Defining Nikkei as Issei, Nisei, Sansei has its challenges. My maternal great grandfather Takejiro Toyota came to Canada in 1907, and was joined by his wife, Hama and their 13 year old son, Shoshichi in 1910. Can two generations have the same designation?Continue reading
Author: Michael Abe
2 – On Intermarriage
Since first hearing about my family and the Japanese Canadian experience during the war from a reluctant father through a Grade 8 Social Science assignment, I have always been curious to learn more about my heritage, including learning the language and studying Japanese creative and martial arts. Although I expected I might glean stories from...Continue reading
3 – On Education
It was difficult to learn about the forced uprooting and internment of the Japanese Canadians growing up because it was not taught in Ontario when I was in school. It is not much better for my kids even here in BC today where it is an integral part of their history. It is great to...Continue reading