Nikkei Images

National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre Newsletter ISSN#1203-9017 Autumn 2003, Vol. 8, No. 3 Madam Butterfly, Margaret Harumi Iwasaki Peters by Lynne Reiko Gardiner So, we’re history! We’re only could have help with Lawrence and and Ina’s younger sisters Alice Shime just sixty but a generation apparently Cedric. Ina’s brothers, sisters and and Jean on the other side. Shogo and already in the archives. My sister, mother were permitted by the Masako first, then Kiwa and Jean Margaret Harumi Iwasaki, was born authorities to remain at the farm until moved to Toronto to join Ina’s other in Grace Hospital, B.C., the strawberry crop was harvested. brothers Shei, George and Tom. Ina’s on May 10, 1942. She was the first After Margaret was born, sister Alice moved with her husband daughter of Ina Fuji (nee Omura) and Ina returned to the farm for a short Ken Ennyu to , as did Ben Akira Iwasaki, whose family while, then she and the rest of the Akira’s cousin’s family. included Lawrence Wataru, born in family were moved to the horse stalls The Iwasaki family lived in 1933 and Cedric Eiji, born in 1937. in the Hastings Park internment the shack till 1945, then moved into They had bought a house on compound. Akira had returned to Port the Bank Manager’s house that was Trinity Street near Hastings Park two Hammond in late July and was rented to Akira from his employer at and a half years before but were hospitalized after suffering chest Tear’s garage. Margaret, nicknamed moved out because of the war. Akira burns from a tarring accident while “Peggy” by the family, remembers a was sent to a road camp in Solsqua, working. Upon recovery he moved mansion of a house set in football- near Sicamous. Ina, now pregnant into the horse stalls for about a week size grounds, big enough for softball with Margaret, moved out to the then the family was relocated by train and hockey, fronting a forest, “the family farm in Port Hammond so she to New Denver. woods”. Both house and grounds Ina’s brother Shogo Frank looked considerably smaller and Omura, sent earlier with his carpentry more modest on a return trip she skills to help build the internment made in the intervening years before camp, saved lot 100, on the Slocan the house was remodeled. Lake waterfront by Carpenter Creek She started school and in the “Orchard” for their internment befriended neighbours Mary de Rosa home. Akira’s family of five, (I was and Evelyn Tippy. Spring was spent born in 1943), was on one side of the in the woods looking for ladyslippers shack and Shogo, grandmother Kiwa, Continued on page 2 Contents Madam Butterfly, Margaret Harumi Iwasaki Peters 1 Carl Ogawa, Olympic Silver Medalist 5 Olympic Dreams 7 Toshio Uyede’s Reminisces of the Victoria Club 10 Remembering the Vancouver 11 Kamloops Nisei Team 14 High Boat Trophy 14 Ozawa Hotel 15 Tatsumi Dance Group’s Trip to Lethbridge 16 A Christmas Eve Miracle 17 Marg (right) and Lynne with their JCNM at the Powell Street Festival, Aug. 2nd & 3rd, 2003 18 ribbons from the Trout Lake Meet. Report from the JCNM 19 Message from the President 20 (Iwasaki Family photo, 1952) 1 or sneaking a look at the hermit who working as a houseboy to finish high Announcements lived in a shack by the lake. She and school at Magee. Nikkei Week I tried to go to Sunday school on our The family moved back to September 13-20, 2003 own but a fierce barking dog scared Vancouver in May of 1949 to the NNMHC us off. Summers were spent at the Cedar Cottage area. Margaret for further details call lake where bears sometimes came finished Grade One at Lord Selkirk. 604-777-7000l down. She remembers having Her athleticism began to show at an communal baths, with her arms early age. She spent summers at around Grandma’s neck , kicking her Trout Lake and learned to swim there legs and the frigid water of Slocan on her own. The lifeguard, Doug Lake when she had her first swim Hepburn, a weightlifting champion, lessons. Winters were spent listening would always row out to the second to the roar of avalanches in the raft to tell her she shouldn’t be out surrounding mountains and tunneling so far. Once when she was playing through five to six feet of snow. She with me on her shoulders in chest remembers shows at Bosun Hall and deep water, she was pushed over and learning to skate on the frozen lake the lifeguard rescued her. She had to with Ceddie. promptly tell them that I needed help Shogo thought Akira, with a since I didn’t know how to swim yet family of 7 now to support, Cheryl and was floundering about gulping Kiyoko being born in 1945, would down water. A side benefit to have a better chance of restarting in swimming in Trout Lake was that Nikkei Images is published by Vancouver, where former customers Marg’s eczema was amazingly the National Nikkei Museum indicated they would return. When cured. and Heritage Centre Society were allowed to Marg’s strength and timing return to the West coast in 1949 after continued to develop. When I started Editorial Committee: the four-year moratorium, Akira and school that September, a school bully Stanley Fukawa, Grace Hama, Ina returned to Vancouver at Easter would chase me all the time so Marg Frank Kamiya, Mitsuo Yesaki, to find a house. Lawrence had came with me and punched him in Carl Yokota already returned to Vancouver, the nose. After receiving a bloody

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Marg receiving the Beverly Bantam Award for Juvenile Athlete of the Month from Frank Barber with Ina Iwasaki in back (Iwasaki Family photo, 1956)

2 nose from a girl, he never chased me attended Point Grey Junior High for Beverly Bantam Juvenile Athlete of again. a year. Sir Winston Churchill opened the Month Award and a case of The summer of 1952, when in 1956 so we transferred there. Bantam peanut butter, a questionable Marg was in Grade 4, she won 5 first Besides swimming, Marg excelled in award in those purer amateur days place ribbons at the Trout Lake Swim field hockey and track. She was of competition. She was also named Meet. Doug Hepburn presented her President of the Referees and the Olympic Alternate Swimmer for with her first medal for winning the organized the Mixed Volleyball the 1956 Team to top Aggregate award. Tournaments that were played Inter– Melbourne, Australia. She’d only We were taking dance High. She made the Honour Roll at been competing for two years at that lessons under Grace Goddard at the Point Grey and Churchill for point. In the spring of 1957, she time but Marg showed prowess and Academics and Service. attended the U.S. Nationals in was soon taking toe ballet lessons In 1956, when she was 14, Beverly Hills, and placed under Kay Armstrong, a well-known she broke the U.S. age group record third in the 100-yard freestyle. ballet teacher in the 1950’s. Marg for the 14 and under 50-yard freestyle She excelled in front crawl came down with a severe case of event. In July, she was awarded the (freestyle), butterfly especially, and pneumonia in the summer of 1953. Continued on page 4 She remembers she didn’t miss any school but sat inside crying because the rest of us were down swimming in Trout Lake. She had lost a lot of weight and had damaged her lungs. Dr. Uchida advised mum to put her in swim lessons to regain her strength in a moist atmosphere. The following summer, Mum enrolled us in the Vancouver Province free swim lessons at Kitsilano pool. The head coach told mum that Marg showed potential and should join a swim club so we joined the Vancouver Amateur Swim Club in the fall of 1954. Our practises were in Crystal Pool, a pool that Japanese Canadians were not allowed to enter before the war. Marg quickly advanced to the fastest group in the club by the second week. In December, Marg attended her first swim meet in Victoria at the Crystal Gardens Pool. She recalls her coach, Howard Firby, saying “If you don’t swim fast you’ll come in last.” Marg came in second, out touched by the current B.C. champion. In the spring, she attended her second meet in Vancouver, Washington, beating the B.C. champion but losing out to the Pacific Northwest champion. By her third competition she was first in her age group and soon breaking records. 1960 Canadian Women’s Olympic Team. From the left, Judy McHale, Sara In 1955 we moved to Barber, unidentified man, Irene MacDonald (diver), Marg and Mary Stewart. Cambie Street so Marg and I (Iwasaki Family photo, 1960) 3 backstroke and would compete in those races as well as the individual medley, which combined all four strokes. She was a sprinter and swam the 50-, 100- and 200-yards and metre races and the 200 and 400 individual medleys. She competed locally in Vancouver and in Victoria, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver Washington, and Portland in the fall and spring. In summer she competed in outdoor pools in Spokane and Kelowna, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and New Westminster. Our social group was the Swim Club, and traveling to the meets mostly by car was often a family event or vacation. She continued to train in winter at Crystal Pool and summer at Empire Pool at the University of British Columbia. Our coach, Howard, lived close to us so he often drove us to training sessions in the summer, letting mum off some of the driving she did for us. We also car- pooled with Bill Slater, who lived close to us too. At the age of 16, Marg was Marg Iwasaki receiving a beautiful Japanese doll from Sumiko Ohara, a CPA chosen for the 1958 British Empire stewardess representing the Canadian Nisei Association of Japan. The Japanese Association sent the doll to Miss Iwasaki in recognition of her outstanding Games in Cardiff, Wales. The team success as a Canadian swim star and a good Japanese Canadian citizen. departed from Montreal to Liverpool (Iwasaki Family photo, 1960) on board the EMPRESS OF ENGLAND which had such a short interviewed her asking how it felt to Mum, Dad, Cheryl and I drove out pool they trained by swimming with be an Oriental on the team. Marg to be spectators. Tickets were easy a heavy rubber band around their didn’t know anything different, nor to get because apparently waists. It took several days to get to was she treated any differently so she Chicagoans weren’t aware the games Liverpool and the swim team didn’t have anything to tell them. She were on. Marg’s relatively diminutive members were the only members won a Bronze medal in the 110 size compared to the American swim who did not get seasick. The bus Butterfly, made the 110 Freestyle team now headed by Chris Von Saltza from Liverpool to Cardiff took all day, final, and was a member of the Silver was striking. but they did have a sightseeing stop medal Medley Relay team and the In 1960, the year she at Windsor Castle. We were camping Bronze medal Freestyle Relay team. graduated from high school and in Peachland at the time and when I That year she was awarded the turned 18, she was chosen for the opened Marg’s letter to us I was very Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Canadian Olympic Swim Team excited and impressed when she Junior Athlete of the Year Award. heading for Rome, Italy. She wrote that she had dinner with Prince About this time one of the local competed in the 100-m Freestyle Philip, and then on the next page sportswriters called her “Madam (placing 24 out of 32 of the world’s overleaf she wrote “and six hundred Butterfly” since she held the best), 100-m. Butterfly (11th of 25), other athletes.” She purposely wrote Canadian record for that event. and the Medley Relay. Marg it like that as a joke which I fell for. She was chosen for the Pan remembers meeting Muhammad Ali, British newspapers American Games in Chicago in 1959. still Cassius Clay then. He was a real 4 character, wore a bowler hat and and then received her Professional Knight in 1977 and moved to strutted around with a cane, but was Teaching Certificate. She taught a Edmonton. They separated in 1982 a friendly, affable person. He won his split Grade 3 and 4 class at Sidaway and she married Juergen Peters in Gold Medal at Rome. The Rome School in Richmond her first year, 1984. In Edmonton she continued to Olympics were a magical experience then was transferred to Garden City manage beauty salons, first Hairloom for Marg. The athletes met and School and taught Grade 5. for Redge Teague, a former mingled in People’s Square lit by She continued her interest in employee of Lawrence’s, then hundreds of round gas balls in the the Olympic movement and went as Propaganda, for a former employee evening. The Pope gave his blessings a chaperone of the Canadian of Hairloom. at the Vatican. The Closing Delegation to the Olympic Youth She retired from work in Ceremonies were a spectacular Camp in Munich in 1972 and 1995 and moved to Victoria. She and event. As the Olympic flame was Montreal in 1976. Juergen currently live in Saanichton, extinguished the audience lit rolled While she was teaching she still on Vancouver Island, happily paper torches. Amid those flickering was also a part time manager of her playing tennis and swimming in the lights, from four of the Seven Hills brother Lawrence’s salons, Maison clubhouse complex. She enjoys of Rome, a brilliant fireworks display Lawrence Coiffures. Lawrence baking and gardening and looks presented by Japan blazed out preceded Margaret as a British younger than all of us. She feels it is “Sayonara a Tokyo”. The athletes of Columbia and Canadian Champion in fitting that dad, who arrived in the the world were called upon to gather Hairstyling. She left teaching to Port of Victoria on July 1, 1921 and again in 1964 in Tokyo. manage his salons from 1967 to mum, who was born in Eburne by the Marg returned to start at the 1978, and since his stroke in 1999, Fraser River, produced children who University of British Columbia a few she continues to manage his finances were proud to represent Canada, and weeks late. She earned a Bachelor and advocate for him. whom Canada was proud to of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, She married Christopher recognize as it’s own. a Carl Ogawa, Olympic Silver Medalist by David G. Ogawa Carl Ogawa was born in Games held that summer in British seaplanes, and rolling waves. They Telegraph Cove, a remote town Columbia. For their impressive only had a few fragile, wood rowing located in the northern region of showing and convincing win versus shells and the greatest danger was Vancouver Island. During the war England, UBC received an invitation hitting deadheads in the harbour. years, the family moved to Salmon from Prince Philip to attend the 1955 Their head coach, Frank Read, would Arm where his father operated a Henley on the Thames Regatta. bark orders from a small fiberglass sawmill and Carl completed high With the departure of boat that would motor along side the school. Carl enrolled at the University graduating team members, a large shells. Mr. Read had been involved of British Columbia in the fall of 1954 number of rowing and coxswain in rowing for years and set a goal for and stayed at Fort Camp, a collection recruits showed up at the beginning the crew at that time – to win Gold of old army barracks located on of the training season to fill the at the 1956 Summer Olympics. campus. At the time, he had no vacated seats. The numbers were A coxswain’s duties are intention of becoming involved in eventually narrowed down to two, somewhat similar to those of a jockey. organized sports but was encouraged eight-oared Varsity and Junior Varsity He determines when to raise or lower by a classmate to try out for the crews. Carl was selected as the stroke rates depending on the time rowing crew as a coxswain. Little did coxswain of the Varsity 8’s. Every during the race as well as the crew’s he know that this decision would afternoon after classes, the crews position versus other shells. Due to take him to various locations around would assemble at UBC for rides to the offsetting of the oars in an 8, the the globe. the Vancouver Rowing Club located starboard side always has a bit more In the 1950’s, the top in Stanley Park. Practice would run torque than the port side (or vice university crew in the nation went on from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. during the versa), causing the shell to want to to represent Canada at international weekdays as well as early afternoon turn in one direction. The coxswain competitions. UBC had an sessions on weekends. The crews must maintain the correct direction established rowing program and won would row from Coal Harbour to the by countering this torque with the use gold in the eight-oar with coxswain Ironworkers Bridge (2nd Narrows) of a rudder while the oars are in the event at the1954 Commonwealth and back, avoiding other vessels, water. Any adjustments that are Continued on page 6 5 left the crew. These seats were filled by members of the Junior Varsity team with the remaining JV’s forming a 4-man without coxswain crew. The following academic year of 1955/56 showed no let up in practices except for three weeks off at Christmas for exams and holidays and two weeks off for final exams in May. After practicing all season, the crew gathered for practice races against the University of Washington Huskies and the University of Oregon Ducks. In order to qualify for the Canadian Nationals, UBC had to fair well against the American crews. After defeating Oregon and embarrassing Washington, they earned a spot in the Canadian National Championships, held in St Catherines, . UBC surprised the confident Eastern Canadian crews by taking both national titles in the 8’s and the 4’s. They dominated their rivals by more than six boat lengths in their respective races. It was at this time that UBC was recognized as a potential powerhouse in the world of rowing and both crews would go on to represent Canada at the 1956 Summer Olympic Rowing Teams on holiday in Hawaii. (Ogawa Family photo, 1956) Olympics. made during the gliding portion of the for the Canadians to race against the The entire Canadian stroke disrupts the shell’s balance, stronger American university crews. Olympic Team flew by charter to causing the oars to slap the water and They then set off to England to Melbourne with fuel stops in Hawaii, reducing the shell’s speed. compete in the famous Henley on the Fiji, Canton Islands and Sydney. Their only race that year Thames Regatta that they had been After arriving at the airport, most