Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/751/

The importance of learning cultural diversity (Spanish)

(Spanish) I am interested generally in [getting] acquainted [with this] diversity [of cultures]. It seems to me that it is fundamental to know other, distinct things from your own; if you like the rérmino, in order to be able to grow as a person, to be able to understand more things. Therefore, precisely [I am a] product of a mix my own existence; because part of my father is Quechua, and of my mother is all Japanese. To be really mixed gives me the possibility of knowing two absolutely distinct cultures. What I like about [being a product of two distinct cultures], is that it opens the mind and you realize that the reality in which you live is not the only possible reality and that there are thousands [of] diverse ways of seeing things and of thinking of things. It seems to me that [this] is fundamental. By choosing your own way of seeing things, or it appears that some things are good or are not good…the important thing is, and the richness of the experience at any rate is to realize that [all] diversity exists.


culture ethnicity group identity identity racially mixed people

Date: July 12, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Paula Hoyos Hattori is a sansei born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a student of letters and dance. Her father is a descendant of Argentine Indians, while her mother is a Nisei, a daughter of Japanese parents. Paula’s particular profile (half Argentine, half Japanese) provides a distinctive vision because of the fusion of these two cultures. (July 12, 2006)

Watanabe,Akira

To be a Nikkei is a confluence of cultures (Spanish)

(b. 1974) Director of Ryukyu Matsuri Daiko in Peru

Nakamura,Ann K.

Image of Americans

Sansei from Hawaii living in Japan. Teacher and businesswoman.

Okasaki,Robert (Bob) Kiyoshi

Japanese influence growing up

(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.

Hirabayashi,PJ

Diverse membership in San Jose Taiko

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

Okasaki,Robert (Bob) Kiyoshi

Looking at your country from the outside

(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.

Okasaki,Robert (Bob) Kiyoshi

Wife's family in Japan

(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.

Takeshita,Yukio

Lack of notion of citizenship in Japan

(b.1935) American born Japanese. Retired businessman.

Watanabe,Akira

Generational Change (Spanish)

(b. 1974) Director of Ryukyu Matsuri Daiko in Peru

Glaser,Byron

Growing up in a Japanese American community

Illustrator and designer

Yamano,Jane Aiko

Lack of language skills

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Yamano,Jane Aiko

Preserving traditional Japanese culture

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Yamano,Jane Aiko

Having patience in Japan, being both

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Glaser,Byron

Supporting art because it's essential

Illustrator and designer

Yamano,Jane Aiko

New Year's food

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Yokoyama,Wayne Shigeto

Being on the outside

(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.