stage props. the Japanese community in Columbia. Abe went to public school Abe’s parents were Winnipeg. He is one of the editors of for four years and then got a job in a repatriated back to Japan after the TEMBO, a magazine to which he nearby mill, while helping his parents war. In 1947, Abe and his family contributes articles. Abe is also a on their farm. He was 27 years old moved to Winnipeg, where he began well-known collector of Japanese when World War II began. Just to work in construction. Several swords. Someone once asked him before the Japanese were evacuated years later, he and three friends why he collected swords and he from the coast, he married Yoshi established a construction firm, Fuji replied, “the sword comes to the Homma, the daughter of Tomekichi Building Company. This company sword lover”. Abe has fond Homma. The young couple was sent built the official residence of the memories of Japanese swords. He to Tashme, an internment camp east Japanese Consulate in Winnipeg. Abe grew up in a small fishing village in 6 Winnipeg. It was a response to a request by Keenleyside for assistance in procuring a lady’s short sword. Hiraiwa wrote that his uncle, an expert on Japanese swords, was able to locate an excellent mamori- katana or kai-ken. This guardian- or bosom-sword belonged to a female member of Marques Kuroda, a feudal lord in a southern Japanese province. When the owner died, the sword was given to the Buddhist Temple where she was buried. This sword was one of the many treasures of the temple sold years later by a priest desperately in need of money. In the course of time, the sword passed through several hands, and Yoshimaru Abe examining one of his swords. (Yoshimaru Abe photo, 1988) was stripped of its valuable Kyushu where his neighbours lived -no name (large sword) ornaments and sold while the blade in a very old samurai house. Only -Minonokuni Jyu Tanba eventually ended up in second-hand an old woman and her grandson lived Kanehisa (large sword) curio shops. in this spacious residence. Abe and -Bishu Osafune, Sukesada (large This mamori-katana the grandson would take out the old sword) belongs to the Bisen School, which swords from the warehouse and they -no name (small sword) was founded by Masamune, the played samurai with them. They -Kanenobu (small sword) acknowledged premier sword-maker imitated the samurai they saw in the -Niwo (small sword) of Japan. One of his noted disciples, movies. -Shimotsuke, Munetsugu (large Motomitsu, probably made this Abe began to collect sword) sword, which is at least 500-years Japanese swords and though his work -Kashu, Kanehisa (large sword) old. The sword was in very poor kept him very busy, he took every -Kanenaga (large sword) shape when found by Hiraiwa’s opportunity to visit antique shops and -Minonokami, Fujiwara Jumyo uncle. He polished and sharpened the auctions. There are many Japanese (large sword) blade, relacquered the sheath and swords in North America, most of -Motomitsu (small sword) replaced some of the ornaments, which are owned by non-Japanese -Kanenami (large sword) which were not as valuable as the with little knowledge about these -Settsu, Kanekuni (small sword) originals would have been. The total artifacts. They were purchased from -no name (small sword) cost of the sword after repairs was destitute Japanese by soldiers during -Kanezane (small sword) 16 yen or 8 dollars. The uncle thought the occupation and brought back to -no name (small sword), ivory that this sword should not be sold for North America. There are more than carved case, Tokugawa crest less than 50 dollars. three thousand swords in the United Abe’s most prized sword Hiraiwa further explained States, of which two-thirds are on the was purchased at an antique auction mamori-katana were carried by west coast. Abe worries that most in Winnipeg. It was a lady’s sword, ladies and not used to commit suicide of these swords are not cared for very old, 43 cm. long with the case when disappointed in love. Ladies properly. decorated with a golden turtle and usually wore these swords concealed There are now 21 Japanese waves. Attached to the sword was a under kimonos and used for defense swords in his collection including the small brocade bag with a letter. To when attacked or in danger of being following: Abe’s surprise the letter traced the violated. Samurai generally carried -YamashiroDaijo Fujiwara history and provenance of the sword. two large swords stuck in their sashes Kunikane The letter was written in English by and only on rare occasions used -Michimitsu Y. Hiraiwa on May 17th, 1906 in mamori-katana. -Izuminokami Kanesada Tokyo to T. C. Keenleyside in Continued on page 8 7 Ancestors of the Homma family had been retainers of the Kuroda Clan. What a coincidence that a descendant of a retainer of the Kuroda Clan was able to obtain in Canada a sword owned by a Kuroda! There are few opportunities in Canada to see Japanese swords. In 1977, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre as its centennial project mounted an exhibition “Treasure Swords of Japan” at the Ontario Science Centre. The objectives of this exhibition were to show the techniques and craftsmanship of Japanese metal artists as well as the historical and Two of Yoshimaru Abe’s swords. Top, unnamed long sword. Bottom, Izuminokami cultural aspects of swords. Many Kanesada, short sword. (Yoshimaru Abe photo, date unknown) beautiful swords from Japan were included in this exhibition. At the 1977 and was enjoyed by many This article is based on request of the Ontario Science Canadians and Americans. newspaper clippings, a list of Centre, one of the sponsors of this Yoshimaru Abe will be 90- swords and a photocopy of exhibition, two of Abe’s swords were years old next year, but he still Hiraiwa’s letter furnished by also exhibited. This exhibition was continues to volunteer and do Yoshimaru Abe. open from July 1st to September 5th, research on his sword collection. a Ethnic Expectations by Theodore T. Hirota As a Canadian with a during the years that I attended of a group of Japanese students Japanese heritage and thus a member graduate school. She returned home traveling across Canada. After of a visible minority, I am from work one day with an invitation meeting with a few students we had occasionally brought up short by to attend a bonsai display at Edwards sat down in the lounge area with a what it means to be such a member. Gardens. Possibly because much of plate of food. The dean of the law In anticipation of receiving an our Japanese heritage had been school whom I recognized, sat down undergraduate degree from UBC, I discouraged during the war years or next to me to chat. He asked me had applied to numerous graduate because of our exposure to John ‘Have you been travelling long?’ and schools across Canada and in the Wayne-type combat movies in the my reply ‘Oh, only about twenty United States. After being accepted Pacific during the same period, minutes’ gave him pause to question by Toronto I left Vancouver in Nancy asked the young doctor who what he had heard and to reflect on August 1963 for a five-year stint at had invited us if he was mistakenly a possible misinterpretation due to the university to complete two referring to ‘banzai’, a Japanese war language difficulties. After a few graduate degrees. cry evoked just before a death- seconds I apologized to the dean for I recall one protracted winter defying charge. Thus we were being disingenuous and I told him that when Nancy needed some ointment introduced to the gentle art of creative I lived in South Windsor and that I for her lips. We went to the cosmetic Japanese horticultural techniques by was a Psychology professor on counter at Eatons on College St and a sympathetic Jewish Canadian campus. Whether by design or not Nancy asked the clerk at the counter doctor who made light of our linguistic on his part, I never made contact with for a tube of ‘Chapstick’. The clerk gaffe. the dean again at the university. At trying to be helpful suggested that A year or so after I arrived the close of the evening as we Nancy try kitchen utensils on the next in Windsor, Ontario to join the thanked the host and hostess for a floor for chopsticks! university’s Psychology department, wonderful party before departing, Nancy went to work at Nancy and I were invited to the Nancy reached out with her right Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto President’s house for a party in honor hand to shake the hostess’s hand.

