Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/749/

Her interests in Japanese culture (Spanish)

(Spanish) I am Argentine because I was born here. But it is true that I have a significant affinity for Japanese culture and, in part, I feel Japanese. That is, in contrast with my sister, who, for example, has no interest in Japanese culture, nor does she study the Japanese language, or have any interest in visiting Japan. And nor has she ever planned to visit Japan. I believe that this tendency [toward Japanese culture] is much stronger in me. Japanese culture interests me so much. I want to understand my Japanese grandfather; [in my efforts] to try to understand [my grandfather], it is necessary for me to study Japanese culture, especially because I live in Argentina immersed in an absolutely western culture. I watch Japanese movies or read Japanese novels, although in translation. I study Japanese, and I realize that the vision of the Asian world is absolutely distinct. I cannot deny that I have a very strong attraction to this other vision of the world.


culture families identity

Date: July 12, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Paula Hoyos Hattori is a sansei born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a student of letters and dance. Her father is a descendant of Argentine Indians, while her mother is a Nisei, a daughter of Japanese parents. Paula’s particular profile (half Argentine, half Japanese) provides a distinctive vision because of the fusion of these two cultures. (July 12, 2006)

Schneider,Jean Hamako
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Masao-san (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Schneider,Jean Hamako
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Conflicted about immigrating to America (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Takei,George
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Takei,George

George's Mother & Brad

(b. 1937) Actor, Activist

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Wakayama,Tamio
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Wakayama,Tamio

Defining "Nikkei"

(1941-2018) Japanese Canadian photojournalist and activist

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Ito,Willie
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Ito,Willie

Parents

(b. 1934) Award-winning Disney animation artist who was incarcerated at Topaz during WWII

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Ohtomo,Hachiro
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Ohtomo,Hachiro

My daughter couldn’t fit in Japan, so I decided to go back to America (Japanese)

(b. 1936) Shin-issei welding business owner

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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

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Toyoshima,Toshiaki
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Toyoshima,Toshiaki

Difficulty of spreading authentic sushi (Japanese)

(b. 1949) Sushi chef. Owner of Sushi Gen restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

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Toyoshima,Toshiaki
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Toyoshima,Toshiaki

Teaching how to eat sushi (Japanese)

(b. 1949) Sushi chef. Owner of Sushi Gen restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

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Fujioka,Robert T.
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Growing up Japanese in Hawaii

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Bashi,Kishi
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Bashi,Kishi

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Bashi,Kishi
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Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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