Chuzaburo Ito
Here is Chuzaburo Ito’s brief biography per some sources:
1871 Born on November 15 in the Okiura village, Oshima District in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
1893 Arrived in Seattle in December and started a barbershop business and launched bus and laundry services as side businesses.
1896 Opened a Japanese grocery store.
1900 Opened an artwork shop and a Western food restaurant as well as a wholesale store selling Japanese groceries.
1900 In November, started operating the Fuji keian agency (to help people find jobs or employ servants) and helped the Japanese in the U.S. with business management.
1903 The Yamaguchi kenjin-kai was established; he was elected chairperson.
1907 The Barbershop Union was founded; he was elected the union president.
1918 Became chairperson of the Committee for Maintaining the Seattle Japanese School.
1921 Became chairperson of Hokubei Nihonjin-kai.
1923 Became chairperson of the Communication Committee of the Japanese in Northwestern America.
1928 Elected chairperson of Hokubei Nihonjin-kai for the second time.
1932 Elected chairperson of the Communication Committee of the Japanese in Northwestern America for the second time.
1934 Became chairperson of the Business Meeting Committee of the Japanese in North America.
As I wrote in Chapter 6 of this series, around 1918, Chuzaburo Ito tried to work in cooperation with Caucasian peers in his barbershop business. He enacted the cooperation himself by inviting the executive members of the Caucasian Union to the New Year’s party of the Barbershop Union and greeted them in English. He also protested strongly against the Caucasian Union for the outrageous increase in the haircut price on the Caucasian side, but in order to work in cooperation with the Caucasian community he made a difficult choice of raising the price in Japanese businesses too.
By reading this article, we can see that Ito was a competent negotiator who would not automatically accept the request from the Caucasian side but who was able to state his opinion to the Caucasian Union as a representative of the Japanese.
“One Person a Day (21) Chuzaburo Ito” (January 30, 1919 issue)1
North American Times, January 30, 1919He is the leader of the Japanese Barbershop Union and chairperson of the Hokubei Nikkai. He is from Yamaguchi Prefecture and one of the oldest members of the Japanese community in Seattle. It has been reported that he once opened a Japanese grocery store here around 1896. Since the establishment of the Barbershop Union, he has been working diligently as the leader and has been recommended every year. While he puts his effort into public matters too, we must note that he has nearly 200 barbers who have his back. These people make him who he is and are undoubtedly his greatest achievement among other businesses he has run.
Ito introduced the barbershop business to those from Yamaguchi Prefecture and many other Japanese. My grandfather Yoemon also got the chance to start a barbershop business from Ito and was able to make it a success.
President of The North American Times at the time Sumikiyo Arima commented on the election of the nihonjin-kai in the article titled “Ougaku Essay” as follows.
“Ougaku Essay” (February 24, 1920 issue)
As one group of Yamaguchi kenjin (those from Yamaguchi Prefecture) revealed their plan to work as one and recommend those from their home prefecture for board member positions at the Hokubei Nihonjin-kai, mild-mannered Chuzaburo Ito told them, “I can’t let you do that. If those from Yamaguchi Prefecture – ones that account for the majority of the Japanese in Seattle – got together and elected board members, it would result in quite harmful effects. I would very much like to ask you not to do that.” This then kept the election in the same state. We can say that Ito sincerely hoped for well-being and growth of the general peers.
While the election of the Nihonjin-kai gradually turned into a battle for honors in positions as time passed, it is clear that Ito was sincerely thinking of doing the work necessary for the Japanese living in Seattle and not about his own reputation.
“Reader’s Responses to Our Questions” (January 1, 1938 issue)
The North American Times asked notable people in Seattle at the time to answer the following two questions:
1) What do you want to achieve this year?
2) Given the incident, how should the Japanese in the U.S. try to streamline their day-to-day life?Chuzaburo Ito
1) First of all, establishing financial institutions, ones that would help encourage saving for the future of nisei is of utmost urgency. I definitely believe that we need to make that happen this year. Second, I’d like to build a public hall. Building a hall has been a pending matter among the Japanese residents over ten years. Upon the settlement of the project, we should strive to make it a reality. I’d like to make it a place to regulate sports facilities, unify judo and kendo and as a strongly bonded group to encourage nisei young men to train their bodies and minds.
2) Taking this major project as an opportunity, we need to seriously streamline our life. Even for ceremonial occasions, we should cut extra expenses, avoid anything unproductive and focus on the ceremonies themselves. No decorations on the exterior and refrain from being flashy. Gift exchanges should be no more than expressing their gratitude and applying these matters to both groups and individuals will be the first step to streamlining our life.”
“Ito and Nakagawa Both Receive Certificate of Commendation from Imperial Educational Committee” (October 13 and November 29 issues)
Chairperson of the Committee for Maintaining the Seattle Japanese School, Ito Chuzaburo, the principal of the Japanese School Yoriaki Nakagawa and the head of Japanese Language School in Tacoma Masato Nagasaki received the certificate of commendation from the Imperial Educational Committee. On the 17th, a small banquet was held at the Consul’s residence to celebrate them . . . . On November 28, a celebration party was hosted by the board members of the Committee for Maintaining the Seattle Japanese School and the members of the academic and finance department.
“Chuzaburo Ito Receives Certificate of Commendation from Japan Industrial Association” (January 12, 1940 issue)
North American Times, January 12, 1940Since his arrival in this country, Mr. Chuzaburo Ito has devoted himself to giving guidance and support to his fellow Japanese for many years and to recognize his contribution to the development of our country’s future endeavors, the president of the Japan Industrial Association Fushinominomiya Hiroyasuou-denka has awarded him with the certificate of commendation. The commendation ceremony was held yesterday at the consulate. Out of 39 award recipients this year, ten of them live overseas and among the Japanese residing in the U.S., Mr. Ito was the only one chosen, which is a notable honor.
On this commendation that Chuzaburo Ito received, Sumiyoshi Arima made a comment in his column “Hokubei Shunjyu” as follows.
“Hokubei Shunjyu” by Ichiro Hanazono (January 15, 1940 issue)
The elderly Chuzaburo Ito has received the commendation as a contributor to the overseas development by the Japan Industrial Association. I believe we can think of this not as the elderly Ito’s individual honor but the honor of our fellow Japanese in Seattle. This is because it can be considered a recognition of the struggle and hard work that our fellow Japanese have experienced and given for all these years . . . .
While our community has not expressed much appreciation for the dedicated work of the elderly Ito, the fact that he was awarded the commendation for his achievement from Japan shows how unaware we have been of our own community, doesn’t it? It’s not how things are supposed to be. It might not be entirely accurate to say that the elderly Ito had outstanding or superior experience that helped him guide the Japanese community. However, no one would deny that for many years he has served the community as the unsung hero . . . .
Of course, I imagine that the elderly Ito is definitely not thinking how he would like to be appreciated or recognized by his community. Still, as a community I believe we should give this appropriate thought. In what ways can we do it? I believe that the way to do it is to make sure that the elderly Ito stays active in the community and not let him live as someone who has retired from all his work. This is likely what the elderly Ito wishes and would complete his last years. If his health does not allow it, we should back down, but his abilities – both physical and mental – do not seem at all insufficient to be active at the forefront . . . . This will perhaps be more meaningful than him receiving the commendation.
In the January 17 and 18, 1940 issues, articles were published with information on the celebration for the elderly Ito’s commendation planned by related organizations. But, in the January 24 issue another article was published reporting that the gathering would be held on the 26th and would be hosted by Nissho and all the related organizations – Japanese Language School, Yamaguchi kenjin-kai, the Buddhist Federation, the Seattle (US) branch of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the Laundry Industry Union, and the Barbershop Union.
By looking at the series of these articles, we can see that Chuzaburo Ito was highly trusted and popular among people in many industries.
“Celebration Gathering for Chuzaburo Ito’s Commendation” (January 27, 1940 issue)
North American Times, January 27, 1940To honor Chuzaburo Ito who has recently been awarded with the commendation from the Japan Industry Association, a celebratory gathering was held last night starting at 7 pm at Maneki-tei. It was hosted by voluntary members from Nissho. It was a grand celebration with 116 or 117 people in attendance.
First, chairperson of Yamaguchi kenjin-kai Kaizo Chikamura delivered an opening remark as an emcee and chairperson of Nissho Genji Mihara gave a congratulatory address noting that Ito’s commendation is not just his honor as an individual but an honor of the Japanese residents in the northwestern part of America. Chairperson of Renraku Nikkai Eihan Okiyama talked about how Ito has lived all these years dedicating his life to the community and expressed his congratulations. Imperial Consul Yuki Sato praised Ito’s noble character. After everyone made a toast, Ito gave his response speech overflowing with emotions . There were numerous entertainment performances after the dinner. The gathering ended with much joy for all attendees.
Mr. Chuzaburo Ito and Mr. Heiji Okuda passed away on April 9, 1949 and on December 20, 1955, respectively. The North American Post reported their passings as “Treasure of the Japanese in the US as Chuzaburo Ito Passes Away” and “Elderly Giant Okuda Finally At Rest .” Both were the great pioneers of the Seattle nikkei community throughout the prewar and postwar times.
In the next part I would like to write about the nikkei residents in Seattle who strived to build Japan-US friendship.
Note:
1. All article excerpts are from The North American Times unless noted otherwise.
References:
Jyushiro Kato, Zaibei Doho Hatten-shi (History of Development of Japanese in the United States), Hakubun-sha, 1908.
Kojiro Takeuchi, Beikoku Seihokubu Nihon Imin-shi (History of Japanese Immigrants in the Northwestern United States), Taihoku Nippo-sha, 1929.
Kazuo Ito, Hokubei Hyakunen Zakura (100-Year Cherry Blossoms in North America), Nichibou Shuppan, 1969.
*The English version of this series is a collaboration between Discover Nikkei and The North American Post, Seattle’s bilingual community newspaper. This article was originally publishd in Japanese on February 27, 2023 in The North American Post.
© 2023 Ikuo Shinmasu