of took place in late 1954 against the invited to the previous year. They the athletes continued on to the main University of Washington Huskies on arrived early to practice on the Olympic village located in Lake Washington. The Huskies, who Thames and then went on to defeat Melbourne. The rowing and canoeing were well equipped with dozens of the reigning champions, Russia, in the events were held at Ballarat on Lake shells, a crew house, and years of semi finals. On July 2, 1955, in the Wendouree, some 80 miles inland experience, dominated. UBC Henley Grand Challenge Cup Final, from Melbourne. Due to this long returned home for more practice UBC lost to the University of distance from the Olympic Stadium, sessions in Coal Harbour and Pennsylvania by approximately half the Canadians and all of their fellow switched to dry land exercises at War a boat length. After the regatta, they rowing competitors unfortunately Memorial Gym during the winter visited the Russian Embassy, Windsor missed the opening ceremonies as months. Castle and met the Mayor of London. racing started the very next day. The first big race in 1955 was It was then off for a week in Paris Each race consisted of four the Western Sprints that took place as well as a stopover in New York crews, with the top two from each at Newport, California in late May on the way home. After Henley, a heat advancing. During the first just after exams. It was a good test number of members graduated and closely battled heat, the Australians 6 Photo finish at the 1956 Olympic Games Eights final with USA (top), Australia (centre) and Canada (bottom). (Ogawa Family photo, 1956) finished first followed by Canada and lead and held on for the gold, with Hungarian refugees to Canada. Carl the USA with only a boat’s length Canada taking silver and Australia and crew had to disembark their separating the three. With the USA bronze. The winning times were: plane in Hawaii due to the crisis. finishing third, they were required to USA 6 min. 35.2 sec., Canada 6 min. In early December of 1956, compete in the reparche in order to 37.1 sec., and Australia 6 min. 39.2 the Canadian crews returned home advance to the semi-finals. In the sec. Canada’s 4’s went on to win to a hero’s welcome. For their semi-finals, Canada beat out Sweden gold in their event, defeating the USA achievements, they received medals while the USA, who had won the by 9.6 seconds. from the Mayor of Vancouver and reparche, defeated the Australians. The crew then traveled to each received three UBC Block The top four crews, Canada, USA, Tasmania for another regatta and Letters that represent excellence in Sweden and Australia advanced to ended up missing the closing university sports. the finals. ceremonies. The return trip home The 8’s may not have won The finals were held on involved a welcomed, but the top award of Olympic gold but November 24, 1956. It was a tight unscheduled, week-long rest in being second best in the world was battle between the USA, Canada and Hawaii. At the time, the Hungarian an incredible accomplishment. And I Australia over the entire 2000-meter Revolution was taking place and can proudly say that my father is an course. The USA, with an Canadian planes were being rerouted Olympic Silver Medalist. a outstanding start, maintained their to Europe to help evacuate Olympic Dreams by Alan Sakai Sometimes I still wake up in the surface. The recent excitement tatami by participating in Judo and the night sweating, dreaming about of the 2010 Olympic Games bid and competing in the Olympic Games. the few years I spent competing at subsequent awarding of the Games Some lessons and memories may be the international level in Judo. I guess to Vancouver revived my worth sharing. the intensity of grappling face to face, recollections of competing in the 1972 As with many things, luck toe to toe with another human being Olympics in Munich, Germany. With and timing, preparation and support leaves deep impressions in the body’s the passing of time and the gaining played a large part in determining my memory that never goes away. Only of some life experiences, I now have opportunity to go to the Olympic a little encouragement is needed for come to realize that I was deeply Games. Judo was a young Olympic such memories to come churning to affected both on and off the judo Continued on page 8 7 The 1972 Canadian Olympic Judo Team: Hiroshi Nakamura, Alan Sakai, William McGregor, Phillip Illingworth, Terry Farnsworth and Doug Rogers. (Alan Sakai photo, 1972) sport that just eight years earlier had the summer. clothing and training suits he had been included for the first time in the After being selected to the picked up in Canada. Fortunately, he Tokyo Games, where Doug Rogers Olympic team I continued to train. In chose sizes that fit me well. I also won a Silver medal in Judo for those days, Judo in British Columbia met sensei, Hiroshi Nakamura, who Canada. At that time the criteria to took a break after the Canadian was to guide the training of the go to the Olympics was to be selected Championships so I was pretty much Olympic team for the next two by your home country. That probably left to continue at the local club. weeks. would not hold sway now. You must Frank Sakai, my uncle and head I finally arrived at the rank in the top echelons in the world sensei and other Steveston Judo Club Olympic Village late in August, a few to be eligible to even participate in members continued to train with me. days before the opening ceremonies the Olympic tournament. Arrangements were made for some and began practicing and watching I was seventeen in 1972 and local fighters to come and practice the other athletes. It was then I had won the Canadian High School with me. realized the magnitude of the Championships and then placed I was also selected to a competition. Many of the other second in the Senior Championships team, which was to train in Germany teams were very professional in their in May. I was selected to the for four weeks prior to the Olympics. preparations and I could see that my Olympic Team because of these I spent much of July and August provincial training was not going to results. There was some controversy traveling and training in Europe. take me to that level. With about this decision because of my However, the training trip was cut Nakamura sensei’s connections in young age and the fact that I had only short due to some difficulties with the Japan, I was able to practice and do placed second at the senior level. I organizers. I was not to get much randori with members of the did not know much about the international training and competition. Japanese Olympic team, which selection process but as I understood In August, I met Leo Haunsberger included several world champions. it, the decision was contested and at Lahr, Germany. He was the A few days later, I though I was selected I was not Olympic Judo team manager, and he remember going to the competition certain about the final outcome until provided me with the Olympic site in awe. The competition was set 8 and I had drawn a British fighter. The feeling did not last long. Lausanne, Switzerland and won my competition area was on a raised On Sept 5th events took first match and lost my second in a platform and there were television place which changed everything. decision. Again my loss was close but cameras, other media and more Eleven Israeli athletes were taken I needed more technical and physical spectators than I had ever hostage by Palestinian terrorists and development. I was not prepared to experienced in Canada. I waited were killed during a day-long siege go elsewhere to train and compete. anxiously for my match dreaming of in the village and later at a shootout And, perhaps the joy of winning upsets and the possibility of medals. at the airport which also left five matches was not enough to offset I was called to the mat area and captors and 1 policeman dead. This the pressures of not losing. I started faced my opponent. I heard hajime tragedy changed the course of university and the challenge of the and the shiai started. I felt that I history and took away any perception academic world caught my interest was not physically out-matched by there might have been about the and I decided to devote my time and the British fighter, but I did not have innocence of athletic events. efforts to learn about teaching and enough technical knowledge to get Everyone at the Games was stopped competing. I threw myself past his grappling techniques. I was deeply affected by these events. All into becoming a teacher and husband knocked down a couple of times and the athletes were told to stay in the and father. Later, I continued my though the match lasted the full eight rooms at the Athletes’ Village and we studies in education and became a minutes I lost in a hantei decision were given very little information school administrator. made by the judges. My very basic about what was going on. All I knew Long into my 40’s now I still provincial and national experiences was that something different was have dreams about competition and were not enough to win at this level. happening that was not supposed to the Olympics but mostly I think about Takao