Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1755/

First meal at Crystal City

The first thing I recognized was a can of plum or fruit with syrup in juice, and I just took a couple of those. And it tasted so good, I never ate anything like that. Few more, and I waited to be given our meal. So when we got our meal, I don't know what it was, either French fries or potatoes somehow. And everybody was using ketchup, so I used it. That was the first time I had ketchup, and it was so good, I tell you. To this day I use ketchup on almost anything that I eat.


Crystal City internment camp Department of Justice camps food Texas United States World War II World War II camps

Date: September 20, 2019

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Tom Ikeda and Yoko Nishimura

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum and Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

Interviewee Bio

Jimmy Naganuma was born in Callao, Peru to his Issei parents in 1936. He was eight years old when his family were forced to board a ship, to be incarcerated at Crystal City, Texas, during World War II. They remained there even after the war had ended, without a place to go. They were able to leave via a sponsorship by a reverend in San Francisco, California, where they were able to find jobs and housing.  (June 2020)

Cedrick Shimo
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Shimo,Cedrick

Strictly American, but sympathize with Japan

(1919-2020) Member of the 1800th Engineering Battalion. Promoted Japan-U.S. trade while working for Honda's export division.

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Terry Janzen
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Janzen,Terry

Father's Service in WWII

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

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Terry Janzen
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Janzen,Terry

Moving to Upland Post-Camp

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

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Toshiro Konishi
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Konishi,Toshiro

What Makes Japanese Cooking In Peru Interesting (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Konishi,Toshiro

What’s Next as a Chef (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Konishi,Toshiro

Japanese-Peruvian Cuisine (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Konishi,Toshiro

Delivering Dinner for Former President Fujimori (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshihiko Seki
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Seki,Toshihiko

Japanese Culture and the crafting Sushi in the States (Japanese)

(n. 1962) Sushi Chef

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Toshihiko Seki
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Seki,Toshihiko

Making Sushi and Enjoying Life (Japanese)

(n. 1962) Sushi Chef

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Toshihiko Seki
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Seki,Toshihiko

Raising a Golden Egg (Japanese)

(n. 1962) Sushi Chef

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Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Kindergarten in Davao, Philippines

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

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Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Family was shipped back to Japan after the war

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

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Herb Ohta
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Ohta,Herb

Living in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

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Harry Schneider
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Schneider,Harry

Coming to California

(1916 - 2013) Member of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service

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Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Life in the Philippines

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

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