Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/785/

A personality fit for Argentina (Japanese)

(Japanese) When I think about it now, in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, there aren’t many places that are that beautiful, although it’s a large city and all… I’m not sure if I can say that it’s a very attractive place (laughs). But the fact that this was a foreign country, and since I had been studying Spanish at the time, and I was somewhat able to communicate with people from the get go, it made me pretty happy to be here right away. I do feel that, compared to European countries, there is somewhat of a lack of order here. But it is a young country, and in terms of potential, I think South America has more to offer. I’m sure how you see it differs from person to person… I think Europe has its own kind of attractiveness, while South America is also attractive in a different way. For me, I feel that my personality is a better fit here [in Argentina].


identity

Date: 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Masaki Tamashio was born in Okinawa. In the summer of his 3rd year in college, he took his first vacation abroad in Argentina, where a relative lived. He returned for a visit upon graduation, and stumbled upon a job as a Japanese teacher by chance. Currently he works as the Vice-principal of the Japanese class at Centro Nikkei Argentino. (2006)

Kogiso,Mónica

Nihongo gakko - Preserving Japanese culture (Spanish)

(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.

Mizuki,Peter

Not wanting to stand out as a foreigner

Sansei Japanese American living in Japan and Kendo practioner

Yamasaki,Frank

Have compassion for all of humanity

(b. 1923) Nisei from Washington. Resisted draft during WWII.

Kogiso,Mónica

Identity crisis (Spanish)

(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.

(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Never sang Enka outside the family

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

Kansuma,Fujima

Both Japanese and American identities though Japanese dance

(1918-2023) Nisei Japanese kabuki dancer

Herzig,Aiko Yoshinaga

Results of being more American than Japanese

(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist

(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Trying to convey the meaning of the songs

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

Endo,Kenny

Internship on a Native American reservation in Arizona

(b.1952) Master drummer, artistic director of the Taiko Center of the Pacific

Ota,Vince

Different tension between East Coast and Los Angeles

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

Tanaka,Seiichi

Differences between American and Japanese taiko

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

Sogi,Francis Y.

Meeting Japanese Americans from the mainland in MIS

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

Inoue,Enson

Sudden acceptance in Japanese society

(b. 1967) Hawai`i-born professional fighter in Japan