History of Seattle Nikkei Immigrants from The North American Times

Chapter 4—Notable People in Seattle

Ikuo Shinmasu

In the last chapter, I introduced some articles about the growth of Japanese businesses in Seattle in and after 1917. This time I would like to present The North American Times articles about some notable people in Seattle.

History of Seattle Nikkei Immigrants from The North American Times

Chapter 3—Seattle Development and Flourishing Japantown

Ikuo Shinmasu

History of Seattle Nikkei Immigrants from The North American Times

Chapter 2—Seattle Japanese Pioneers

Ikuo Shinmasu

The first chapter featured articles related to the early days of Seattle from around 1850. Here, the focus is Japanese immigrants who first went to Seattle around 1890.

History of Seattle Nikkei Immigrants from The North American Times

Chapter 1—19th Century Seattle and Nikkei Immigrants

Ikuo Shinmasu

The North American Times is a Japanese newspaper that was published in Seattle from 1902 until shortly after the United States’ entry into World War II. A microfilm archive is kept at the University of Washington (UW) Library. Scott Edward Harrison was a librarian at the East Asian Library, UW. …

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Final Part: Atae’s re-entry into the U.S. and the family’s life afterwards

Ikuo Shinmasu

In the previous part, I wrote about Aki’s challenge and her two daughters’ re-entry into the U.S. after Yoemon’s death. This is the final part of the series in which I share the eldest son Atae’s re-entry into the U.S. and the family’s life afterwards.

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Part 11 – Aki’s challenge and re-entry of her two daughters into the U.S.

Ikuo Shinmasu

In the last part, I wrote about Yoemon’s death from an unexpected accident and the family’s sorrowful return from Seattle to Kamai. In this part, I will write about how Aki recovered from sorrow, headed to Seattle again, and had her daughters come to the U.S.

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Part 10 – Unfortunate death and sorrowful return home

Ikuo Shinmasu

In Part 9, I wrote about the Japanese Association that provided support for Yoemon and the days leading up to the opening of his hotel. In this part, I will write about how Yoemon came to his unfortunate end.

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Part 9 – The Japanese Association and Yoemon’s final days

Ikuo Shinmasu

In Part 8, I wrote about the immigrants from Yamaguchi Prefecture, the process of sending money back to Japan, and the construction of Yoemon’s new house in Kamai. This time, I will write about the Japanese association (Nihonjinkai) that supported Yoemon in Seattle and the final days of his life.

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Part 8 – Sending money home and a new house

Ikuo Shinmasu

In Part 7, I wrote about Yoemon Shinmasu’s venture into the hotel business. This time, I will write about Yoemon’s birthplace, Yamaguchi Prefecture, him sending money back home, and the construction of his new house in Kamai.

Yoemon Shinmasu – My Grandfather’s Life in Seattle

Part 7 - Leap to the hotel business

Ikuo Shinmasu

In Part 6, I wrote about how Yoemon educated his eldest son, Atae, in Seattle. This part will focus on how Yoemon’s barbershop business led him to make a big leap forward in starting a hotel business.