8 The hostess offered her left hand and and asking them if they wished to join she had taken a science course from Nancy sensed a right arm that was the Chinese Students Society. I would a faculty member with a strong Indian held back. Shaking her left hand, a politely decline the flier in English accent and felt she didn’t need the concerned Nancy asked if a slip or a saying that I was not Chinese. added difficulty of a foreign accent fall was responsible for the injury. The Following the influx of these Chinese in taking a course in statistics. gracious hostess waved her handless students, the lineups at the campus However, she had been immediately arm and said not to worry, it was bank appeared to become noticeably relieved as soon as I had spoken. something she had all her life, and longer. With cunning logic I decided In another statistics class, that even her best friend frequently that foreign students frequently two older faculty wives, one Arab and forgot and looked everywhere for required money exchanges that one Indian sat in the front row with a missing glove. Two faux pas in one would tie up a teller for more than French-speaking woman. Unlike the evening was enough to create lasting the usual time and thus I looked for a younger students these three were stories of one’s most embarrassing line with fewer Asians to reduce the among the most enthusiastic in asking moments in life. waiting time. One day while standing questions in class. At the end of a In the early 1970’s, the in line I suddenly realized that other few weeks, the French-speaking province of Quebec raised tuition fees students and faculty were probably woman stayed behind after class and for foreign students by enough to using the same strategy to avoid the confessed that she was having cause an exodus to other universities. line I was in! difficulty understanding some of the The University of Windsor received One year towards the end of statistical concepts. When I sought enough of these students to alter a an introductory statistics course I was to identify the source of the problem, few perceptions on campus. When I conversing with one of my female she said that perhaps it might be my first arrived at the university, I students, an attractive blue-eyed, accent. However, when asked what encountered few Asian students as I blond. She confided in me that on the kind of accent it was, she shook her walked across campus to my classes. first day of class when I entered the head and said it was a mystery to her. However, after the Quebec situation, classroom, her immediate reaction To this day whenever I talk about I was frequently approached by had been “Oh no, not another one.” statistics some say that it is all Greek students speaking Chinese and She explained that in the last term, to them. a distributing fliers to fellow students Friends of East Lillooet Reunion - September 12 & 13, 2003 by Dr. Aki Horii reunion was held in Lillooet on September 12th and 13th, 2003. The first get-together was in Lillooet, the second in Vancouver and the third one in Whistler. This last reunion turned out to be a very successful event and was, by far, the largest with 110 guests arriving from as far away as San Francisco, Mississauga-Ontario, Whitehorse-Yukon, Calgary and Lethbridge-Alberta, the Kootenays, Okanagan, Kamloops and Prince Rupert. The gathering was mainly students who attended Lillooet schools in the 1940’s and early 1950’s, but also included people in Some of the participants at the Lillooet Reunion. (Aki Horii photo, 2003) their 80’s, the oldest person being age Organized by a group of (Ishikawa) Yano), the 4th combined 91. It was a nostalgic trip for many, former students (Terry Sakai, Miki Lillooet-East Lillooet - “Lillooet and for some like Kiyo Ohashi from Tanaka, Joe Hurley, Aki Horii, Kaori Schools and Friends of Lillooet” Vernon, their first trip back since the Continued on page 10 9 late 1940’s. It is noteworthy to comment There were many interesting Lillooet, a small town located that the town of Lillooet produced two human stories told of families who along the Fraser River, in the Caribou, Order of Canada recipients - Ma lived on both sides of the Fraser has changed a great deal over the past Murray, publisher of the Bridge River River; of the Hurley and Jim families 50 odd years. East Lillooet, the Lillooet News, and Dr. Masajiro whose general stores provided Japanese community, was situated 4 Miyazaki, who occasionally made groceries to the East side. We miles across the river in arid sage house calls many miles away on laughed about being “buggers” - brush country with no drinking water horseback and who donated his home students who climbed the mountain nor electricity. The Japanese to the Village of Lillooet as a heritage behind Lillooet to pick “bugs”. The Canadian students had to cycle 2 building in 1983. Another person who bugs were spruce budworms which miles up the river to a suspension recently received some publicity and were devastating forests in B.C. and bridge and then 2 miles uphill to recognition is Kaye Kamanishi who Eastern Canada. The object of the school, regardless of how cold the resides in Kamloops. He is one of the exercise was to find the parasites on winter months were. few surviving players of the pre-war the larvae and then to release them Ironically, one can now cross Vancouver Asahi baseball team, to other provinces. over to the town of Lillooet over a which this summer, was inducted into The reunion was a most new bridge, almost directly from our the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. memorable event with aging old settlement. Also in East Lillooet, Kaye, by the way, has won 11 Lillooetans, reminiscing about their there are now lovely homes with consecutive B.C. Seniors badminton experiences as youths, growing up green lawns, thanks to well water championships. during the war and post war years.a found at a depth of 200 feet. We found a few depressions in the ground where once typical