Kawaguchi of Japan happen at an athletic event. Armed the things I learned over the years. I eventually won the minus 139 pound personnel were all around the village learned about the importance of category. complex. When the details were physical development and health, the I was disappointed with my finally given out I quickly learned that importance of having the performance and remember feeling there were issues in this world that perseverance to complete tasks even quite despondent. For the next few were more important than winning the most tedious ones. Judo is fought days I watched the Japanese team and losing a Judo match even if it was on an individual basis but one cannot do well but the victory I remember in the Olympics. progress without others to practice most was by a Russian judoka, Schota The decision to continue on and compete with and without the Chochoshvili, who threw Sasahara of with the Games was made amid much senseis to teach the skills. In this way Japan with an ippon seionage and controversy, which continues to be learning to respect others is important eventually won in the light debated to this day. Olga Korbut won in Judo. To me sport is only as heavyweight category. It was the hearts of fans to gymnastics and important as the lessons it teaches considered by many to be quite an Mark Spitz won seven Gold medals and any sport is not an end in itself upset. I spent much of my next few in swimming. The Canadian but a means to promote health and days in a fog wondering what to do swimming team won several medals the search for harmony. I wish the with myself. I watched some of the led by a young Leslie Cliff’s silver terrorists of 1972 had felt the same other events and wondered where I medal. The games ended with the way. fit in all of this. I was pretty much usual march into the Olympic Stadium I am still an instructor at the left to myself to explore Munich and but much of the joy I felt during the Steveston Judo Club and believe that the Athletes’ Village for the rest of opening had faded by then. Somehow Judo is a sport that teaches many the time. I was impressed by the I found my way back to Lahr, important lessons and skills. I wish Athlete’s Village where I was fed Germany with the Judo team and on every young boy and girl could learn night and day for free and everything a military flight back to Canada. Judo. I still watch many of my own an athlete needed was provided for. I competed in two more senseis, now long into retirement In the evening there was Canadian Championships where I years, continue to teach judo. I think entertainment and a chance to meet placed second and third. I competed they are the real Olympic champions athletes from around the world. This in one world championship in of Judo. a was an athlete’s paradise. This

9 Toshio Uyede’s Reminisces of the Victoria Judo Club by Yoshio Shimizu Minoru Akiyama, a graduate finally arrived in Victoria at the the building of a new dojo behind of Meiji University, was on his way “Outer Wharves” where the large 1003 Caledonia Avenue under the home after his studies at the boats from the Orient docked, but able direction of Shiro Koyama. University of Toronto when he Customs would not release them. Hideo Takahashi (Nidan) arrived in stopped at the Ozawa Hotel in After much negotiation, they insisted Victoria to take over “My Valet” Victoria. He was offered a job as a that the mats be fumigated. This was cleaners from Mitsuo Takahashi. He Japanese language teacher. done and the new mats were a big became our Sensei or Shihan until Akiyama started a judo class while change and much enjoyed by all. the evacuation. teaching Japanese. Someone Akiyama returned to Japan but we Kunizo Uyede bought a obtained an old gym mat, which we carried on. house on 929 Caledonia Avenue rolled out onto the floor of Ozawa’s Kunio Shimizu helped keep where there was a shed in the back. dining room. Many people sprained the club going until the Ozawa Hotel With help from Koyama, a new floor their ankles on the lumpy mat. Kunio closed. The mats were moved to the was put in and that became our new Uyede canvassed the community to vacant Ishida Hotel and later to the dojo until the evacuation. The tatami obtain judo mats (tatami) from Japan. Uyede’s at 1003 Caledonia Avenue. were stored and remained there until Akiyama wrote to his mother who The room was not quite large enough they were shipped to Tashme, after ordered the mats for us and so Uyede and Henmi and others judo was started at this internment supervised the mat making. The mats obtained donations, which allowed for camp. a

Members of the Victoria Judo Club. Front row: Bob Henmi, Shoji Uyede, Mutsumi Uyede, Hidekazu Takahashi. Second row: Hideo Takahashi (sensei), Tsutomu Shimizu, Kiyo (Tasaka) Ise, Mamoru Uyede, George Uyede, Terry Uyede, Kunizo Uyede (sensei). Third row: Hayashi, Kiyoshi Shimizu, Umekichi Uyede, Yasuke Hasegawa, Sokichi Henmi. Fourth row: Victor Kusumoto, George Hasegawa, Toshio Uyede, unknown, unknown, Bradbury, Katsumi Uyede, Jack Itsuo Henmi. (Yoshio Shimizu photo, 1936)

10 Remembering by Frank Moritsugu What were the Vancouver with why the Asahi accomplishments Asahi like? I mean the elite pre-World meant so much to us back in those Chinese Canadians and East-Indian War II Japanese Canadian baseball years. Canadians weren’t baseball-mad like team—the team that was deservedly * * * our people were. inducted into the Canadian Baseball My first memory of the So at this first-to-us Asahi Hall of Fame this past June. It’s a Vancouver Asahi was when I was game, Ken and I sat with Dad in the fair question. After all, although the still wearing short pants—that is, in bleachers near first base, which was Asahi team played in Vancouver the 1930s when I was in elementary on the Dunlevy Ave. side of the leagues for nearly 30 years, it was school. Dad, like most issei fathers, Grounds. And we kids were able to forced to disband more than 60 years was a keen baseball fan. He followed watch from close up the famous ago. That was in 1942, that traumatic the Asahi, went to as many of their Asahi players we’d heard about and year when the mass expulsion from games as he could, and read about read about. During the years the Pacific Coast destroyed our their games regularly in the following we saw more Asahi games existing communities and drastically TAIRIKU NIPPO, one of the three at other parks, too, such as Con Jones changed our lives. Japanese language daily newspapers. Park in east-end Vancouver near So it takes an octogenarian Not only that, he took the DAILY Hastings Park where we attended the like me to recall who some of the star PROVINCE to keep up with the Exhibition each summer. players were and what they major-league games during the time * * * accomplished. And what the Asahi, when Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and There were about 80 issei individually and collectively, meant to Jimmy Foxx were doing their things and nisei who wore the Asahi uniform the rest of us during difficult times of on those diamonds in the eastern during the team’s life. Personally, I the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s in prewar U.S. missed most of the original issei British Columbia. Here are some of One day, Dad took me and players because they were active the things I’d tell a grandchild when brother Ken downtown (we lived in before my game-watching time. But she or he becomes interested enough Vancouver’s Kitsilano district) to here are some players from the 1930s to listen to another of Jiichan’s Powell Street Grounds to watch the and 1940s whom I will never forget, stories. Mind you, I’d condense some Asahi play. Their usual opponents most of them are nisei. of the stories because all that follows were all-white teams—in that era To begin, Roy Yamamura, is a bit much for any youngster’s there were hardly any black persons the greatest Asahi star. His years attention span. And I would wind up living in B.C., and for some reason Continued on page 12 Facts about the induction of the Vancouver Asahi team in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame: Date: Saturday, June 28, 2003. Place: St. Marys, ON (near London and Stratford). Other 2003 inductees: , Toronto Blue Jays star and 1993 World Series star; Kirk McCaskill, Kapuskasing , Ontario-born pitcher with second winningest major-league record by a Canadian next to ; Richard Belec, Canadian amateur baseball leader in Quebec & nationally. Attendance: Estimated 1,000 (of whom about 100 were Nikkei). Asahi players attending: Ken Kutsukake, Mickey Maikawa, Kaye Kaminishi, Mike Maruno and Kiyoshi Suga. Presenting the Asahi in the ceremony: Pat Adachi, author of Asahi: Legend in Baseball. Speaking for the players: Kiyoshi Suga and Ken Kutsukake. The five other Asahi survivors unable to attend: Yuki Uno, Bob Higuchi (Yasui), Ken Shimada, Jim Fukui and George Yoshinaka. Major highlight of the ceremony: The huge applause that greeted the Asahi whenever they were introduced, and particularly when the Asahi were announced and mounted the stage to receive their handsome Hall of Fame jackets which they donned with the help of baseball great and earlier Canadian Hall of Fame member Fergy Jenkins.

11 Asahi baseball team in front of the CANADA DAILY NEWS office in Vancouver. (JCNM photo, ca. 1925) were 1923 until 1941, mainly as a (Yasui) was an outfielder from 1928- Pat Adachi’s history, Asahi: Legend dazzling twinkletoes shortstop and 33. For me and my close friends and in Baseball). The outfield at Powell later as manager. He typified the fellow baseball addicts, the Yasui Grounds had no fencing. Left field Asahi team style being the best of a brothers and Roy Yamamura as Asahi was bordered by Jackson Avenue, bunch of small guys who fielded regulars had special meaning because centre field by Jackson and Cordova nimbly and hit singles rather than they were from Kitsilano, our part of Street, and right field by Cordova. homers. And ran the bases like they Vancouver. And so was Chuck And most Asahi games would have owned them. Let an Asahi get on Terada, an Asahi nigun (second- spectators standing on the sidewalks base with a hit, a walk or allow him team) player who his friends of those outfield streets. So when a to bunt and the other guys were in hopefully thought was on the brink big fly was hit to left and Shiraishi trouble. Squeeze plays and double of joining the big team when it had to was chasing after it, the crowd would steals were a normal part of their disband. part to allow him to run and reach game. Although some sluggers did Other personal impressions the ball. On the other hand, if the come along in the latter years such from my Asahi-following years: The Asahi were batting and one of them as pitcher-outfielder Kaz Suga and quick and reliable second-baseman hit one to the far left, did the catcher Koei Mitsui, the Asahi more George Shishido who was a smooth spectators move? What do you think? frequently beat their physically bigger doubleplay partner for shortstop The Cordova Street border of the and stronger opponents by clever Yamamura. Herbie Tanaka, one of park also had large trees which meant strategy and speed—what was called the Tanaka brothers, who covered centrefielders such as Eddie “brain ball” by some. Plus some third base while across the field Joe Kitagawa and rightfielders such as smart pitching by those such as Fukui handled first base. And in the Mousie Masuda and Naggie Naggie Nishihara, Kaz Suga, his outfield, leftfielder Frank Shiraishi Nishihara (when he wasn’t pitching) older brother Ty Suga, and Mickey who ran gracefully and hardly let any had to keep a sharp eye on where Maikawa. The best-known catcher ball hit in his area get away. In fact, they might be heading. Also that part was Reg Yasui who played from one story told about Frank Shiraishi’s of the Grounds was short so that a 1923-37. His brother Bob Higuchi sleek fielding went like this: (from ball hit onto Cordova Street or beyond 12 was an automatic two-base hit. Roy Naggie, one of the few tall Asahi the relatively few immigrants who Kurita, who was a youngster when players, threw overhand in a most were allowed to take out citizenship. his family lived on Cordova across striking windup style. In playing catch As it was also true for the World War from the Grounds, said recently that with my brothers or buddies, I often I veterans who returned in 1918 from when the Asahi were playing, it was tried to imitate Naggie’s style, though dangerous battles in Europe. Those always exciting to see if balls would I think I failed dismally. As for survivors had to fight at home for six be hit into their front garden, while Tommy Sawayama, he lived on the years before they (and only they) hopefully not smashing a window. family farm in Haney, 30 miles from were reluctantly granted the vote. Eddie Kitagawa, by the way, Vancouver. And I am told that after And as we were growing up, played from 1917 to 1931 so I don’t a day’s work on the farm he would swirling around us in the local recall seeing him on the field. But somehow commute to Vancouver for newspapers and on the radio were later, even the young kid I was got to an Asahi practice or a game. And in regular anti-Oriental opinions and know him and fellow Asahi Frank those days, 30 miles was far. attitudes. Not only in letters to the Nakamura who played second base I suppose it isn’t necessary editor but also in the editorials and during 1923-34. That’s because the to remind the reader that Powell speeches by elected politicians and two nisei were both on the staff of Street Grounds was renamed other community leaders. And during the Bank of Montreal branch at Main Oppenheimer Park some time ago. all this, a team of Japanese Canadians & Hastings, at the edge of Japantown But each August it is the site of the in Vancouver showed the other (Nihonmachi) and cater-corner to Powell Street Festival which teams in the baseball leagues they the Carnegie Library & Museum. commemorates the era when played in that they could be the best. Dad had an account there, as many Japantown had that park as one of The Asahi took several Japanese Canadians did because its landmarks. What’s more, baseball championships to prove it as the rest Eddie and Frank were the first JCs is played there still, sometimes by of us exulted thankfully. On the level to get such work. It was quite Japanese Canadian teams—which is playing field of amateur baseball, our exciting for these eager fans to see only as it should be. best guys showed them we could be these Asahi stars in their smart * * * just as good as, no matter what civilian clothes smiling at you from Why did the Asahi and their anyone said. And it was no accident their teller windows at the bank. wonderful diamond accomplishments that appreciation and applause for Another Asahi great, who mean so much to the rest of us? The their expert and sportsmanlike was an incredible marvel, was pitcher answer: What they managed to baseball playing eventually came George Tanaka. He was an Asahi accomplish was at a time in our from sports reporters of the from 1922-33. The marvel part was history when the odds were stacked downtown dailies and the white that he only had one hand, and yet against us Japanese Canadians and ballpark audiences, too. Then during he not only pitched but also played other Asian Canadians in our native the wartime incarceration and in the outfield. Later he became manager and home province. During the 1920s, postwar resettlement years, several and his Asahi won the Terminal 1930s and into the war against Japan, former Asahi in interior B.C. League Championship in 1933. these were some of the restrictions detention camps helped the rest of Later as a highschooler and in B.C. against people who looked us bear our humiliating existences by beyond, when following the Asahi like us. Some movie theatres would organizing baseball games. For more became a more religious rite, I only allow you to sit in certain places details, please watch the superbly followed their games in reports in the such as the balcony. (The same kind made National Film Board English section of the TAIRIKU of segregation was then common documentary, Sleeping Tigers; the NIPPO or the newly started English- against the blacks in the American Asahi Baseball Story, just released language weekly, The NEW South.) At Vancouver’s Crystal Pool, this year. This 51-minute film was CANADIAN. So I kept up on the an indoor swimming place, we were also instrumental in the Asahi being game-by-game exploits of players not allowed in. Many jobs for elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall such as catcher Ken Kutsukake, first Japanese immigrants and their of Fame. As for even more individual baseman Yuki Uno, shortstop Mike offsprings paid less for the same work details about the players Maruno, infielder Kaye Kaminishi, done by other employees. And worst accompanied by remembrances from pitcher Tommy Sawayama, as well of all, for those of us born in Canada some fans, look at Pat Adachi’s as Kaz Suga and Naggie Nishihara. we still weren’t allowed to vote when history Asahi: Legend in Baseball, Kaz was a southpaw thrower, while we turned 21. That was also true for published in 1992. Illustrated with Continued on page 14 13 many individual and team photos, it’s purchased at these centres. a nominated the Vancouver Asahi to available in JC community Frank Moritsugu, the Canadian Baseball Hall of collections, and can also be journalist and baseball fan, Fame. Kamloops Nisei Baseball Team by Ken Kochi The Kamloops Nisei Athletic powerful Nisei team swept the league Ken Kochi shutout the Kamloops Club MOHAWKS were a with 9 wins, 1 loss season. They JAY-RAYS for 8 innings. The powerhouse Nisei baseball team were fan favourites wherever they MOHAWKS demolished the JAY- playing in the BC Interior Baseball played, and were invited to many RAYS 17 to 3 (KAMLOOPS League in the mid-1950s. They were baseball tournaments in the interior. SENTINAL, 04-06-1956). Gordie little known outside of Kamloops and They tried to match up with the Miyahara, Ken Kochi, Joe Yamake the BC interior. The MOHAWKS Vancouver Nisei baseball team, but and Tosh Takenaka hit home runs in played out of North Kamloops’ were never able to find a suitable the last game of the 1956 season McDonald Park and were comprised open date during the summer season. against the Rutland ADANACS of thirteen Japanese Canadian nisei It would have been an interesting (Kamloops SENTINEL, ?