Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1348/

Life Philosophy

You know, almost 50 years in business since I came up to America. I found a lot of things, I made mistakes. I made something good success, too, but a lot of mistake, too.

So I kinda think back to look at it, and I tell my son, too, but my life is...all my life, I try to be honest, my best policy. I try not to cheat the people, just stay honest, then working straight and working hard, try to do it. That's what I, my philosophy to keep my life. So I want you to do the same way because in the meantime, in the last 50 year time, someone screw me up then, lied to me, they cheat me, someone I lost big money. But that was my fault because I didn't know better to protect myself. Use your future you couldn't get cheated, but you don't want be cheated the people. Stay honest.

That's the best policy I could tell you because even I lost a lot of money but I still comfortable. I don't shame to nobody, I don't owe nobody. I pay all the tax and everything. Nothing wrong, nothing shame of it. So that's the best comfortable life, right? Enjoying now.

So except my health, that's can't help, but as long as you keep up with good health and honest life, this is the best thing to do. So don't be dishonest person. Stay in the life, clear as possible than dishonest. Stay working, continue to work on job. That way don't look for too many things. That's what I thought.

That's what I like to be all young people, too because same, everybody think all business to stick on it. Then try to be honest, peaceful the life is the whole world gonna be. I think why not. But people try to be too success quicker, or try to be more successful, more money, more enjoyment, always looking for...that's where get in trouble is. Just stay in the own pace and comfortable pace and working continue, this is what to me is the best life. I don't know may be some other better way, but I didn't know what other better way. That's what I did it.


aesthetics business economics gaman (values) generations humanities immigrants immigration Issei Japan management metaphysics migration philosophy postwar psychology Shin-Issei theory of knowledge United States values World War II

Date: February 2, 2012

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Chris Komai, John Esaki

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Harunori Oda was born and raised in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, but moved to the U.S. after meeting and marrying a Nisei woman who was visiting Japan in the post WWII period. Though he hated the U.S., his wife, Mitsy, convinced him that he would have greater opportunities for success in the U.S., so he decided to take the chance. Though his English skills were limited, he worked his way up through the nursery business—an enterprise he determined would offer the most opportunity for a person with his abilities. Eventually, he started his own nursery, expanded, and later achieved great success as a developer of real estate in Orange County. He passed away on December 14, 2016, at age 91. (December 2016)

Ito,Mitsuo

Chose to go back to Japan

(b.1924) Japanese Canadian Nisei. Interpreter for British Army in Japan after WWII. Active in Japanese Canadian community

Kadoguchi,Shizuko

Choice to move east or go to Japan

(b.1920) Japanese Canadian Nisei. Established the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Toronto

Naito,Sam

Starting an import business after World War II

(b. 1921) Nisei businessman. Established "Made in Oregon" retail stores

Tanaka,Seiichi

Coming to America

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

Inoue,Enson

The reason for coming to Japan

(b. 1967) Hawai`i-born professional fighter in Japan

Hashizume,Bill

Father’s success in farm business

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

Hashizume,Bill

Liaison between the Americans and the Japanese

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

Hashizume,Bill

Reason to come back to Canada in 1954

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

Iino,Masako

Interest in Japanese migration studies (Japanese)

Tsuda College President, researcher of Nikkei history

Kogiso,Mónica

History of her family's immigration (Spanish)

(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.

Ota,Vince

Moving to and living in Japan

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

Ota,Vince

The reason to stay in Japan after his third year

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

Kobayashi,Bert A.

Getting involved in the family business at age 19

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

Kobayashi,Bert A.

A body, mind and spirit work ethic

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

Hirose,Roberto

Growing up with some Japanese families (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman