BIJAC P.O. Box 10449 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

www.bijac.org SUMMER 2017 Return Service Requested Community Gathers to Commemorate 75th Anniversary of the Exclusion

Photo courtesy of Paul Dunn

“The chilly and crisp morning air did not dampen the Several survivors from the various war time concentration warm spirits of more than 250 people gathered on camps were in attendance, as well as a roster of notable speak- March 30, 2017 to witness the 75th Anniversary Com- ers, including Governor Jay Inslee, Japanese Ambassador to Mark your calendar: memoration Ceremony at the Bainbridge Island Japa- the United States Kenichiro Sasae, Bainbridge Island Mayor nese American Exclusion Memorial.” Val Tollefson, and leaders of local cultural and religious

SUMMER PICNIC 2017 So begins the narrative by BIJAC president Clarence groups. BIJAC and BIJAEMA were greeted with an outpour- Moriwaki, describing the culmination of months of ing of logistical support from COBI, BIHM, BIMA, BI Parks planning and years of reflection on Executive Order and Recreation, Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, and Saturday, August 5th 9066, the order enacted by President Franklin Roosevelt others, making the Commemoration a true community event. that would send 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry to 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. incarceration camps during World War II. The first to go were the 275 residents of Bainbridge Island of Japanese heritage. Battle Point Park Picnic Shelter Photo courtesy of Paul Dunn Picnic 2003 – Relaxing and catching up with old friends. In the days and weeks leading up to February 19th, the  day EO 9066 was signed, numerous organi- zations ranging from the State Capitol, universities, and 2017 BIJAC Annual Membership Dues $20/household. Thank you for your support! museums to religious and cultural groups held events in Via M ail: BIJAC, P.O. Box 10449, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 remembrance of the impact EO 9066 had on the Japa- Via PayPal: Visit www.bijac.org, click on “Become a member or make a tax deductible gift” on the top right nese American community. As reflected in the TV crews present at the Exclusion Memorial on March 30th, Name______the media took notice. Earlier in the year, Bainbridge Address______Cinemas hosted George Takei’s Allegiance: The Broad- way Musical on the Big Screen to benefit BIJAC. In the Photo courtesy of Paul Dunn City______State______ZIP Code______week leading up to the 75th Anniversary, Lori Matsuka- wa of KING 5 News broadcast a 4-part series, Prisoners Survivors and community members listen intently. Back row Phone: (____)______(l-r): Junji Yukawa, Yasuko Mito, Frances Ikegami, Lilly Koda- in Their Own Land: Remembering the Internment of ma, Matsue Watanabe, Doug Crist. Front row (l -r); Hisa Matsu- Enclosed: $______(checks payable to BIJAC) Japanese Americans 75 Years Later, featuring Bain- daira, Toshi Sunohara, Victor Takemoto, Sinichi Tonooka, Eiko Shibayama, Trudy Hayashida, Mary Woodward, Kay Sakai Email:______bridge Island’s own Kay Nakao and Lilly Kodama. Nakao, Mayor Val Tollefson.

Please send my BIJAC newsletter via:  Email  U.S. Postal Service  Both Email and U.S. Postal Service >> CONT. PAGE SIX Page 2 Page 3 From Issei to Today: The Takemoto Family Story

By: Bill Takemoto Photos courtesy of Takemoto Family My father Saichi Takemoto was born in 65th Anniversary of BIJAC 1885 on Oshima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The island is about the size of By: Joyce Nishimura Bainbridge and is the same island from which other Bainbridge Island families, th such as the Omotos and Nakatas, emi- On our 65 Anniversary of the founding of BIJAC, we are initiating an effort to record the history of the events and accom- grated. plishments of our community using the extensive files of Frank Kitamoto, our collective memories, and the vast library of As a young man, Saichi and his two older information available on our website (www.bijac.org). Take a trip down memory lane and let us know if we have overlooked brothers left Japan to seek work in Amer- anything. We welcome additions and corrections to our work-in-progress. ica. They initially pursued farm work in Hawaii. While the oldest brother stayed and put down roots in Hawaii, Saichi and

Bainbridge Island Japanese

the second oldest brother came to . Founded March 10, 1987

At some point his older brother died in American Community Seattle. After working various jobs, such as a dishwasher, houseboy and movie theater employee, Saichi acquired land on Bainbridge to start a strawberry farm. Saichi Takemoto and Yone Koyama Takemoto passport photos upon Non Eventually he wanted to settle down and return to the U.S., March 12, 1921

take on a wife. Through a matchmaker -

from his village in Japan, he met and Profit American residents were held, but decided 1948. During my tour of duty in Tokyo, I married Satsu Koyama, then brought her to stay at along with a few other met Nobuko and we were married in 1963. back to Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island families. After about After I retired from the Air Force in 1968, I

three years at Manzanar, we were finally Some time before 1920, Satsu died. relocated to my current home in Kent, permitted to travel outside the camp and Saichi consulted the same matchmaker to Washington. After retirement, I was hired

eventually leave. In April 1945, my father Club Community find him another wife. The matchmaker by Boeing as an instructor in flight train- decided it was time to return to Bainbridge arranged for him to marry Satsu’s young- ing. I worked for 24 years and retired in

Island because it was strawberry planting 1992. After our children finished high 1952 25, April Founded er sister, Yone, who was only 18 years season. Our family was the first family to old. In 1921 they returned to Bainbridge school Nobuko worked for United Airlines Japanese Island Bainbridge return to Bainbridge Island. We found our Island to begin a life of farming. From and retired in 1998. Our son Paul graduat- home completely ransacked, windows bro- Bainbridge Island Issei ca. 1964 that union Victor was born in 1926, I was ed from the and ken and anything of value gone. The fields born in 1928, Roy in 1930, Fred in 1932, is a homicide detective with the Seattle were overgrown. With the help of friends James in 1934, and Teruko, the only girl, Police Department. He and his girlfriend, and also people we did not know, we were in 1938. We lived on ten acres at the Kate, live in Seattle. Our daughter Susan provided with some essentials and help to Remember When? southwest corner of what is now High- graduated from Yale College and return the fields to farmable condition. My way 305 and NE Lovgreen Road. The Georgetown Law Center. After working brothers and I worked on weekends and in land was heavily forested, so we had to for twelve years as an attorney, she retired, Community Social Events the summer on the Moji farm run by Nick cut down many trees, which we did with- and she and her husband, Dave, are raising Sukiyaki Dinner—Commodore School out the help of modern equipment such as Bucsit for extra income. three children. Strawberry Shortcakes/Sundaes—Rotary Auctions & 4th of July chainsaws. We relied on dynamite to Saichi died on October 1972 at the age of Roy also enlisted in the U.S. Air Force blow up stumps, then used horses to pull Teriyaki Dinner (Mar 1990) —Commodore School 87. Yone died on January 2003 at the age after graduating from high school. He met up the roots. of 100. She was probably the last of the and wed Toshiko while stationed in Tokyo. Teriyaki Dinners (Mar 1997-Mar 2004)—Woodward MS original issei from the island to pass away. After Pearl Harbor was attacked on De- After more than 25 years of service, he Annual Matsuri (Sep 2002-Sep 2008)—Woodward MS cember 7, 1941 and President Roosevelt retired. Roy, along with his wife and two When Victor, the oldest sibling, returned Teriyaki Dinner, exhibits, flower arranging, sumi-e, judo issued Executive Order 9066, our family from Manzanar, he enrolled at the Univer- daughters, moved to Sun City, Arizona. was among the 227 other Bainbridge Is- sity of Washington. After he graduated in There Roy worked in civil service until he demonstrations, Kokon Taiko drummer, Odori dancing was diagnosed with cancer. He passed land families that were forcibly removed 1949 he worked in the medical service area Summer Picnic at Strawberry Hill Park (Aug 1990) from our homes and sent to Manzanar for 49 years and retired in 1998. Vic, his away in September, 1991 at the age of 61. internment camp located in California’s wife Lily. and three children, Vicki, Stan- Toshiko still lives in Sun City West. Summer Picnic at Battle Point Park (Jul 1997-present) Owens Valley at the foot of the Sierra ley and Jon. all live in the Seattle area. Kathy, their oldest daughter, lives in San Nevada. After about a year we had the Jose with her husband Richard and their Getting ready to serve at our Matsuri/Teriyaki Dinner choice of going to the Minidoka camp in After my graduation from high school I daughter. Patty, the other daughter, lives in SUMMER PICNIC 2017 March, 2003 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January of Riverside and has a son who has graduated Idaho where many Seattle area Japanese- SATURDAY, AUGUST 5th, BATTLE POINT PARK >> CONT. PAGE SEVEN >> CONT. PAGE FOUR Page 4 Page 5