tarpaper shacks stood. Shirley Inouye (Takako Koyama) from Richmond, went to the site of her former house and was amazed to find that the apricot tree which she had planted, was still thriving. A few of us located the site of our old homes by identifying a couple of pine trees still standing and being much taller. Of interest, when we drove to the old suspension bridge, which was constructed in 1913 and closed to vehicle traffic, had become a tourist attraction with a busload of Europeans walking across it. This same bridge, until 1944, was an obstacle to many students who were not allowed to cross it to attend Old suspension bridge built in 1913 that connected Lillooet with East Lillooet. Lillooet High School. (Kaori Yano photo, 2003) Steveston Buddhist Temple 75th Anniversary Celebration by Larry Ryan and Kiyo Domai The Steveston Buddhist Committee. Thirteen senseis and the function organized and successfully Temple celebrated its 75th Bishop of Jodo Shinsu Buddhism of carried out by the younger members anniversary on September 27th and Canada took part in this celebration. of the Fujinkai and their friends. This 28th, 2003. This was the culmination The festivities began with a new group worked under the capable of almost a year’s worth of work and dinner banquet on Saturday evening. guidance of the more experienced preparation by the 75th Anniversary This was the first major dinner Fujinkai members. Rev. S. Ikuta

10 Steveston Buddhist Church 75th Anniversary Committee officials. (Steveston Buddhist Church photo, 2003) was the keynote speaker for this celebration. Buddhist Temple. The parade was event. Sunday’s celebration began followed by a group photo in front of Young and senior members with an Ochigo San parade from the the temple. After the photo shoot, of the Bukkyokai provided ready Buddhist Churches of Canada members and visitors from other assistance in the kitchen and headquarters to the Steveston Continued on page 12 wherever else they were needed. The entertainment for the banquet consisted of performances by the Steveston Temple Taiko Group, Steveston Buddhist Temple Choir (first performance), Tatsumi Ryu Dancers accompanied by Mr. Murao performing shigin. Vocalist Naoki Okochi performed several songs followed by a Fujinkai skit. The entertainment concluded with a sing-a-long of Haru Ga Kita and . His Worship, Mr. Brodie the Mayor of Richmond attended the banquet and stayed to the very end. Generous donations to the Richmond Food Bank were gratefully 75th Anniversary Celebration cake. (Steveston Buddhist Church photo, 2003) accepted during the two-day 11 temples took part in a full service in service. The service was followed by Buddhist Temple Columbarium and the temple. This service was a luncheon in the temple gymnasium, Memorial Garden. a conducted by Hattori-sensei with followed by the distribution of special participation by the Bishop as well anniversary commemorative gifts. Larry Ryan and Kiyo as guest sensei. Rev. Grant Ikuta of A major project Domai are Vice Presidents of the Toronto Buddhist Temple, was the commemorating our anniversary was Steveston Buddhist Church. guest speaker for the 75th anniversary the completion of the Steveston Mission Long Overdue by Dr. Jim Shiro Hasegawa

Female graduates of the Notre Dame High School posing behind banquet prepared by Sister Gemma.(Kim Kobrle photo, 1946) I left my driveway at exactly were put up in tents, waiting for two- students enjoyed the regular school 7:15 accessing gridlocked Highway or three-room houses being built. The dances, card games, annual 20 to Montreal and arriving at a government decreed that elementary concerts, classes in typing and downtown hotel where Kim Kobrle school education would be provided, shorthand, home economics, piano, (nee Oikawa) from Port Coquitlam, but there would be no high school sewing and a comprehensive sports B.C. and Kay Honda (nee education. With prohibition on travel, the program. The quality of the education Yamamoto) from Hamilton, Ontario only high school education would be and the dedication of the sisters were were patiently waiting my arrival. We by correspondence courses. Enter second to none. We all three agreed accessed Champlain Bridge onto Auto- the teaching Sisters of the Notre that after the school closed, there were route 10 leading to Sherbrooke, Quebec, Dame des Anges (headquartered in no formal expressions of gratitude, a trip of three hours. We were on a Quebec) and a high school named thanking the Sisters for having filled a mission to visit the Mother House of Notre Dame High became a reality in void at a vital and critical time which the Missionary Sisters of Notre Dame a two-storey home in downtown would speak volumes in later years for des Anges in Lennoxville, Quebec, a New Denver. the students and graduates of Notre visit we believed was long overdue. As Kim, looking back almost Dame High School. we drove we started reminiscing about 60 years, said we had never fully I received a letter from Kim the good old days back in the 1940s at appreciated the very high standards in July 2003, informing me that Sister Notre Dame High in New Denver. and quality of the regimen offered Raphael the remaining member of the FLASHBACK ....1942. by the sisters. There were four levels, faculty was gravely ill. Kim and Kay Families were arriving every day in the grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Curriculum felt we should inform as many of the New Denver Relocation Camp. Many included Latin and French. The past Notre Dame students to send a 12 years later she was still the same Sister Raphael remembered back in the 1940s. She had learned of our coming visit weeks earlier and had anxiously and happily looked forward to this day. Sister had informed the others that her years in New Denver were the happiest moments in her long years of service. We had brought with us school memorabilia; class photos, photos of class events, concerts, the NDHS 1945 Annual, a NDHS felt pennant. Conversing