Passing on the Values of the Issei

Passing on the Values of the Issei

What are Japanese American values? In his book, Issei: The Shadow Generation, Dr. Tsukasa Matsueda writes about the Japanese immigrants who crossed the ocean with not only their hopes and dreams, but also the values of their homeland. They taught these values to their Nisei children by example in how they worked and lived, but also through words and phrases like gaman, makeruna, and kodomo no tame ni.

The Japanese American National Museum recently interviewed Matsueda about his book. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Like a morning alarm, the Issei legacy rings through these pages, grabs the Americanized Japanese and reminds her/him what it is to be Japanese American. It warns us that while as individuals we have come a long way, we must preserve our sense of community. In the current social context, we are reminded that our perseverance as a community is not the result of our ability to assimilate. To assimilate would imply that that we give up our identity and our values. But rather, the great achievements of the Japanese American community have come through the ability to integrate new values and ideas to those that have made us who we are. Let us not forget the legacy of the Issei. Thus, Matsueda provides a window into ourselves to help us remember where we come from, and a solid foundation of history and values to guide us into the future.

Read the article on the Museum Store Online and share your thoughts below.

Why is it vital to preserve the Issei and Nisei Japanese American experience? What do you see as the future of American identity from the Japanese American perspective? Are Issei values still relevant in today’s world?