A Tale from the Midori Kai Boutique

issue
JAMSJ NEWS
Fall
2009
A Quarterly Newsletter of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose
Holiday Shopping at the JAMsj Winter Boutique
by Reiko Itamura
The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) invites you to
attend its annual Winter Boutique on Saturday, November 14, 2009,
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Gym, 640 North Fifth St, San Jose
Japantown. Early entry for members-only, 9:00-10:00 am; general
public, 10:00 am—4:00 pm. This will be the perfect way to kick start
your holiday shopping. Bring along a friend to enjoy a fun-filled day of
“shop till you drop.” When hunger pangs set in, one can refuel at the
food booth. Bento lunches, egg rolls, ohagi and other delicious snacks
will be available.
With this being JAMsj’s main fund-raiser for the year, all proceeds
will benefit the museum to further its mission for the preservation of
Japanese American art, history and culture with a focus on the greater
Bay Area.
The featured author this year is John Hamamura, who will be signing his debut novel, The Color of the Sea, from 11:00 am to1:00 pm.
JAMsj welcomes the return of past artisans, plus a few new ones.
Showcased items include Japanese-style collages, clothing and accessories, hand-crafted jewelry, washi crafts, stationery, as well as other
specialty gifts.
Donation drawings will be held during the day. In addition, a silent
auction will feature antiques, crafts donated by the artisans and gift
baskets. For additional information, please call the museum office
12:00 pm -4:00 pm on M, T, Th, F, (408) 294-3138, or visit our website:
http://www.jamsj.org/events/2009/WinterBoutique/
jamsj_winter_boutique.htm
Photos
From
2008
Winter
Boutique
535 North Fifth Street ● San Jose CA 95112 ● tel 408.294.3138 ● fax 408.294.1657 ● mail@jamsj.org ● www.jamsj.org
Michiko
Grosvenor
and
Ann Muto
at the
JAMsj table
President’s Message
Dear JAMsj Friends,
Following an election of officers in October, JAMsj transitioned into new leadership. It was with honor that I
accepted the JAMsj presidency during this year of the new museum opening. The lineup for the Executive
Board includes Joe Yasutake, Vice President; Steve Fugita, Secretary; Jeff Kuwano, Fund Development (a new
position). Byron Ishiwata continues his duties as Finance Director.
Hats off to former president Jeff Kuwano for serving at the helm during the past two years: a very challenging
time as construction began, was temporarily halted and then recently resumed. Jeff managed to steer the ship steadily with
fund development leadership, as well as technological expertise. He accomplished all of this on top of his more-than-fulltime management position at Yahoo.
We thank the many non board volunteers providing invaluable leadership: June Honma, Volunteer Coordinator; Emily
Ando, Pat Maruyama and Mimi Suga, Spirit of Japantown Arts & Crafts; Mimi Suga, Outreach Coordinator; and Joyce Yamamoto, Winter Boutique.
Given the economic times, the capitol expansion timeline stretched beyond the anticipated completion date. Thanks to
the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, we were able to meet the challenges and celebrated successes along the way.
Building occupancy and a formal opening are anticipated in early 2010. Thank you for your patience as we prepare for the
opening.
During the interim, we have been occupying a temporary office at the Issei Memorial Building (IMB). Proximity has nurtured an even greater appreciation for our IMB friends: Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, Japanese American Citizens
League and San Jose Taiko. All three organizations have provided unconditional support.
We continue to serve the community through Japantown Walking Tours, now enhanced with the publication of a Walking Tour Guide. The following committee members contributed to the development of the brochure: Warren Hayashi, PJ
Hirabayashi, Aggie Idemoto, Reiko Itamura, Leslie Masunaga, May Matsutake, Joyce Oyama, Ralph Pearce, Peter Race, Jimi
Yamaichi, Joe Yasutake, and Connie Young Yu. Special thanks to Tamiko Rast, Rasteroids Designs, for donating her graphic
design services.
The sustained community support was evident throughout our journey to success. Collectively, we have come a long
way as a team. A heart-felt thank you to all!
Sincerely,
Aggie Idemoto, Ed.D.
President
Membership Happenings
Longtime JAMsj Volunteer Injured
by Terry Terakawa
Joyce Yamamoto and I have developed new membership cards. We will have them printed and mailed
to you by the end of October.
We have been busy with our annual Winter Boutique. We could use more volunteer help, semicomputer literate; Japanese language proficiency
would be a plus. If you are interested, please call me
(Terry) at the museum (408-294-3138) on Tuesday
from 12:00-6:00 pm or on my cell phone (408-6467500). Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!
JAMsj News 2
In September 2009, while riding his bike, one of our volunteers, Ernie Hiratsuka, fell and hit his head on a curb. Unfortunately, he suffered a head injury and had to have surgery.
He is currently recuperating at a skilled nursing facility. His
hearing and coherency were affected. Doctors expect that
Ernie will have to remain in a nursing home for an extended
period. He was a longtime docent with 442nd experience who
helped JAMsj in numerous ways.
Ernie would appreciate cards or visits at:
San Tomas Convalescent Hospital
3580 Payne Avenue, San Jose, CA 95117
Photo of New Museum under Construction, mid September 2009
VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED:
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
✿
Docent for Museum Exhibits and Japantown Walking Tours
Office manager
Museum store manager
Business Department
- Accounts Payable/Receivable
- Budgeting/Finance
Administration
- Data Processing/Transcribing
- Library Maintenance
- Receptionist
Facility and Grounds Maintenance
- Construction Support
- Gardening Maintenance Support
Newsletter Mailings
IT Services
Grant Writing
Exhibit and Event Preparation
Videography
And more!!!
Museum Landscaping Project Well Underway
By Joe Yasutake
Thanks to all those who so generously responded to our
Landscaping Wish List in the last newsletter. Donation pledges
have been made for wisteria, Fuji apple trees, bamboo trees,
cherry trees and other plants.
Many individuals and community organizations have offered
help to install plants once the construction phase is completed.
Recently, a grant proposal was submitted to the San Jose Beautification program for large amounts of ground cover (creeping
thymus) which, along with cherry trees and other plants, will
provide foliage for the entire front of the museum. We are on
our way.
There is still much more needed to complete the project.
More plants are still needed. Although the timeline remains
somewhat uncertain, planting will likely take place in December
or early January. If you or your organization would like to participate in this project, either through cash donations for plants,
actual plants, or by volunteering labor, please call the museum
at (408) 294-3138 or Joe Yasutake at (408) 923-2883.
JAMsj News 3
Okaeri: Welcome home to Nihonmachi
by Will Kaku
On August 22nd, JAMsj curator Jimi Yamaichi presented the first JAMsj Curator’s Tour and Luncheon to a capacity audience.
The theme for the tour was “Old Japantown” and the event provided an entertaining and educational overview that explored the
region's transition from a "bachelor society," when boarding houses, pool halls and bathhouses catered to the predominantly male
migrant farm workers, to the formation of permanent and vibrant communities.
A highlight of the event was the opportunity to hear the recollections from Japantown (Nihonmachi) residents and siblings,
May Shimoguchi, Moffet Ishikawa and Yuneko Matsushita. Their older brother the late Dr. Tokio Ishikawa, whose home was eventually remodeled to be the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.
During their youth, Japantown was a focal point for the nearby farming communities.
Yuneko remembered how Japantown was affected by the influx of farm workers. “There were workers that came from other
places and when the job was finished, they had to live some place. People would rent their rooms to them and these people were
associated with a different address. Mr. Shimizu was referred to as ‘2000 and ½’ or ‘2000 and ¼’ because he lived upstairs.”
Japanese from the local areas would come to Japantown for entertainment like sumo wrestling, baseball, and movies. May
recalled watching movies at Okida Hall, “We went in through the back door and we used to sit on the floor behind the movie
screen and watch for free.We watched the movie backwards. We read everything (the titles) backwards.”
Moffet fondly remembered the benshi, Japanese performers who provided narration for the silent films. “They would imitate
a women’s voice, a man’s voice, a child’s voice. When they had a sad scene, they would play sad music on a record player while the
benshi cried.”
During their early years in Nihonmachi, few people had bathtubs in their homes and most residents had to use the public
bathhouses. “There was a wall (between the boy’s side and the girl’s side) that was open at the top,” Yuneko recalled. She became
annoyed when “the boys would jump up and down, trying to look on the other side and they would yell, ‘Hey, hey, Yuneko!’”
Although the nearby Chinese population in Heinlenville began to dwindle in the 1920’s, they remembered a tense episode of
gangland warfare. “There used to be a machine gun on top of the Kogura building,” Moffet said. “There were Chinese Tong Wars in
those days. A bullet came through our window on Jackson Street.”
The discussion finally led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans and World War II, the defining moment for the Japanese
American community. Moffet was drafted soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the Military Intelligence Service. Before he was sent overseas, Moffet found himself waiting aboard a troop ship at Angel Island when he was given a twelvehour pass. Moffet thought that he could take a trip to San Jose. “I was shocked. Nobody was here. All the windows were boarded
up. I walked to the Ken Ying Lo restaurant where I had lunch. It was sad. There was nobody to talk to so I went back.”
After the war, Moffet finally returned home to his Nihonmachi. “I was still in uniform and I took a taxi to 6 th and Jackson and I
saw an old lady coming towards me. It was my mother. She was the first person that I saw. I stepped in front of her and I said, ‘Hi,
Mama.’ She looked at me, and she had the look of ’Who the heck is this guy?’ And then she recognized me and said,
‘Okaeri’ (welcome home). I’ll never forget that.” Moffet laughed and said, “I tell that to my kids and they say, ‘That only happens in
the movies’. ”
Although San Jose’s Japantown has changed in many ways, with the neighboring farming communities replaced by bustling
Silicon Valley, for many of the former residents, visiting Nihonmachi will always be like returning home.
May
Shimoguchi
Moffet
Ishikawa
Photos by Andy Frazer
JAMsj News 4
Yuneko
Matsushita
Introduction of New Youth Group Officers by Isabelle Tran
Isabelle Tran
President
Jenny Ha
Vice President
Stephen Louie
Director of
Administration
Simon Herrera
Director of
Marketing
Name: Isabelle Tran
Current School: Willow Glen High School
Year: Senior
Position: President
Why did you join the Japanese American Museum?
I chose to join the Japanese American Museum in hopes of understanding the rich history of Japanese Americans. I want to expand my knowledge and become more open minded to new cultures and experiences. I am
also deeply interested in Japan itself and the japanese traditions.
How do you plan on helping the museum and/or the youth group in the future?
I plan on aiding the museum gaining new members and publicizing the name. I want the Japanese American
Museum to be more well-known in the community and have a successful grand opening once the museum is
complete. At the same time, I want to maintain the values and the goals of the Japanese American Museum so
that the japanese culture may continue to flourish.
Name: Jenny Ha
Current School: Evergreen Valley High School
Year: Junior
Position: Vice President
Why did you join the Japanese American Museum?
My interests revolve around serving my community, getting involved with diverse groups of people, and attempting to improve aspects for future generations. I am fascinated by Japanese people, exquisite designs and
creations as well as food. When I found out about JAMsj, I had no doubt that this was the place where I would
like to stay for a long period of time. It definitely fits my personality as well as interests, and also provides
depth to my understanding of the Japanese culture.
How do you plan on helping the museum and/or the youth group in the future?
Since I will be involved with JAMsj for quite some time, I would like to try my best to publicize the JAMsj
events, increase membership, and keep JAMsj on its toes and beyond! Also, I believe that JAMsj helped me find
my strengths because every event that we worked with involved a variety of challenges. I've learned countless
new materials in only a matter of months. Also, I'm pleased to be able to work with such outstanding people!
Furthermore, I would like to make JAMsj a place where anything can happen if you really put your mind to it!
Name: Stephen Louie
Current School: Saratoga High School
Year: Junior
Position: Director of Administrations
Why did you join the Japanese American Museum?
The reason I joined is because I enjoy studying history, especially Asian history.
How do you plan on helping the museum and/or the youth group in the future?
I hope to be able to help contribute towards the reopening of the museum and its new exhibits in the future.
Name: Simon Herrera
Current School: Willow Glen High School
Year: Senior
Position: Director of Marketing
Why did you join the Japanese American Museum?
I joined the Japanese American Museum because I thought it would be a great experience to expand my knowledge of the diverse cultures that exist in America.
How do you plan on helping the museum and/or the youth group in the future?
I plan to help the Japanese American Museum in any possible way I can. Being the director of marketing, I will
help people know more about how the museum works and its main goal of preserving the Japanese culture
alive.
JAMsj News 5
JAMsj Spreads Spirit at J-Town Fest by Mimi Suga
The Spirit of Japantown Festival on September 26 featured the active participation of JAMsj. Despite the sweltering heat,
more than 30 volunteers pitched in to help in the JAMsj-sponsored arts and crafts section, as well as in the museum’s information
and store booths.
Machiko Shiozaki, owner of Kimura Gallery, located in Palo Alto, California, donated two Boys’ Day banners which were raffled off to two lucky winners. The proceeds of the raffle benefitted JAMsj. Her booth featured an exhibit of shibori art, as well as a
hands-on opportunity for visitors to make their own Spirit of Japantown woodblock prints.
We were also fortunate to have Yukiko Tanaka demonstrate Japanese calligraphy. Using this new skill, participants later wrote
on handmade bookmarks. The bookmarks were crafted by JAMsj volunteer May Matsuzaki and her crew of volunteers.
Jeff Kuwano noted, "It is great to see people signing up as new JAMsj members and taking advantage of the new membership
benefits. We have an incredibly dedicated board and volunteer team. Both work hard to ensure that we use our growing membership base and strong community support to advance our mission, provide more services to the public and add more value for our
members."
Our perennial fan, Jack Matsuoka, volunteered to draw cartoon sketches for visitors who became new members on the day of
the festival.
Many thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who helped at this event to “spread the spirit”.
Photos by Will Kaku
A Tale from the Midori Kai Boutique by Kiyomi Yamamoto
The Midori Kai Boutique fell on one the most serious days of the year: my mom’s birthday. But being the adept JAMsj volunteer that I am (and needing more time to buy a last-minute gift), I went to Midori Kai to happily hustle new museum memberships
and renewals. That particular day, JAMsj was running a “special.” Those that could defeat the “Daruma Challenge” would win a
“free” JAMsj membership or renewal. Here’s the challenge:
Stack four round wooden segments (with the Daruma-looking head on top). Use the small accompanying mallet to knock the
bottom segment out from underneath the stack without tipping over the remaining segments in the stack. It’s not easy. The few
that dared to take the challenge were nervous as I tackily took close-up shots of their unsuccessful attempts. I had a good time.
But later that evening, when my mom was about to blow out the candles on her cake, an unsettling feeling came over mewhere was my camera? Luckily, catch the wishing moment. As my mom made her usual unsuccessful wish (to have two nice
daughters) my sister’s camera was on hand to catch the moment. After dessert, I searched my backpack as I distinctly remember
having it in my hand as I was gathering my things from the Boutique. I hate losing things! I replayed the packing moment over in
my head while calls were made and emails sent to other JAMsj volunteers.
LOST:
SONY Sub-par camera.
IF FOUND, PLEASE RETURN TO: Irresponsible Kiyomi who doesn’t really deserve to have it in the first place.
Within a matter of minutes of sending my email, I got several responses from the Midori Kai sisters, offering to check with
other volunteers for the camera, offering to check the Lost and Found, and finally, after much searching, I received emails of condolences. Weeks passed and I had given up hope of ever recovering my little Sony. But then, it did show up. It was found in the
trunk of the car that had already been searched numerous times. After all the work on everyone else’s part, the darn thing turned
up in the car! To take a page out of Dorothy Gale’s book: “If ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further
than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!” (If you don’t know who Dorothy Gale is, you
haven’t seen The Wizard of Oz).
But the real heart of the story lies not in my irresponsibility, but in the caring responses of Midori Kai. According to the Midori Kai website, (www.midorikai.com) Midori means “evergreen” or “everlasting” and Kai means “organization.” According to
Dictionary.com, an organization can be defined as “Something made up of elements with varied functions that contribute to the
whole and to collective functions.”