with Kim, Sister Raphael could recall many of the happy memories even after 60 years. Kay Honda, Kim Kobrle and Sister Madeleine (Gemma) visiting bedridden Sister We had agreed to keep the Raphael. (Kim Kobrle photo, 2003) visit short due to Sister’s condition get-well card and a donation in name She was a devoted student who got so we warmly thanked her on of Sister Raphael to the Mother her start in cooking and sewing behalf of all the NDHS student House in Lennoxville, Quebec. I felt under Sister Gemma. Sister body. A long overdue gesture. A rather than by mail, where Sister Gemma conversing with Kim could special THANK YOU to Kim and would find difficulty in recall some fond memories of Kay for their time and effort; in not remembering the students (60 years NDHS. Sister Madeleine (91 years only locating and tracing many of later, even I had trouble matching old) had been posted to the Orient the alumni, a very difficult time- faces with names), that a personal and South America for 40 years consuming effort (name changes visit to Lennoxville would be more after leaving New Denver. due to marriages) and traveling all meaningful and much appreciated. Accompanied by Sister the way to Montreal to visit Sister We could then express our gratitude Gemma, we visited Sister Raphael Raphael in person, a visit very much and personally extend our sincere in the infirmary. Sister (85 years appreciated by the Mother House, thanks for their years of dedicated old) sat up in her bed and welcomed especially Sisters Raphael and humanitarian efforts at a critical time us with warm hugs and a twinkle in Gemma. Thank you Kim and Kay. in the education of the Niseis. her eyes. We agreed that almost 60 Continued on page 14 Kim fully endorsed the idea and she made arrangements for our visit on the 30th of September. We arrived in Lcnnoxville around 11:45 and were warmly greeted by the sisters, who had prepared lunch. Since only a few spoke English, we were told a Sister Madeleine who spoke English, would join us at the dinner table. During the introductions and the mention we were once in New Denver, Sister Madeleine said she too was in New Denver for a few years. At NDHS she was known as Sister Gemma, who had given classes in home economics and did the cooking and baking for all high Front: Sister Martha, Sister Madeleine. Back: Kay Honda, Jim Hasegawa, Kim school events. WHAT a pleasant Kobrle. (Kim Kobrle photo, 2003) surprise! Kim was OVERJOYED. 13 It was a very moving moment, one remembered, kindly contact either I shall always remember and Ms. Kim Kobrle, 1251 Nugget St. Jim Shiro Hasegawa cherish. Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C SCI or attended grade 9 and 10 at NDHS Former NDHS students Ms. Kay Honda, 205 Columbia Dr., during 1945 and 1946. who have not yet been contacted, Hamilton, ON. L9C 3Y8. a who feel they wouldNikkei like to Weekbe 2003 Summary by Stan Fukawa Michael Ouchi, the balloon man provided a glimpse into the skills required to be a children’s entertainer in his good-humoured performances at the tables and on stage. Sept. 14. Bus tour to Steveston: The guided tours of the Gulf of Georgia Historic Cannery and the Britannia Shipyard and Murakami House were much enjoyed by the 30 people who took this afternoon tour. The group split into two groups with most of the people preferring the Japanese language tour, in which Mits Hayashi was very busy interpreting the guides’ commentaries. In keeping with tradition, a group photo was taken beside the memorial to Nikkei David Yamaura, Naomi Kamiya, Minnie Hattori and Bev Yamaura admiring ice fishermen. sculpture. (Stan Fukawa photo, 2003) Sept. 15. Tour of Canadian Fishing The goal of Nikkei Week is showing the history of the salmon Co.: to highlight the Nikkei community and fishery and salmon canning, including The bus to the working cannery had its place in Canadian society so that the important role that was played by to be cancelled because there were a community which was almost Japanese Canadians. He was both not enough tickets sold. In its place destroyed by government action can informative and entertaining. was an excellent informal tour of the be rebuilt. Community-building The almost exclusively Canadian Fishing Co. cannery for 6 requires the coming together of the Japanese food was delicious and in people who drove on their own to the community in enjoyable activities abundant supply. Sushi chefs made downtown cannery. within an atmosphere which raises sushi to order in the buffet line and Sept. 16. Ijusha and Japanese our consciousness of common roots may have been the main reason that Canadians: and a proud and honourable history. it took longer than anticipated to feed About 30 people, with Ijusha in the Nikkei Week 2003 successfully everyone. minority, attended this session where presented a program which The Silent Auction was very 8 people presented their views, addressed those issues and which successful with buyers being pleased, usually in both English and Japanese, involved thousands of Nikkei directly. some with their bargain purchases, on the ups and downs of relations Sept. 13: Celebration Dinner: others with their reasonably-priced between post-war immigrant Consul General Toshiro Ozawa spoke purchases for a good cause. Japanese and the descendents of eloquently on the history of diplomatic Entertainment: The ice- earlier immigrant Japanese. The relations between Canada and Japan, carving by “Cool Creations” was a final recommendation seemed to be 2003 being the 75th anniversary of the dramatic tribute to the salmon. The that we should arrange occasions for opening of the Canadian Embassy in Japanese Flamenco dancers were a the two groups to get together Tokyo. Dan Nomura, V-P of Sales surprise to the many who did not socially. [Tatsuo Kage has a hand- for the Canadian Fishing Co. associate Spanish Gypsy dance with out which summarizes the 8 presented an excellent set of images Nikkei but they were delighted. And presentations].

14 Sept. 17. Thank you tea for Nikkei Place Donors: Some three dozen people had tea and manju at a reception to express thanks to past donors. Speakers included Ruth Coles, Bob Nimi and Mits Hayashi. Financial Advisor Mr. Kikuchi explained the best ways to contribute to the Nikkei Place Foundation. Sept. 18. New Resources: Many educational leaders attended this session at 3 pm which launched two resource books for Social Studies 5 and Social Studies 11 in the provincial curriculum. The Minister of Education was unable to attend but sent Patty Sahota, the MLA in the local riding to send greetings in her place. As well, there were Nikkei fishermen’s crew barbecuing salmon at the Nikkei Week festival. From Superintendents, Assistant left; Henry Tanaka, Neil Matsuo, Jim Tanaka, Diane Matsuo and Irene Tanaka. Superintendents, school board chairs (Stan Fukawa photo, 2003) from the participating school districts government was justified in interning life of Yasutaro Yamaga, a pioneer of Richmond, Burnaby and Japanese Canadians during and after immigrant from Hiroshima who was Coquitlam. The President of the BC WW II. (We discussed a possible a leader in the cooperative movement Teachers Federation represented the prize for the best essays.) among Japanese farmers in the teachers of BC and Dr. Midge The session was well Haney area before the war and who Ayukawa, represented the Nikkei attended, with over 50 people in contributed a great deal to the building community. The resource books were attendance. Sushi was served in the of the Nipponia Home after the war. the result of three years of work by lobby. The last speaker was Mitsuo (Moe) two teams of educators led by Sept. 18. Japanese Canadian History Yesaki who talked about the many Masako Fukawa. Each secondary Panel: Japanese settlements around the school will receive a copy of the Four panelists spoke at 7 pm on a Fraser River salmon fishery and the Grade 11 resource book; each varied range of topics to a packed events which affected their rise and elementary school, a copy of the room of very interested people. fall. After he concluded, the group Grade 5 resource book. The books Tenney Homma spoke about her adjourned to the Ellipse Lobby to look will be available to the public through personal experiences in researching at the maps and photos that Moe had the Japanese Canadian National the history of her grandfather, on display, and to have some tea and Museum. See the website Tomekichi Homma, explaining how cookies. There were many www.japanesecanadianhistory.net little the family knew about the many expressions of gratitude and requests for additional information and important contributions that he had for more of these sessions. Mits teaching aids. made to the community. Dr. May Hayashi counted about 75 in the Steve Turnbull introduced Komiyama spoke of the history of the audience. two travelling Museum suitcases work of the United Church and one Sept. 19. The Me & We Concert: containing artifacts and documents of its predecessors, the Methodist The Friday night percussion concert suitable for Grades 5 and 11. Church, within the Japanese consisted of four very talented Coquitlam teacher Bruce Kiloh community. This important work groups of performers. The evening described a history and culture field seemed not to have been began with a First Nations group, trip at the NNMHC for the 250 acknowledged, especially the Tzo’kam, singing and drumming Grade 11 students from his school. contributions during the internment traditional songs, followed by an Afro- These students will all write an essay years. Cuban jazz group with drums and on whether or not the Canadian Midge Ayukawa talked of the Continued on page 16 15 saxophone. Vishwa, a south Asian ebbed and flowed and the feeling performances. sitar, tabla and violin ensemble played was good. Children’s booths in the Food vendors ranged from Indian, Celtic and modern music, and Ellipse Lobby provided craft the one selling Japanese packaged the night ended with Katari Taiko, the activities, face-painting and skill- foods, to the Farmers’ Market to the host group, playing traditional Taiko games. The stage entertainers were Auxiliary lunches, Nagasaki Express and a performance piece about a lion. good and presented a varied sushi, Ebi-ten , Nikkei Audience members program—ranging from physical fishermen’s wild salmon BBQ, commented on the pleasing variety culture and martial arts Waffle-on-a-stick, Terrazu Coffee and excellent musicianship, making demonstrations to musical and dance and Tako-Yaki. The food was a big for a second successful concert in as groups and karaoke. Exhibitors on hit, especially the Farmer’s Market many years. We have hopefully the second floor included Shitatsu, which sold out early again this year established a tradition. Bonsai, Ikebana, Tea Ceremony. and provided many Japanese Sept. 20. The Festival: Fourteen crafters shared the large vegetables including daikon, Overall, Mits Hayashi estimated 2500 hall with the audiences for the stage kabocha and gobo. a visitors. It was a good crowd which JCNM Manager/Curator’s Report by Steve Turnbull In what is obviously of two new resource books on the making in the Gulf Islands. becoming the norm, the Japanese Internment and Redress. These were Historian and author David Canadian National Museum has had produced for the B.C. Ministry of Sulz presented, “Oikawa Jinsaburo another very busy period since my Education by teams of educators and the Fraser River Colonies”, on report to you in the previous issue of from Burnaby, Coquitlam and November 15. Mr. Sulz provided a NIKKEI IMAGES. What follows is Richmond school districts. The teams detailed look at Oikawa, who in 1906 a small sample of what has been were lead by Masako Fukawa, who smuggled 82 immigrants aboard the happening in the past few months. as JCNM Education Co-ordinator schooner SUIAN MARU for fishing The Japanese Canadian developed the Journeys and Taiken colonies he was establishing on Lion National Museum officially launched programs to complement the new and Don Islands in the lower reaches its new education programs, books. of the Fraser River. Journeys and Taiken, at a special Volunteers are urgently Several other presentations ceremony held Thursday, September needed for the new school program are scheduled for the New Year (titles 18 during Nikkei Week celebrations Taiken. If you can donate a few are subject to change): at the National Nikkei Museum and hours a week to help introduce young “Researching Your Family Heritage Centre. Journeys is a people to Japanese Canadian history History”, with Tenney Homma travelling “kit” of artifacts, photos, and culture please call NNMHC and a panel of geneology experts, and lesson materials available to Volunteer Co-ordinator Elizabeth January 20, 2004 teachers throughout B.C. Teachers Nunoda at 604-777-7000 ext. 102. “A History of the Japanese in may book the kits by calling the The Museum hosted the first the United Church of Canada”, museum at 604-777-7000. Journeys in what promises to be a long and with May Komiyama, February focuses on the Internment period and successful series of presentations on 19, 2004 related human rights issues. It is the Canadian Nikkei. NNMHC “Japanese Picture Brides” by available in two versions suitable for member Moe Yesaki, a recognized Dr. Midge Ayukawa, March 16, Intermediate or Secondary Grade authority on the Nikkei fishing 2004 levels. Taiken is the new tour industry gave his presentation, “Nikkei Farmers in Maple program designed for schools visiting “Beyond Sockeye: Why and How Ridge/Pitt Meadows”, with local the NNMHC. It includes a visit to the Fraser River Japanese historian Anne Dore, April 21, the museum, an experience in making Fishermen Expanded Their 2004 traditional Japanese crafts, an Economic Activities Beyond Just Mr. Sulz spoke at 2 pm. All optional Japanese lunch, and a Fishing Sockeye Salmon”, to an other presentations will be at 7 presentation from an internment appreciative and enthusiastic pm. All these lectures will be at the camp survivor. audience on October 21. He was NNMHC. The highlight of the joined by local teacher Steve Nemtin The Museum has been September 18 event was the debut who spoke on the subject of charcoal playing a small role in efforts to save

16 the childhood home of famed Kogawa. These include items are also making progress. Planning Canadian author Joy Kogawa. The directly related to Joy’ s father, Canon for the exhibit, “Leveling The author lived in the house on West 64th Gordon Nakayama, and some Playing Field; The Legacy of the Avenue in Vancouver’s Marpole connected to Obasan. Asahi Baseball Team”, is well neighbourhood prior to the Museum Archivist Timothy underway with former JCNM internment. The house is a prominent Savage has been working since last Executive Director Grace Eiko feature of her award-winning book Spring on a project that is funded by Thomson as Guest Curator for the Obasan. It is currently for sale and the Community Memories Program exhibit. Target for completion and is at substantial risk. Currently, a of the Canadian Heritage Inventory opening of the exhibit is September, determined community group of Network (CHIN). This project has 2004. people from the neighbourhood, the aim of expanding upon and The project entitled Japanese Canadian literary circles and many digitizing the JCNM exhibit “Our Canadian Studio Photographers has others are seeking support to save the Mother’s Patterns” to be established completed its research phase and is house, which is one of national as an online exhibit in CHIN’s Virtual moving toward the completion of a significance. If you think you can be Museum of Canada web site. The catalogue and an exhibit. The project of assistance please contact me and project is on budget and on track for began in Spring of 2001 as a I will put you in touch with the leaders completion in mid-December. Efforts collaboration between JCNM and the of this effort. You can also help by to date have concentrated on the Community University Research urging the City of Vancouver to do purchases of necessary equipment Alliance(CURA). In September everything in its power to save the (a scanner, digital camera and CURA announced that it was making house. Please write to: software), interviewing community available $12,000 in new funds to The Mayor and Council, members about the history of assist with completion. The project is City of Vancouver dressmaking and sewing in the scheduled to conclude at the end of C/o Office of the City Clerk Japanese Canadian community, and October, 2004. 453 West 12th Avenue collecting photos, artifacts and There are many other things Vancouver, B.C. stories. We are expecting that the happening at the Museum. If you V5Y 1V4 exhibit will be launched early in the wish to know more feel free to Coincidentally, the museum New Year. contact me at 604-777-7000 ext. 112. has recently been offered a large Two other JCNM projects a number of artifacts from Joy My Dad and the Canadian Fishing Company by Roger Kamikura When I think of my life as a prosperity. During this era, an astute Canadian of Japanese descent, my businessman, Charles Sooey thoughts take me to the experiences contracted with Canfisco to manage I had growing up at an internment the canning component of the camp (Slocan), then moving to Grand business. Mr. Sooey, in turn Forks, Westbank and finally returning contracted with my grandfather to Vancouver in 1950. In retrospect, (Jukichi Kamikura) to find and supply a memorable part of my early life in able Japanese workers for the Vancouver takes me to the days at canning department. It was Canadian Fishing Company customary to divide work force by (Canfisco), located at the foot of race at the time, as I imagine that Gore Avenue in Vancouver, B.C. Chinese and other races were also In order to get a proper hired to do other components of the perspective of what Canfisco meant company’s tasks. The arrangement to the Japanese, I would like to take worked well for all parties. While the you back to the days of pre-World company and Mr. Sooey had a Jack Kamikura and Art Swan. (Roger War ll. By the 1930’s, as the Great reliable person who knew the hard- Kamikura photo, date unknown) Depression came to an end, the world working Japanese community was buoyed with anticipation and (mainly situated near the cannery in Continued on page 18 17 the Powell Street area), workers had jobs, the Canadian Fishing Co., asked overtime and on Sundays. Often I advantages as well. In the era of my father to hire Japanese for would go home, eat, clean up and go open racial discrimination, Japanese further tasks. These expanded jobs straight to bed only to get up early in workers were able to work as a team included unloading incoming fish the morning to go back to the as well as being able to understand boats, grading the various species of cannery. Money was good and I, and speak their common Japanese salmon, and moving the fish for the along with all the Japanese workers language, which most workers were canning process. endured hard times knowing that the comfortable with. Both men and The additional work meant season was short. Like all the women were hired and the work more than doubling the Japanese students who worked at the cannery, consisted of actually placing the work force. Fish was plenty those the money I earned paid for my salmon into the cans, sealing the cans, days and there were ample workers studies at UBC. Also, it paid for toll getting the cans ready for cooking eager to earn their good dollars bridges as I dated my present wife and finally packing the cans into boxes through regular pay, overtime and who lived in Richmond at the time. ready for shipping. My father also double time as endless amount of fish I will never forget the worked at the cannery at this time came in to the cannery during the competition that arose when two under the watchful eyes of his father. peak season. However, due to the boats came to the cannery at the Of course, World War II interrupted seasonal nature of the work, it was same time for unloading. There would these operations as the Japanese difficult to find additional workers on be two Japanese crews to unload the people were suddenly moved to a full-time basis. But, because the boats and they would compete with internment camps in B.C. and further work was of seasonal nature and paid each other to see which crew would east. well, it opened the door for many unload their boat first. Although this By 1950, some of the students. The jobs enabled many meant less money being earned, it dislocated Japanese people had university students to continue their was something which went on gradually started to return to the west studies and pursue their chosen frequently. The other workers at the coast (Vancouver and the professions independently. Even to plant did not appear to understand this surrounding areas), my family among this day, my association with some competitive nature of the Japanese. them. By this time, at Canfisco, of the Nikkei Museum members go Though tough as a foreman, my dad Charles Sooey was succeeded by back to the cannery days who were had high regards for hard working Dick Cumyow. Our family having just hired by my dad. Its past president, Japanese, and kept his job until his returned to the coast from the B.C. Frank Kamiya being one of them. He retirement in 1975. My years with interior had to find work. My parents often talks about the cannery days Canadian Fishing Co. was a notable managed to purchase a dry cleaning and how he was able to pay for his time for me as Japanese were paid business which my mother managed. UBC tuitions for his architectural well and were able to slowly get back My father had the good fortune to studies. into society and co-exist with others. be hired by Mr. Cumyow to employ I was one of the students I will never forget that juncture in my and oversee Japanese workers for hired by my dad who had a high life. When former student workers the cannery. Initially, these workers standard for all Japanese he hired, at the cannery speak of being hired were strictly hired for the canning especially me. He was a tough and by my dad, and talk of their cannery aspect of the company’s business. demanding foreman, particularly on days, I think it was memorable times Later however, seeing the efficiency me so as not to show any favouritism for them as well. Hats off to my Dad. with which the Japanese did their to his own son. We often worked a Shining Light by Carl Yokota As youngsters, our next-door realize, at the time, the significance sacrifice in defense of our freedom. neighbour who was a WWII veteran of the Memorial. There are plaques for each of these would occasionally take us on Sunday The Japanese Canadian War groups of valiant men. A third plaque drives through Stanley Park. On a Memorial was erected on April 2, listing the names of two WWII couple of instances, I recall having 1920 to honour the 190 Japanese casualties and one Korean War visited the Japanese Canadian War Canadian men who from 1914 to casualty was later added. The Memorial nestled in a quiet area of 1918 stepped up to serve their Memorial’s granite base supports a the Park, near the present Petting Zoo country during WWI and the 54 column of white sandstone, topped and Miniature Railway. Little did I individuals who made the ultimate with a Japanese pagoda-style, marble

18 Accompanied by four members of lament and a bugler’s reveille came the Vancouver Police Mounted next, then an emotional, heartfelt Squad, a lone playing piper slowly reading of John McCrae’s “In approached the Memorial signaling Flanders Fields”. A recital of the commencement of the program. remembrance (“We Will Remember With master of ceremonies, Roy Them”) was given by another Kawamoto and aided by Don veteran, Bob Kato. Numerous Yamane, both retired veterans, the wreaths were placed on the service began with the singing of O Memorial including those from Legion Canada and the introduction of guest Number 9, Consulate General of dignitaries. Prayers were offered by Japan, National Association of Reverend John Shozawa, followed by Japanese Canadians, JCCA, S-20 and a bugler playing the “Last Post” and Nisei Veterans Association, City of then two minutes of silence. A piper’s Continued on page 20

