Susan Kiyo Ito

Susan Kiyo Ito is my second, adoptive name. My original birth name was Kobi Ikuta. When my parents named me, they wanted me to have a common American name. Susan was one of the most popular names of 1959 and throughout school, I was always on of many Susans. I was given the middle name Kiyo, for my father's sister Kiyo who had died as a college student before I was born. She went to college & died of kidney disease. My father's family did not have enough money to travel to bury her or have a funeral. So she is buried on rthe campus of Ohio Weslyan University. My brother in law recently found it and took a photo. Kyoko Ito it says. The aunt whose name I have but never knew.
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Photo taken and name story provided on September 21, 2014 at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as a part of Discover Nikkei’s workshop warm-up excercise in conjunction with the Nikkei Names: Taro, John, Juan, João? stories project.

Toshiro (Toshiro Omoto)

The origin of my name mostly involves my paternal grandfather. Like many Japanese & Japanese Americans, I inherited my name. The first character (xxx) Toshi is one I have in common with him. I also have an aunto with that character, it spans 3 generations of my family. Will it see a fourth?
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Toshiro Omoto

Photo taken and name story provided on September 21, 2014 at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as a part of Discover Nikkei’s workshop warm-up excercise in conjunction with the Nikkei Names: Taro, John, Juan, João? stories project.

Ben Yoneo Miyaji

After The Karate Kid movie came out, I was called Mr. Miyagi a lot. Even though Miyaji and Miyagi are spelled different and pronounced differently. But, I get Wax On - Wax Off even more. In my various capacities, I wear name tags and when people see my name, a few will bow and say Mr. Miyagi or saw Wax On - Wax Off. I do marriages fro the county of Santa Clara and the other day, one groom said, "I'm getting married by Wax On - Wax Off". I have adopted Wax On - Wax Off as my twitter handle.
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Photo taken and name story provided on September 21, 2014 at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as a part of Discover Nikkei’s workshop warm-up excercise in conjunction with the Nikkei Names: Taro, John, Juan, João? stories project.

Agnes Chizuko Idemoto

Mom & Dad loved music and named me Agnes after their favorite Japanese singer. My middle name Chizuko was shortened during childhood by my grandmother as "Chichan", a term of endearment by family and close friends.

Since high school, Agnes became "Aggie" and stuck for life.
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Photo taken and name story provided on September 21, 2014 at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as a part of Discover Nikkei’s workshop warm-up excercise in conjunction with the Nikkei Names: Taro, John, Juan, João? stories project.