Stuff contributed by Greg
The Amazing Tashiro Family
Part 3: Aiko Tashiro—Writer, Musician, and Activist
Greg Robinson
Among the five accomplished children of Aijiro Tashiro, daughter Aiko was perhaps the one who had the most disparate and far-flung career, as musician, journalist, and activist.
The Readmission: Toyohiko Kagawa’s 1950 US Tour
Bo Tao, Greg Robinson
Some time ago, we did a column for Discover Nikkei on the Japanese evangelist and social reformer Toyohiko Kagawa. During his lifetime, Kagawa was renowned as a prolific writer—he authored some 150 books—and apostle of Christian socialism. Because of the spiritual dimension he brought to his leadership of movements for …
The Amazing Tashiro Family
Part 1: Aijiro Tashiro—The Founder
Greg Robinson
One aspect of Japanese American history that I have been fascinated to uncover is that of family dynasties—the sagas of clans with multiple members who made outstanding commercial, scientific or artistic contributions. One such clan is the Tajiris, a family whose members included the journalists Larry Tajiri and his wife …
Artist and Documentarian: The Life of Kango Takamura
Jonathan van Harmelen, Greg Robinson
What images come to mind when we think of the wartime experience of Japanese Americans? For many, the photographs produced by Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams or Toyo Miyatake come to mind, with their unique portrayals of the human condition. Yet equally powerful and moving are the representations of the incarceration …
Layle Lane: Black Woman Educator and Defender of Japanese Americans
Greg Robinson
One crucial aspect of Nikkei history that has not received due recognition from community chroniclers is the close relations between Japanese Americans and blacks, and especially the disproportionate support that African Americans offered Nisei during the World War II period.
Madame Sojin and Eddie Sojin: The Lives of Chie and Edo Mita
Greg Robinson
In the first half of this segment, I traced the career of Hollywood silent film actor Sojin Kamiyama. In the second half, I would like to flesh out aspects of the intriguing (and largely unknown) careers of Sojin’s wife Uraji Yamakawa and their son Edo Heihachi Mita [Kamiyama], who combined acting …
Sojin Kamiyama: The Man they called Sôjin
Greg Robinson
Among all the Japanese actors who graced Hollywood screens in the silent and early sound eras, perhaps none had such a charismatic and powerful presence as Sojin (Kamiyama). Though he spent only a relatively short time in the United States, and never attained the level of stardom of his contemporary …