Japanese Canadian War Memorial, Stanley Park. (Carl Yokota photo, 2003) lantern. The light inside the marble lantern was extinguished by the then “powers-to-be” after the fateful attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbour in 1941. The lantern stayed unlit up until August 2, 1985 when a formal re-lighting ceremony took place. Recently, while visiting Stanley Park, I decided to drop by the Japanese Canadian War Memorial. As I strolled up the Master of ceremonies Roy Kawamoto and Don Yamane at the Remembrance Day walkway from the main parking lot, Ceremony in Stanley Park. (Carl Yokota photo, 2003) past the towering trees, I noticed that very few of the park visitors in front of me, stopped at the Memorial, opting instead to skirt around it and head on down towards Lumbermen’s Arch. Perhaps, just as in my youth over forty years ago, they didn’t realize the importance of the Memorial and the hardships endured by those young soldiers who fought for Canada during WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. With sunny skies and late autumn leaves falling to the ground, a crowd approaching 300 people or more came out to attend the November 11, 2003 Stanley Park A few of the spectators at the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Stanley Park. (Carl Remembrance Day services at the Yokota photo, 2003) Japanese Canadian War Memorial. 19 Vancouver, Vancouver Parks Board, 1000, colorful paper cranes around Club where a reception was held. At Vancouver Police Department, the Memorial. With the singing of God the reception, refreshments were various church societies and three Save the Queen, there was applause served, photo and military artifacts private family offerings. to conclude the ceremonies. As the were on display and old memories A visiting group of 56 junior crowd dispersed, many stayed behind and friendships rekindled, especially high school students from Yokohama, to quietly view the many wreaths laid by those men who fought so Japan took part in the ceremonies by on the Memorial. Others slowly made courageously to ensure the Light having two of their classmates place their way to the Vancouver Rowing continues to shine brightly. a Victoria Japanese Community at April 22,1942 by Toshio Uyede The Japanese community at occupations: dry cleaning, farming miscellaneous entrepreneurial the time of forced removal from and fishing. Families involved in the occupations. Nagai, Nakasone, and Victoria was less than 300 dry cleaning business were Hayashi Kuwata were barbers. Hirahara, individuals. One newspaper reported (Yokohama Cleaners), Henmi Koyama, Nagao, and Yoneda were that 273 individuals boarded the (Central Cleaners), Ioi (Douglas boat builders. Kakuno and Tamaki PRINCESS JOAN on April 22, 1942 Cleaners), Kusumoto (Nippon were cooks. Mr. and Mrs. Ishiguro, for transport to Hastings Park. If we Cleaners), Onishi (Junction Mrs. Kawahara, Mrs. Koyama, Mrs. assume that a family unit consisted Cleaners), H.Takahashi (My Valet Kusumi and Mrs. Shimizu were of six persons, this would give a total Cleaners), K.Takahashi (Togo domestics. Okamoto was a gardener of 45 families. It was a very small Cleaners), and Watanabe (Tokyo and Koyama a tailor. Ishida was a community in comparison to the Cleaners). Families farmed in the hotel proprietor, whereas Fukushima, population of Victoria, which was outlying areas of Cordova Bay and Hashimoto, Morita, Saito and Uyeda around 60,000. The Japanese were Saanich and included Ito, Kakuno worked in hotels. H.and K. Takata scattered throughout the city, although Brothers, Mizuno, Morishita, Nagai, operated a tea garden. most of the families lived in or near Nishimoto, Ono and Tanaka. The total disappearance of the downtown core. How did the Japanese fishermen included the Japanese community from Issei in these families earn their Hasegawa, Kawasoe, Kondo, Victoria probably had very little living? In general, probably because Koyama, A. Nishimoto, C.Nishimoto, economic impact, perhaps some of the language barrier, the men were K. Uyede and U. Uyede. Takahashi minor inconvenience in the short entrepreneurs and the women was engaged in whaling. term. However, not one member of homemakers or domestics. The remaining Japanese this community returned to live in The Japanese of Victoria were involved in various Victoria. a were primarily engaged in three New and renewing National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre Members from August 14, 2003 to November 12, 2003. Mrs. Kay Akada Mr. & Mrs. Ken Kochi Mr. & Mrs. Shinichi Omatsu Ms. Mieko Amano Mr. & Mrs. Joe Komori Mrs. Yoshie Omura-Kamite Mr. & Mrs. Edward Arnet Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Lowe Ms. Patricia Roy Ms. Anne Briggs Ms. Betty Lui Mr. & Mrs. Philip Saito Mr. Guy Champoux & Ms. Reiko Okubo Mrs. Gwen E. Macdonald Mr. & Mrs. Terry Sakai Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Copithorne Ms. Mika Maniwa Mr. Ken Sakamoto Mr. Hamish Cumming & Ms. Emiko Ando Mr. & Mrs. Shizuo Matsuba Mr. & Mrs. Tats Sakauye Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ebbesen Mrs. Shizuko Matsumura Mr. & Mrs. Bunji Sakiyama Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Ellis Mrs. Dorothy Y. Matsune Mr. Yuki Shimomura Mrs. Therese Enderle Mr. & Mrs. Bill McEwan Ms. Evelyn Suzuki Ms. Yoshiko Godo & Terry Lightheart Mr. & Mrs. Ken Minato Ms. Hitomi Suzuta Mrs. Fumiko Hanazawa Ms. Florence Mitani Mrs. Etsuko Takata Ms. Judy Hanazawa Ms. Nancy K. Morishita Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tanaka Dr. & Mrs. Akira Horii Mr. & Mrs. Michael Murakami Mr. & Mrs. Joe Tatebe Ms. Daien Ide & Mr. Hiroshi Mizoguchi Mr. & Mrs. Dan Nakagawa Mr. & Mrs. Tom Taylor Ms. Judy Inouye Mr. Hiro Nakashima Ms. Midori Uyeyama & Colin Soo Ms. Shirley Inouye Mr. Henry Grant Naruse Mrs. Kimiye Uyeyama Ms. Wakako Ishikawa Mr. & Mrs. Takashi Negoro Mr. & Mrs. Shigeru Wakabayashi Mr. & Mrs. Don Iwanaka Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nimi Dr. & Mrs. Joji & Sachi Yamanaka Mr. & Mrs. Koichi Kaminishi Ms. Rosalind Nishi Ms. Hideko Yamashita Mr. & Mrs. Alfie Kamitakahara Mr. & Mrs. Shoji Nishihata Ms. Cathy Yasui & Mr. Randy Preston Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kariya Ms. Toshi Oikawa Mr. & Mrs. Fukashi Yasui Ms. Tomoko Kato Mrs. Jean Okazaki Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Yokota Mr. Norifumi Kawahara Miss Karla L. Olson 20