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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)

Fukuhara,Jimmy Ko

After being discharged and returning to the nursery business

(b. 1921) Nisei veteran who served in the occupation of Japan

Ohtomo,Hachiro

Business in Missouri (Japanese)

(b. 1936) Shin-issei welding business owner

Ohtomo,Hachiro

My daughter couldn’t fit in Japan, so I decided to go back to America (Japanese)

(b. 1936) Shin-issei welding business owner

Shikota,Antonio Shinkiti

Transition from a factory worker to starting his own business (Portuguese)

(b. 1962) Japanese Brazilian owner of a Brazilian products store in Japan.

Takashio,Akira

Tough life at boarding house (Japanese)

Shin Issei – owner of izakaya (Japanese-style tavern) and kappo (small Japanese diner) restaurant, Honda-Ya

Yuki,Tom

His family's migration to Salinas, California

(b. 1935) Sansei businessman.

Yuki,Tom

Father's business partner operated their farming business during WWII

(b. 1935) Sansei businessman.

Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

Yamashiro,Michelle

General reasons why people left Japan for Peru

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamada,Mitsuye

Her mother came to the U.S. with a group of picture brides

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

Yamada,Mitsuye

Her father bought her mother American clothes after she arrived from Japan

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist