Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1742/

Her definition of Nikkei

For me being a Nikkei is a mixture of taking the best of both worlds, and combining them together, and the values honesty, and integrity, and respect, and family. Even though the family portion is very strong, and solid in both sides, the Colombian sides of family is very important. So is in the Japanese side. Family's very important. But I think also, but the culturally, the fun, and the mischief, and gaiety I think comes from the Colombian culture more than the Japanese culture. Even though I can't say Colombians also are very hardworking, very resourceful, they're just like jerry rig anything out of necessity. Third world countries have that spirit of creativity, and ingenuity just fixing problems with however you can. All those things just get combined in being Nikkei you just take from both, but at the same time you're neither. You are a perfect blend of both, but you aren't neither of them.


Colombia Hawaii identity Japanese Americans Japanese Colombians Nikkei United States

Date: September 22, 2019

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura

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

Interviewee Bio

Monica Teisher was born in Cali, Colombia in 1974 to an Issei father and Nisei mother. She and her large extended family were active in the Cali Japanese community, the largest in Colombia. She moved to the United States after marrying a U.S. citizen of Eastern European Jewish descent. They and their daughters spend vacation time in Colombia, participating in community events. (May 2020)

Jean Hamako Schneider
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

On international marriages (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Jean Hamako Schneider
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Masao-san (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Jean Hamako Schneider
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Conflicted about immigrating to America (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Tamio Wakayama
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Wakayama,Tamio

Defining "Nikkei"

(1941-2018) Japanese Canadian photojournalist and activist

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Paulo Issamu Hirano
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Hirano,Paulo Issamu

The term Nikkei (Japanese)

(b. 1979) Sansei Nikkei Brazilian who lives in Oizumi-machi in Gunma prefecture. He runs his own design studio.

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Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

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Robert T. Fujioka
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Growing up Japanese in Hawaii

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Kishi Bashi
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Bashi,Kishi

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Kishi Bashi
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Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

American values she aligns with

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Michelle Yamashiro
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Working together in Okinawa using three languages

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Mitsuye Yamada
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Yamada,Mitsuye

Expressing herself through poetry

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

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