-?-1956). and two Chinese Canadians. The match up! If the MOHAWKS were team was coached by Pat Miyahara This team was unique for a playing out of Toronto or Vancouver, and managed by Johnny Shimodaira. Nisei baseball team with long-ball it would have had a lot more The MOHAWKS were the hitters and strong pitching. In an recognition as a “powerhouse” Nisei BC Interior Baseball League especially forceful pitching game, baseball team in the mid-1950s. a champions in 1955. And in 1956, the

North Kamloops Mohawks, BC Interior League Champions, 1955. Back row: Tom Miyahara, Spud Kato, Sam Motokado, Joe Yamake, Stan Kato, Joe Motokado, Dick Lee, Art Yuen. Front row: Sam Aura, Gordie Miyahara, Tosh Takenaka, Johnny Shimodaira, Pat Miyahara, Sho Yamada, Ken Kochi. (Ken Kochi photo, 1955) High Boat Trophy by Mitsuo Yesaki and Larry Maekawa The Japanese Consul, Ko economy stimulated higher demand Vancouver for mild-cure salmon. The Ishii, visited the Ucluelet Fishermen’s and prices for fresh fish. Ucluelet offshore exploits of the fishermen and Association in the summer of 1936. fishermen were making good catches the operation and economic viability The great depression of the 1930s and their Association was finding of the Association duly impressed was over and the recovering ready markets in Seattle and Consul Ishii. Upon his return to 14 states, “I was high boat for three years, 1936,1937 and 1938, so Japanese Fishermen’s Association presented this trophy to me at end of third year, age 23 years old, James Nitsui.” The inscription on the trophy reads, “High Boat Trophy presented to Ucluelet Fishermen’s Association by Hon. Ko Ishii Japanese Consul 1936”. On the wooden base are six silver shields with the inscription U. Nitsui and year, beginning with 1933 and ending in 1938. Larry Maekawa confirms Nitsui won the high boat designation from the Ucluelet Fishermen’s Association in 1939 and 1940. Nitsui was also the high boat in 1941, but the Association did not present this award at the end of the fishing season. Jimmy Nitsui held the high boat award for a remarkable nine years! Tanezo Nitsui was one of the original Japanese fishermen to relocate their families to Ucluelet in 1922. He and his family moved from Steveston, where he had gillnetted for salmon. He purchased water frontage on “Fraser Bay’ from George Fraser and built a home. Shigeru “Jimmy” Nitsui always showed an interest in fishing. He preferred helping fishermen in rigging and repairing fishing gear than playing with his teenage peers. Jimmy started trolling at age 18 in about 1932, as soon as he became eligible for a commercial fishing license. He purchased a boat and fishing license from Gonnosuke Yamashita, an Issei who returned to Mio, Jimmy Nitsui with high boat trophy and certificate. (Nitsui Wakayama during the depression. From the very Family photo, 1938) beginning, he was the consummate fisherman: the earliest Vancouver, he purchased a trophy, which he donated, to out on the grounds in the morning and the last to return in the Ucluelet Fishermen’s Association on September 29, the evening. In 1938, he contracted the Kishi Boat Works 1936 for awarding to the fisherman with the highest catch in Steveston to build a forty-foot troller, the SILVER for the year. The accompanying photograph shows SPRING. The above photograph was probably taken at Shigeru Ukichi “Jimmy” Nitsui with the trophy and Columbia Studios in Vancouver when he took delivery of certificate. A handwritten note on the cardboard frame the boat. a Ozawa Hotel by Toshio Uyede I believe that the hotel was built for Mr. Jiro The carriage was later replaced by an auto driven by Ozawa at the turn of the century, the late 1800’s or the Mr. Iwamatsu Hashimoto. From Victoria, the immigrants early 1900’s on Fisgard St. on the north side between boarded the CPR ferries to Vancouver or traveled by Quadra and Blanshard Streets. He and his wife Sato and train to other places on Vancouver Island. relative Tameichi, who was the manager, ran the Mr. Jiro Ozawa would walk to the Fishermen’s hotel. The Ozawas were from the village of Mio in Wharf to buy fish every day. This of course was before Wakayama-ken from where many of the early immigrants the age of refrigeration. Mrs. Ozawa did the cooking, came. helped by Jiro. She also made tofu once a week, as well All the ships arriving from the Orient docked in as abura-age, which my family used to buy. Victoria after passing quarantine at William Head. Mr. Besides the newly arrived immigrants, single men Bunpei Kuwabara (father of Masao Kuwabara the lived there and made it their home. Other men made the baseball player) was the interpreter for the Immigration hotel their home between jobs. In later years, the trans- Office at the Outer Wharves. From there, horse-drawn Pacific ships continued onto Vancouver, reducing the carriages drove them to the Ozawa Hotel where they number of immigrant customers at the hotel. were provided Japanese meals and accommodations. Continued on page 16 15 The Ozawa Hotel became a sort of community centre where the Japanese community went to socialize. Some went regularly to play cards, Hana Fuda, Go, and Shogi. The dining room was often used for tailoring classes, shiatsu sessions, Japanese movies, concerts and judo. The picture of the hotel was taken in 1986 when I was in Victoria. It had been stuccoed, whereas the original building was brick faced. The house next to the hotel was also owned by the Ozawas and another Japanese family who operated a dry cleaning establishment and lived on House and hotel owned by the Ozawas in the early 1900s. (Yoshio Shimizu photo, the street behind the hotel. a 1986) Tatsumi Dance Group’s Trip to Lethbridge by Dawn Yoneda and Corey Matsuo On Friday, May 9"’ 2003, also housed the “Largest Convention Momiji Kai on behalf of the visiting nine members of the Tatsumi Dance Center in Southern Alberta” which groups. The event seemed destined Group accompanied by seven of their was to serve as the location for the to be a success from the beginning helpers and supporters embarked on performance and post-performance as roughly 270 faces filled the a dancing expedition to Lethbridge, dinner the next day. audience versus the 240 who were Alberta to help celebrate the 25th Much to the group’s delight, expected. The seventeen anniversary of the Momiji Kai. It has Saturday brought a warm sunny day, performances of song and dance always been our instructor’s, Mrs. contrary to the snow and cold some appeared to run rather smoothly, Hirano, vision to enrich the members were expecting after the offering up a variety of energy and experience of her students through weather of the week before. After a drama interspersed with serene out-of-town performances and to morning of hairdressing and moments of beauty. Enthusiastic lend support to the achievements of rehearsal with plenty of opportunity applause and cheering followed affiliated groups in Alberta. This trip to meet and reunite with the every number culminating with was to be the second to Alberta in members of the Alberta groups, thunderous acclaim at the finale one year, the first being to Edmonton everyone was invited to a brief performed by the entire cast. The where we participated as guest luncheon of sandwiches and three separate groups had performed performers. For some members, the homemade goodies before getting the last number as a single unit only Calgary to Lethbridge flight was their ready for the afternoon’s once before earlier in the day, which first time flying in a small, 18- performance. was a testament to the harmony of passenger plane. The members The recital was entitled the event and its members. The traveled in small groups through the “Hana no Stage” honouring the performance closed with a speech of night with the last group arriving at vibrant colours of the stage emblem appreciation by Mrs. Lilly Oishi and about 10:30 p.m. to a brisk Lethbridge consisting of a bright sun, streaming floral presentations to instructors Aya evening. Two Momiji Kai cloud and technicoloured maple leaf, Hironaka and Tatsumi Yoshikiyo. The representatives warmly greeted the the Momiji Kai’s logo. Mr. Roland recital was followed by a lovely sit- members. From the airport, the group Ikuta, the host for the evening, down dinner in a large room adjacent went directly to rejoin the other introduced the president of the to the performance area where members already comfortably settled Momiji Kai, Mrs. Lil Yamashita, who spectators, friends, family members in at the Lethbridge Travelodge gave the welcome address. Mr. and performers had an opportunity Hotel. Conveniently, the Travelodge Hirano followed by congratulating the to mingle, socialize and renew 16 members. Before heading to the airport, many of the visiting members had an opportunity to explore the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, see the Nikkei tapestry display at the Sir Alexander Gait Museum, and even slip in a little shopping thanks to the kindness of many Momiji members and their families. Despite a slightly bumpier flight back to Vancouver, the excursion was a tremendous success. Not only was the trip an opportunity for a youthful group from BC to expand their knowledge and experience of Japanese Canadian Members of the Tatsumi Dance, Kaede Kai and Momiji Kai groups on stage of heritage, but also an occasion to the Convention Centre in Lethbridge. (Mary Hirano photo, 2003) observe and share in the talents, harmony, and dedication of the acquaintances. After a quick clean Ericksen’s Family Restaurant and the Momiji group. The Tatsumi Dancers up, the remainder of the evening was visiting Tatsumi Dancers from very happy with this year’s event and spent resting, relaxing, and just Vancouver and Kaede Kai Dancers look forward to possibly rejoining unwinding in good company. from Calgary were presented with many of their Alberta friends again On Sunday, all the adorable handcrafted dolls made as when the Kaede Kai Dancers hold participants were invited to a lavish thank you gifts by the Momiji group their recital next year in Calgary. a Mother’s Day Brunch at Sven A Christmas Eve Miracle: Strange but True by Toshio Uyede broke out with Japan in 1941. First we were put into Hastings Park in Vancouver. After a couple of weeks, my brothers and I were put on a train heading to a road camp in Schreiber, Ontario. A few weeks later we volunteered to go to work in the sugar beet fields of southwestern Ontario. We were housed in the fairgrounds building in Glencoe, south of London. At the camp we had a RCMP constable who controlled our movements. In Appin, just north of Glencoe, there was a United Church Methodist Home for Oriental Women and Children in Victoria. (Toshio Uyede minister, Rev. Al Stone, a missionary photo, date unknown) in Japan, who had returned to Canada because of the war. He told In Victoria, B.C. there was the home, there was a small building us that Miss Martin was in hospital a home for Oriental women and where two ladies, Miss Baker and in London. A friend from Victoria children run by the Methodist Miss Henderson, ran a kindergarten. and I obtained permission from the Church. Its Superintendent was Miss We went there to learn English, constable to go to London to see her. Anne Martin. Most of the residents which was never spoken at home. Is She told us that Miss Henderson was were Chinese or Japanese. It was enabled us to start public school. in Hamilton. here that my father and mother were We were forced to leave After the camp closed at the married in December 1912. Behind Victoria,in April of 1942, after war Continued on page 18 17 Miss Henderson; who was married to Mr.Dorsey but was now living with her two daughters since her husband’s death. She said that she was a member of Melrose United Church, but had decided to go to Centenary that night. Imagine the odds! Of all the churches in Hamilton and all the pews in Centenary, we happened to meet there. In the spring, I left my job at MacGregor’s and looked for another job. It was not easy. Being classified as “enemy aliens” did not make it any easier. I finally got a job at the C.I.L. fertilizer factory. I also had to find a place to live. That was not easy either. Many places had “ROOMS Oriental children under the care of the Methodist Home for Oriental Women and Children. (Toshio Uyede photo, date unknown) TO LET” signs in their windows, but as soon as I knocked on their doors end of the sugar beet harvest, I got a after three grandchildren. and they saw me, the answer was job on a dairy farm just outside of On Christmas Eve, I went to “Sorry, the room is already rented.” London, at Wilton Grove. Just a church service at Centenary At last I found an ad in the paper and before Christmas, I found a job in United. As I was sitting there, a lady found a room at 81 Bold St. What Hamilton as a houseboy, working for came and sat beside me. We started do you know? It was next door to an elderly couple, who were looking talking and I found out that she was Mrs. Dorsey’s! a JCNM at the Powell Street Festival, August 2nd & 3rd, 2003 by Elmer Morishita The Japanese Canadian a great deal of interest in our booth. to update the database of biographies National Museum participated in the A continuous stream of people with information provided by some of 2003 Powell Street Festival with an looked at the exhibits and books, the visitors to the exhibit. The information and display booth in the asking questions and offering historical walking tour was very Vancouver Buddhist Church: information about their experiences. popular with each tour - An exhibit of the history of Book sales over the two days grossed accommodating more people than the Japanese Canadians, prepared by about $1,700. Best sellers were: maximum of 10. The last tour of the John Greenaway. Memories of Our Past (History of Festival had about 25 to 30 people. - An exhibit of Japanese Canadian Powell Street) and the Sleeping Special thanks to the tour guides for fishermen prepared by the Nikkei Tigers video. leading the larger than normal groups. Fishermen’s Project Committee. The JC history exhibit They created goodwill for the JCNM - A table with books about provided an overview of our past in and made all those who were Japanese Canadians for a very compact display, with excellent accommodated happy. browsing and for sale. bilingual (English and Japanese) The database was used - A genealogical database to captions for everyone. The sharing periodically with several people search for information about our of the booth space with the learning more about their ancestors. parents and grandparents. Fishermen was an excellent idea Thanks to all of our - Historical walking tours of since it provided a more in-depth look volunteers. Our participation in the Powell Street. at one aspect of JC history. The Festival would not have been possible Fishermen’s Committee presented without you. Finally, congratulations The beautiful weather some biographies as well as an and thanks to the Powell Street brought large crowds to the Festival overview of the life of fishermen in Festival. We look forward to next and to the JCNM exhibit. There was the pre-war era. They were also able year’s Festival. a 18 Report from the JCNM by Steve Turnbull, Manager Curator In my last report to you in Strength and Pride From the visiting the NNMHC. The Museum’s June, I noted how I intend to strive JCNM Collection”, showcases volunteer Education Coordinator Mas to fulfil the great expectations the some of the Museum’s recent Fukawa, working with a consultative many supporters of the JCNM have artifact and archival acquisitions. The committee of teachers from for their Museum. I am pleased to six components of the exhibit each Coquitlam School District, is report some months later that the tell the distinct story embodied in the developing a program that will Museum is indeed making good artifacts of that component. Among feature Japanese Canadian history progress toward fulfilling those the stories told are: and culture. It is tailored for the expectations. Here are some of the “Baseball Heroes”, a look Grade 11 Social Studies curriculum. examples of that progress: at the Asahi baseball team; It will include “survivors talks” by “Tomekichi Homma” the story of individuals who were interned during New Staff the Nikkei community’s famous WW II. An overview of the new Elizabeth Nunoda has been human rights crusader, and “The program will be presented at the hired as the new Volunteer Spirit of 1977” which focuses on annual meeting of B.C. Social Coordinator for the National Nikkei the Centennial celebrations that Studies teachers in October. Museum and Heritage Centre. She surrounded the 100th anniversary of started work on July 29th. In this the arrival of the first Nikkei in New Acquisitions position Liz will serve both the Canada. The material on display The Acquisitions Committee Museum and the larger organization comprising as it does both the unique of the JCNM gathered in late May of which it is now a part. Liz comes and the ordinary represents a for its semi-annual meeting and to us with a long history of fascinating cross-section of Canadian approved dozens of artifacts plus involvement in the local Japanese Nikkei life, history and culture. photos and other archival materials Canadian community-including The spirited crowd in for addition to the Museum’s valuable contributions to the JCNM attendance received the exhibit with increasingly significant collection. as a volunteer. If you are interested warmth and enthusiasm and had high Offers continue to arrive at the in volunteer opportunities at the praise for the fine job done by Co- Museum at a steady pace. For more NNMHC or you just want to make Curators Daien Ide and Timothy information on the collection and her feel welcome you may reach Liz Savage. Among the speakers at the recent additions to it feel free to call at (604) 777-7000, Local 102. event were Tenney Homma , grand- the Museum staff at 777-7000. Hannah Lindy is a daughter of Tomekichi , and Jiro temporary employee funded under Kamiya whose life as a skilled Powell Street Festival the Federal Summer Career carpenter is one of the stories Once again this year the Placement Program and worked at featured in the exhibit. The reception Museum played a significant role in the Museum from June until the end was planned and hosted by members the Powell Street Festival in of August. In addition to performing of the NNMHC Volunteer Auxillary Vancouver. The booth in the various duties around the Museum, who provided the tasty range of Vancouver Buddhist Church featured Hannah has been providing valuable refreshments that topped a perfect a new display on the history of the research assistance to Grace Eiko evening. Special thanks go to Minnie Nikkei in Canada, the genealogical Thomson, coordinator of the Hattori and Frank Kamiya for their database with which visitors could Japanese Canadian Studio tremendous work in making the event research their family history, and Photographers project, I reported on happen. sales of books from the Museum in the Summer edition of NIKKEI Shop’s impressive stock. The IMAGES. New School Programs Museum shared its booth with one Progress continues on the of its most important partners, the New Exhibit new traveling kit program Nikkei Fishermen’s Committee which The JCNM proudly unveiled “Journeys” which will be officially distributed information on its on-going its newest exhibit at a community launched at a special gathering history project and pending book on reception held July 28. The exhibit, September 18 during Nikkei week at Nikkei Fishermen. The all-volunteer entitled “One Hundred Years Of the NNMHC. Work has also begun effort of staffing and planning the Nikkei Experience; Stories of on a new program for students Continued on page 20 19 booth was very ably organized by Legacy of the Asahi Baseball Managers. Ms. Thomson and Ms. NNMHC. Board member Elmer Team 1914-1942”. The new Adachi will be exhibit Co-Curators. Morishita and his son Kenji both of exhibit, now projected to open during Many other talented and dedicated whom put in countless hours to Nikkei Week in September 2004 will individuals from within and outside ensure that the booth was the great be developed by a talented and the Japanese Canadian community success that it was. The Museum dynamic team, which will include: are also expected to be making their also offered Powell Street Walking -NNHC Board member and former own valuable contributions to the tours, a long-standing Museum National Redress Foundation project. contribution to the Festival, splendidly Director Tony Tamayose While there is much more to organized by Museum staffer Daien -Celebrated poet and SFU Professor report there is no more space here in Ide. Roy Miki which to report it. If you would like -Former JCNM Executive Director to know more please feel free to give Asahi Exhibit Project Grace Eiko Thomson me a call at the Museum (604) 777- At its July meeting the Board -Toronto-based author and leading 7000, Local 112 or contact me by e- of Directors of the NNMHC authority on the Asahi team Patricia mail at [email protected]. I approved an organizational Adachi. will be delighted to discuss the many framework for the completion of the Dr. Miki and Mr. Tamayose exciting things unfolding at your major new travelling exhibit will assume the role of Project Co- Museum. a “Levelling The Playing Field: Message from the President, Fred Yada We look forward to an Donald M. Bell, Robert Bessler, Robert Nimi, George Oikawa, exciting and challenging first year of Ruth Coles (Vice President), Virginia Sato, Dennis Shikaze, the merged National Nikkei Museum Stan Fukawa (Past President), Henry Shimizu, Tony Tamayose, and Heritage Centre. We have good Roy Hamaguchi, Mitsuo Fred Yada (President), Sam people and excellent programmes Hayashi (Past President), Yamamoto. and activities for both the museum Gordon R. Kadota, Frank Thank you, and please join and the cultural centre. Kamiya (Vice President), Paul us on September 13 for our annual I would like to introduce our Kariya, Albert Kokuryo community celebration dinner as well Board of Directors and Executive: (Treasurer), David Masuhara, as the Nikkei activities during the Robert T. Banno (President of Art Miki, Elmer Morishita, Craig week of September 14 – 20, 2003. Nikkei Place Foundation), Ngai Natsuhara (Secretary), a

New and Renewed National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre Members from May 16 - August 13, 2003 Ms. Hazel A. Chong Yuki & Kay Koyanagi Miss Miriam Smith Alan & Ruriko Davis Ms. Tracy Matsuo Steveston Judo Club LA Dinsmore Mr. & Mrs. Hiroyuki Morimoto Ms. Masako O. Stillwell Mr. & Mrs. Ken Ezaki Les & Phyllis Murata Mr. Ed Suguro Mr. & Mrs. James Fukui Ms. Fumie Nakagawa Kumi Sutcliffe Ms. Andrea Geiger-Adams Mrs. Shoko Nakagawa David & Aiko Sutherland Hiro and Kaz Hasebe Ms. Rei Nakashima Mr. Mike Takahashi Mr. Yoshiharu Hashimoto Ms. Gabrielle Nishiguchi Ms. Harumi Tamoto Mrs. Susan Hidaka Harry & Shoko Nishimura Kinzie & Terry Tanaka Gordon & Joan S. Imai Ms. Sakuya Nishimura Ms. Evelyn Terada Mrs. Kimiko Inouye Yoshio & Kazuko Ogura Mark & June Tsuyuki Mrs. Masumi Izumi Mrs. Mary Ohara Vancouver Shomonkai Sung Ae Kae Ms. Amy Okazaki Aikido Association Ms. Kimiko Kajiwara Mrs. Joanne R. Rollins Rusty & Ryoko Ward Roger & Joyce Kamikura Mrs. Michi Saito Bill & Keiko Yamaura Miss Dottie Karr Mr. Terry T. Sakai Dick & Kumiko Yamazaki Makoto & Mary Kawamoto Dr. Henry Shimizu Ms. Margaret Yoshida Matt & Jean Kobayashi Ms. Yuri Shimpo

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