To me, the definition of “Midori Kai” represents what I see in the Japanese American community. Throughout the whole ordeal, the idea of theft never crossed anyone’s mind. The camera was lost either to carelessness (mine) or was accidentally mixed
up in someone else’s things, which means it would eventually turn up (which it did). That day, Midori Kai not only showed their
Continued on Page 7
JAMsj News 6
A Case of Early Discrimination
By Paul DeWitt
TEACHER EXCLUDES JAPANESE BOY AND
GOVERNMENT FILES TEST SUIT
The headline in the San Francisco newspaper, The Bulletin, January 17, 1907
Keikichi Aoki migrated from Japan to the United States with his father and settled in San
Francisco, attending Washington Grammar School as a second grader. After the April 18,
1906, earthquake and fire, the family moved to 1821 Laguna Street. Keikichi was enrolled
in the third grade at Reading Primary School, two blocks from their new home. His father
worked as a publisher and bookstore owner around the corner from their home at 2011
Pine Street. He was fairly fluent in English, unless he became excited—then he would
lapse to Japanese.
On October 11, 1906, the San Francisco Board of Education passed a resolution requiring
the segregation of Chinese and Mongolian students to a separate Oriental Primary School, just built in the Chinatown area. Although Japanese students were not specifically identified, they were considered by the Board to be Mongolian.
Mr. Aoki refused to send Keikichi to the segregated school and withdrew him from Reading. At this time, there were approximately 28,000 students attending 72 schools in the 42 square miles of San Francisco. Of these students, only 97 were Japanese.
Instead of walking two blocks to Reading, Keikichi would have had to travel 14 blocks to Oriental. Because of the earthquake, public transportation was virtually nonexistent.
Mr. Aoki wanted his son to continue at Reading. He said, “I object to having my son separated from the White boys. All Japanese people here feel the same way. We consider Europeans, American and Japanese all equal. I intend to make my home here,
and so does my boy. Neither he nor I will go back to Japan. I want to send Keikichi to the University of California. He is bright and I
think he will get along well.”
U.S. District Attorney Davlin decided to file a suit against the Board of Education to overturn the Board’s segregation resolution. On January 17, 1907, ten-year old Keikichi Aoki and his father, along with Assistant Attorney General George Clark and a representative from the Japanese Consulate, entered the office of Mary Deane, the principal.
Mr. Clark stated, “I come to make a formal demand that this school boy, Aoki, be admitted to the fourth grade class at Reading Grammar School.” Miss Deane responded, “In accordance with the resolution passed by the Board of Education, I am compelled to refuse Aoki admission.” That afternoon, cases were filed in both the Federal and State courts, and Aoki v Deane (1907)
became the test case.
President Theodore Roosevelt felt the School Board was creating problems for Washington DC in its relations with Japan. Japan defeated China (1895) and Russia (1905) in two major wars. President Roosevelt had served as a mediator between Russia and
Japan to end that war. Japan had become the most powerful nation in Asia.
Animosity was growing between San Francisco and the Roosevelt administration, as well as between Japan and the White
House. President Roosevelt invited Mayor Schmitz of San Francisco and the whole Board of Education to come to Washington to
discuss the segregation issue. On February 15, after long hours of conversations and
negotiations, the White House, the mayor and the school board arrived at a settlement. The President would make a “Gentleman’s
Agreement” with Japan, ending the immigration of Japanese laborers to the United States.
Japan would not sign a treaty on this issue but accepted the Gentleman’s Agreement. The President issued an
Executive Order banning the migration of Japanese laborers to the United States mainland from Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.
Lastly, the President agreed to dismiss the case of Aoki v Deane (1907). In exchange, the San Francisco Board of Education rescinded its October 11, 1906, segregation resolution.
Keikichi Aoki was able to return to Reading Grammar School.
Midori Kai from Page 6
benevolence to JAMsj through a monetary donation, but through their genuine attempts to help a young volunteer find her subpar
Sony camera.
So to that, I say, “many thanks.” I’ll take your photos anytime.
To chastise Kiyomi on her irresponsible behavior, or to sign up for a free photo shoot on Kiyomi’s subpar Sony camera, email
her at kiyomi@jamsj.org. You can also see her recovered Midori Kai Boutique photos on the JAMsj Facebook page
(www.facebook.com Keywords: Japanese American Museum of San Jose).
JAMsj News 7
June Honma Appointed Volunteer Coordinator
r
tee
n
lu
Vo rner
Co
by Aggie Idemoto
Last year, when Barbara Sakakihara resigned from her board and volunteer coordinator responsibilities due to a family emergency, Reiko Itamura stepped up to the plate as interim volunteer coordinator. By spring 2009, along came June Honma, a new JAMsj volunteer.
It didn’t take long before June was appointed to a leadership position as volunteer coordinator.
Organizing the Volunteer Appreciation Day was one of the first tasks on her “to do” list. She jumped in
feet first and pulled off a winner. Her past experience as a volunteer coordinator for the Nagano Olympics gave her a firm foundation for success. She lived in Japan for five years, the first three as
Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET).
During her last two years in Japan, June worked for the Nagano Olympic Organizing Committee as an IOC relations officer and
a media relations officer. During the Games, she was assistant manager of the Main Press Center’s (MPC) information desk. The
MPC was allocated sixty of the best language volunteers. Many returned to Japan to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to volunteer at a Winter Olympics.
Before, during and after the Nagano Olympics, June was charged with tasking volunteers to be resourceful to members of the
world press and photo journalists, making announcements, running errands and distributing information.
She continued as a CIR during her last year with the JET Programme and was appointed the prefectural advisor for the JET
Programme in Nagano, wearing two hats during her last year with JET. Further, she functioned as a cross-cultural counselor to JETs
having problems while living and working in Japan.
Being the administrator of the JET Programme meant increased responsibility. Because the job was voluntary in nature, June
did not receive any increased pay but rather accepted the position for the experience. She also had the distinction of being
selected the first female ever appointed to this position in Nagano. She continues to be an active member of the JET Alumni
Association of Northern California. So why does she volunteer for JAMsj? In her own words, “The Japanese American community
has provided a strong source of support and guidance to my family, and I want to give back to the community that has always been
there for us.”
June finds time for community service in addition to her “real work” as a paralegal at Immigration Law Group LLP. Her hobbies and interests include Pilates, winter sports, fishing, world travel and Japanese language learning.
We are fortunate, indeed, to have her skills and talents to support JAMsj. As Mimi Suga, Outreach Coordinator notes, "It's
great to have June aboard. She is enthusiastic and always willing to do whatever needs to be done."
What Volunteering Means to Me
by June Homna
My involvement with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) began in the spring of this year after reconnecting
with Barbara Uchiyama, my high school P.E. teacher; Jimi Yamaichi, my brothers’ Eagle Scout project advisor; and friends in the
community at the JAMsj Visionaries Gala.
I had been wanting for some time to get more involved in my community and feel that volunteering with JAMsj is an excellent
fit. It has not only allowed me the opportunity to meet and work with many wonderful people, but I now have a much stronger
connection to San Jose Japantown and feel that I am devoting my time to a worthy cause.
Before I began volunteering with JAMsj, I had thought that the organization would not have a lot to do since the museum was
closed. Contrary to what I expected, however, JAMsj is very busy! The museum has many ongoing projects in the works, the prime
one being of course the completion of the museum. Our volunteers remain hard at work making great strides toward the opening
of a beautiful new museum in the heart of San Jose Japantown, as well as continuing to participate in community events and fundraisers.
Being fully operated by volunteers, JAMsj needs to continue to recruit volunteers who can help us keep up with all of the organization’s needs. With the museum opening in just a few months, we are sure to need even more volunteers.
JAMsj’s mission is to preserve and disseminate the culture and history of Japanese Americans, with a special focus on the
greater Bay Area. If you wish to volunteer with us, please download the Volunteer Information Form from jamsj.org and submit
your completed form to us. We sincerely hope you will join the JAMsj family and share your many talents with us. Thank you!
JAMsj News 8
Hidden Internment: The Art Shibayama Story
by Susan Nakamura
From December 1941 to February 1948, the United States government forcibly abducted, deported and
incarcerated 2,264 men, women and children of Japanese ancestry from 13 Latin American countries. Their
intent was to use them as hostages in exchange for Americans held by Japan. Over 800 Japanese Latin Americans were included in two prisoner-of-war exchanges between U.S. and Japan. The video Hidden Internment:
The Art Shibayama Story is about this little known aspect of history.
On September 13, more than 100 people gathered at the Yu-Ai Kai Senior Service Center to view Hidden
Internment, and to discuss with Art his experiences as one of the Japanese Peruvians who was shipped to Crystal City, Texas. The video includes original footage of the military round-up in the 1940s and present-day testimonials from former internees speaking in English, Spanish and Japanese.
Joe Yasutake
Art Shibayama
The discussion was facilitated by Japanese American Museum representative Joe Yasutake who was also incarcerated in Crystal City. Joe remembered that communicating with the Japanese Peruvians had to be in Japanese since they didn’t know English.
He was quick to point out that the Japanese Peruvian ‘boys’ spoke excellent Japanese, much better than the Japanese American
Niseis.
Although Art was forcibly transported to the United States, the government denied him citizenship. Despite being classified
as an illegal alien, Art was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He later received legal residency. Despite
the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that formally apologized and monetarily compensated Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII, Art and other Japanese Latins were denied redress under this Act, because they had not entered the country
legally.
The Campaign for Justice organization has attempted to raise community awareness about the plight of Japanese Latin Americans. Kathleen Kozen, CFJ representative, was on hand to answer questions about the status of the Japanese Latin American Commission bill (HR 42).
In September, the Judiciary Committee adjourned without getting to the bill. Currently, there are six out of 40 Committee
members who are co-sponsors of HR 42. More sponsors are needed to ensure that HR 42 passes in the next session. Your help is
needed to spread the word to friends and family in the districts represented by Judiciary Committee members to urge support for
the bill.
The event was sponsored by Nihonmachi Outreach Commmittee. Master of ceremonies Gary Jio thanked the attendees for
their overwhelming response. Judging from the comments from the audience that included a few others who were in Crystal City,
incarceration hass not been forgotten. Full redress should not denied to Japanese Latin Americans.
JAMsj Board of Directors
President
Aggie Idemoto, Ed.D.
Vice President
Joe Yasutake, Ph.D.
Financial Director
Rev. Byron Ishiwata
Director/Curator
Jimi Yamaichi
Secretary/Scholar
Steve Fugita, Ph.D.
Development Director
Jeff Kuwano
Volunteer Leadership
Volunteer Coordinator ............................... June Honma
Outreach Coordinator ................................ Mimi Suga
Newsletter Editor ....................................... Amy Halcrow
Newsletter Proofreader ............................. Lynn Ritter
Winter Boutique ........................................ Joyce Yamamoto
................................................................... Reiko Itamura
................................................................... June Honma
Paul DeWitt, Will Kaku, Karen Matsuoka, DPhil, Roy Matsuzaki,
Kristin Okimoto, Joyce Yuri Oyama, Terry Terakawa, Barbara
Uchiyama, Eva Yamamoto, Kiyomi Yamamoto
Advisory Board
Tomoko Hazley, Jerry Hiura DDS, Hon. Mike Honda, Tom Izu,
Rev. Gerald Sakamoto, Carolyn Sakauye MD
Winter Boutique
November 14, 2009
JAMsj News 9
Japanese American Museum of San Jose
535 North Fifth Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage Paid
San Jose, CA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Permit #2068
Calendar of Events
November
6
Yu-Ai Kai Anniversary Gala
6 pm, Fairmont Hotel
14 JAMsj Winter Boutique
10 am-4 pm (members only 9 am)
18 JAMsj Board Meeting
6:45PM @ Issei Memorial Building
December
January
9 JAMsj Board Meeting
6:45 pm @ Issei Memorial Building
13 JAMsj Board Meeting
6:45 pm @ Issei Memorial Building
Wish List
When the museum building is finished, we have a need for
many plants and trees to provide attractive landscaping. The
following are examples. If you or someone you know would
like to donate towards the purchase of these plants and trees
(among many others) OR can help with planting, please let us
know.
COMMON NAME
QTY
SIZE
HEAVENLY BAMBOO
BAMBOO
JAPANESE ARALIA
JAPANESE PERSIMMON
MYER LEMON
JAPANESE WISTERIA
KATSURA TREE
FUJI APPLE
11
8
2
1
1
3
1
2
5G
1G
5G
15G
1G
5G
5G
1G
The Museum is CLOSED for construction
During construction, JAMsj will continue outreach activities and to work with other organizations.
Please call 408.294.3138 for details.