65th Anniversary of BIJAC (continued from page 3) Pre-BIJAC 1890’s-1920’s Village of Yama, home to Japanese Blakely Mill workers Pre-BIJAC Or a l Hi s tory Proj e ct March 30, 1942 MEMORIAL BENEFIT EVENTS 2 00 6 -2 00 7 Ferry Kehloken carries Bainbridge Island Japanese 1995—, by David Guterson, In 2006-2007, an ambitious effort was undertaken to from their home event at Commodore

interview Bainbridge Island survivors of the WWII April 25, 1952 2006—Naomi’s Road, a Canadian Opera for the incarceration. The Oral History Project, which was Bainbridge Island Japanese Community Children of War, Vancouver Opera production produced by Stourwater Pictures of Bainbridge Is- Club land, resulted in a collection of first person narratives 2007—The Cats of Mirikitani, Film Premiere and Art Exhibition, Director Q&A and reception of the experience from Bainbridge Island to the con-

centration camps in Manzanar, CA and Minidoka, 1984 2015—Snow Falling on Cedars, a Bainbridge Per- ID. Clips by topic can be viewed on the bijac.org Visible Target forming Arts theater production website. Full DVDs are archived at the Bainbridge public television March 10, 1987 Island Historical Museum. The oral histories include: documentary Bainbridge Island 2016—An American Dream, Seattle Opera Japanese American Brooks Andrews Michi Noritake Community non-profit 2016/17—George Takei’s Allegiance: the Broadway Tomi Egashira Nobi Omoto September 1997 Musical on the Big Screen, hosted by Bainbridge Dedication of Earl Hanson Sada Omoto Haiku No Niwa Junkoh Harui Taketo Omoto October 2004 BI Public Library Garden COMMEMORATION CEREMONIES Memorial Gate built at Frank Kitamoto Eiko Shibayama 1988 Winslow Post Office Kodomo No Tami Ni March 30, 2002—60th Anniversary (granite marker) Sally Kitano Yuki Takahashi site Historical Photo Exhibit March 30, 2007—65th Anniversary (Pritchard Park) Lilly Kodama Vic Takemoto opens to the public Tats Kojima Iku Watanabe March 30, 2011—Names are on the Memorial Wall Hisa Matsudaira Matsue Watanabe October 2005 March 30, 2012—70th Anniversary (BIJAEMA) Kay Nakao Mary Woodward Voices of Past and Present March 30, 2017—75th Anniversary (BIJAEMA) Sam Nakao Isao Yamashita Nidoto Nai Yoni conference at IslandWood Jerry Nakata Yae Yoshihara July 30, 2011 Bainbridge Island Japanese MOCHI TSUKI American Exclusion Memorial Let It Not Happen Again opens to the public Dec 1996—cancelled due to winter storm Dec 1997—Island Center VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES AND PUBLICATIONS Dec 2002—Filipino-American Hall  Visible Target (1986), produced by Cris Anderson and John de Graaf Dec 2003—Jan present—IslandWood  After Silence (2003), produced by Foxglove Films, directed by Lois Shelton  The Red Pines (2003), produced by IslandWood, directed by Franklin Odo EDUCATION/PARTNERSHIPS  My Friends Behind Barbed Wire (2007), produced by Stourwater Pictures for OSPI  Civil Liberties in a Time of War (2007), produced by Stourwater Pictures for OSPI “Leaving Our Island,” the Sakai 6th Grade Program, 2004-present.  Japanese & Filipino Americans on Bainbridge Island (2007) produced by Stourwater Pictures

for OSPI “Only What We Can Carry”, Jon Garfunkel, annual educator delegation to Manzanar.  Fumiko Hayashida, the Woman Behind the Symbol (2009), produced by Stourwater Pictures

 Honor and Sacrifice: The Roy Matsumoto Story (2013), produced by Stourwater Pictures BISD Multicultural Advisory Council sponsors edu-  The Sakai Family (2015), Snow Productions cational programs and launched the Frank Kitamoto Legacy Award for Inclusion, Civil Rights, & Social  In Defense of Our Neighbors: The Walt and Milly Woodward Story (2008), book by Mary Justice. Woodward Page 6 was listening to what the people said and listening to Page 7 the music and all of the moments of Japanese Ameri- The Takemoto Family Story 75th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony can suffering on this island, it has sunk into my mind (continued from page 2) Family Stories and my heart, and for that I’m really thankful to you, From Past BIJAC Newsletters governor, and all of the people here. I am very proud from college. From my viewpoint of those who left Japan generations ago, and have contributed so much to the United States and the state Fred served a short tour also in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge he returned to Seattle Leaving Our Island – Frank Kitamoto of Washington, in spite of the hardships they faced… By: Clarence Moriwaki On behalf of the Japanese government, I thank you for to live and work. Fred is semi-retired. He works part-time and manages his rental properties. WINTER 2005 this ceremony of remembrance and reconciliation. I began the ceremony and welcomed all of our Speaker Rabbi Paul Moses Strasko continued the James, the youngest brother, graduated from the University of Washington and worked as a Strawberry Fields – Wayne Nakata Thank you.” guests at precisely 11:03 a.m., the exact moment theme, raising concerns about the world’s – and CPA with the government and for private firms. Later in his career he had a private practice 75 years ago when the ferry Kehloken arrived at our nation’s – current political atmosphere of intol- WINTER 2006 – IMMIGRANT STORIES the Eagledale Ferry Dock to begin this tragic erance. History and Community out of his home. James and his wife, Carolyn, lived in the Tacoma area until he passed away Zenhichi Harui chapter in American history, the forcible remov- in 2009 at the age of 74. Carolyn now lives in Redmond near her daughter Annette. Annette Torazo Nakao “As anti-Semitism over the last year around the Mary Woodward, daughter of Walt and Milly Wood- al and exile of the first of 120,000 Japanese and her husband Jason have two sons and live in Woodinville. Tadashi Sakuma world has risen, and in this past year, what we ward, publishers/editors of the Bainbridge Review, Americans during World War II. thought would have been unthinkable, we had who consistently opposed the unconstitutional actions Teruko (Terrie) Sua, the youngest child, was employed for 54 years by American Marine of our government toward Japanese Americans during WINTER 2007 On my wrist I wore a watch that belonged to politicians in this country talk about the Japanese Bank in Winslow, which later became Columbia Bank. When she was appointed Branch Leonard Hayashida, the first Bainbridge Island American Exclusion as a positive thing.” the Exclusion, began her remarks by turning around Edwin Takayasu Nishimura baby born in the Manzanar concentration camp from the podium and facing the assembled survivors Manager, she was the first woman to hold that position in the State of Washington. Tinei, Gerald Nakata to iconic Fumiko Nishinaka Hayashida. Before Echoing Tiffny Weighall’s cautionary words, gathered at the rear of the pavilion. “I want to wel- her husband of 40 years, died while they were living in Poulsbo in 2008. She retired in 2014 Taketo Omoto Strasko added, “Exclusion is the beginning of come you and thank you for the courage, the strength introducing each speaker and musical perfor- and is living in Kingston. The Koura Family mance, I glanced at Leonard’s watch and an- annihilation.” and the quiet dignity that you exhibit every day. I nounced the time, imagining what was happen- learn so much from you. Your example is stellar. Our deep appreciation to Bill Takemoto (with the help of his daughter) for contributing this The Nishimori Family The Amabile Choir sang the song “This We ing at that very moment to the 227 Bainbridge Thank you.” very special history of the Takemoto Family of Bainbridge Island. Island Japanese Americans on that fateful morn- Know,” based on a famous speech given by WINTER 2008 ing. I also wore the one suit that my father— Suquamish Tribal Chief Sealth, namesake of the Woodward acknowledged the impact of her parents’ Paul Tsutomu Ohtaki City of Seattle. work, but said her parents humbly thought they were whose relatives were incarcerated in the Junkoh Harui Minidoka concentration camp—owned when I just doing the job of good journalism. “They had a Honor and Respect was born. newspaper, and they had an obligation.” BIJAC PROGRAMS AND VISITATION Spring 2009 “The voice of Fumiko Hayashida is alive and well, Bainbridge Island Mayor Val Tollefson, former board By: Katy Curtis and Mary Woodward Shigeko Nishinaka Kitamoto Reverence and Inspiration and her voice is pretty spectacular,” Governor Jay member of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American The Okazaki Family Inslee said as he passionately described his suc- Since the creation of the Exclusion Memorial Exclusion Memorial Association – who played the cessful recent efforts to oppose presidential execu- Working in partnership with the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum (BIHM) and The Amatatsu Family itself may not have happened without the support invaluable role for the association by creating its by- tive orders targeting Muslims and other immi- and encouragement of the North Kitsap/ laws and other legal requirements – authored a procla- Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association grants. WINTER 2009 Bainbridge Island Interfaith Council nearly 20 mation that unanimously passed the Bainbridge Island (BIJAEMA), members of BIJAC, especially our local treasures like Kay Nakao, years ago, our first speaker was the current presi- City Council proclaiming March 30, 2017 as “Nidoto It’s Seaweed Weather – Yoshiaki Amatatsu As our former congressman, Jay Inslee spent years dent of the council, Tiffny Weighall. Nai Yoni – Let It Not Happen Again Day” for the City Lilly Kodama, Frances Ikegami, and Hisa Matsudaira, were busy with interviews, working to successfully establish the Bainbridge of Bainbridge Island. FALL 2010 Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial as Weighall spoke with passionate purpose, and she tours, and panel discussions to share their stories. From January through May of this a National Historic Site, and he said during that The Hayashida Family focused on a key element that was likely on the Kay Sakai Nakao was 22 years old when she and her lengthy process Fumiko Hayashida’s voice carried year, BIJAC has helped conduct tours and educational programs for 39 groups— The Katayama Family minds of everyone present: “Fear is a constant. family were forcibly removed from Bainbridge Island. the day. Since the dawn of time a survival instinct. But She recalled the chaos for her family leading up to sometimes multiple classes from a school visiting over several days. The Takeo Sakuma Family throughout time its branding has evolved…In March 30, 1942. “You need to understand something about the recent human history we have institutionalized Local School Programs SUMMER 2011 members of Congress – they never listen,” Inslee fear and followed leaders in response to it. Even “We had so little time to get everything all squared The Yukawa Family said as the crowd erupted with laughter. Since 2004, Bainbridge public and private school programs have continued to grow in our own nation of which we love and hold away, and with all of the suspicion and wanting to dear, which was founded in liberty, fear has led prove we were all loyal Americans, my dad said to and help children of all ages learn more about BIJAC history before, during, and SPECIAL EDITION 2011 “But when Fumiko Hayashida came to Congress, us to the edge of evil.” destroy anything that looked Japanese...I feel very Manzanar 69 Years Later by Ken Mochizuki and when she spoke, there were hundreds of peo- after the WWII exclusion. badly. All of our prized family heirlooms were all In her remarks, Weighall posed a question that ple packed into this room...you could have heard a destroyed and we can’t pass them on.” WINTER 2011 many Japanese American parents may have pin drop. As never before, the members of the US raised during World War II: “How do you teach Congress listened with laser beams. That voice The Suyematsu Family Kay married her husband, Sam Nakao, while in children to love a nation that sent you away?” was heard, that voice was enacted, and we stand… Minidoka, and after three and a half years, they were WINTER 2012 on part of the National Park System to say we will finally set free. Because for many thousands of years prior to never let fear overcome us, we will never succumb The Daikichi Omoto Family any Asian or European pioneers, Bainbridge to fear again, we will always stand up for the rights The Yonemitsu Family “We were lucky here on Bainbridge Island. More than Island was a gathering place and seasonal home of everyone who lives in this blessed land.” half of us did come back, thanks in large part to for the Suquamish Tribe, Leonard Forsman, Mary’s parents, Walt and Milly Woodward, who SUMMER 2013 president of the tribal council, was invited to Inslee proclaimed March 30, 2017 as “Nidoto Nai always reminded everyone that we were their friends The Moritani Family speak. Forsman noted that the unconstitutionality Yoni – Let It Not Happen Again Day” for the state and neighbors. I’m sad that the majority of people in of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Execu- of Washington, and after he completed his re- FALL/WINTER 2014 the concentration camps were not welcome to return tive Order 9066 was nothing new to the native marks, Inslee introduced the Honorable Kenichiro to where they came from...The war was hard for eve- Frank Yoshikazu Kitamoto peoples of America. “We are familiar as tribes Sasae, Ambassador to the United States. ryone, but I don’t want what happened to us to happen The Suyematsu Family about federal policy. It was federal policy that to anyone else, ever again.” was implemented here, and we understand the Veering from his prepared speech, the ambassador impact of federal policy upon our lives,“ he remarked, “While we were working on this WINTER 2012 All 276 names of the Bainbridge Island Japanese remarked. trip...the governor suggested to me to come here, The Daikichi Omoto Family Americans on the Memorial Wall were read by Ken and I was told that this is a commemoration to Matsudaira and Masako Guidry, followed by Emily The Yonemitsu Family Forsman thanked Governor Jay Inslee for re- Japanese Americans.” Groff reprising her role from the 60th Anniversary specting and working with the tribe on policies Ceremony, singing “Don’t Fence Me In.” The two- SUMMER 2013 and memoranda that improved relationships “I thought I knew (about) Japanese Americans. hour ceremony closed with the Amabile Choir leading The Moritani Family between the state and the sovereign tribe, and he I’ve visited some places on the west coast and recognized and thanked all U.S. veterans present the entire audience singing “America the Beautiful.” . other places, but I realized after being here why SUMMER 2017 – and those no longer with us – for their service the governor suggested for me to come here with >> REQUEST A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF CLARENCE The Takemoto Family and sacrifice to our nation. him and share this moment with all of you. As I MORIWAKI’S ARTICLE VIA EMAIL: [email protected] >> LEARN MORE AT bijac.org/index.php?p=EDUCATION_LessonPlan