Interviews
The myth of the sacrifice of immigrants (Spanish)
(Spanish) We’re a group that still believes we are immigrants. That is why we don’t get together, why we don’t give ourselves to the native land. And part of this immigrant’s logic is to inherit this entire mystic notion, this example. The blood is not the only thing you inherit; you inherit the example, the gesture. And yes, I continue to observe in the third, fourth generations of sansei people that yes… but well, for the good, they very smartly put it where they want to. They sometimes stray but they get back to the same place. They go out but return to the correct path, the kami. In my case, or in the case of the Nisei, it’s terrible. We took and sometimes I feel that I take… ahh, what you refer to as sacrifice, to duty, of example… hangs over my shoulders. It is now like an obstacle, the fear that it will defeat me. Look, think. There was a moment in my life that I thought ‘I can’t even kill myself; I can’t auto eliminate nor commit suicide, even if I wanted to because it is bad example’. I still continue to think like this because it would be a bad example for my nephews, relatives, bad example for living a courageous life, dedicated to literature, and cultural promotion. And in the end I auto eliminate myself. What’s the phrase? ”See, you shouldn’t be like this because you’ll end like this”. I can’t even do that. Life belongs to us until a certain point, and then it doesn’t. That is the detail of being a Nikkei. Life belongs to us until certain point because we’re very moral. We’re moral. Every immigrant people are messianic. They feel they have a mission, the mission of giving a good example: the mission to inhabit the earth: the mission to take the good word, good attitudes, something positive… a lot of energy to the rest, especially to the family, to your closest circle. So, yes, it is not a legend, it’s a fact. We live with that, and that is another way of being a Nikkei too. It’s not bad, but yes it’s exhausting.
Date: February 26, 2008
Location: Lima, Peru
Interviewer: Harumi Nako
Contributed by: Asociación Peruano Japonesa (APJ)
Explore More Videos
Working at the magazine
(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.
His parents' experience with Japanese resistance toward intermarriage with Okinawans
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Working in cane fields as teenager, and how it helped in his athletic training (Japanese)
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Nickname
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Mixed emotions after declaration of war on Japan
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
The reason he came to the United States (Japanese)
(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California
Growing up in Waikiki
(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i
The philosophy of playing Taiko
(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.
Learning Japanese traditions by observing his mother and grandmother
(b. 1981) Enka Singer
Activities growing up in Peru
(1930-2018) Nisei born in Peru. Taken to the United States during WWII.
History of her family's immigration (Spanish)
(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.
Nihongo gakko - Preserving Japanese culture (Spanish)
(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.
Not wanting to stand out as a foreigner
Sansei Japanese American living in Japan and Kendo practioner
Have compassion for all of humanity
(b. 1923) Nisei from Washington. Resisted draft during WWII.
Identity crisis (Spanish)
(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.