Interviews

1. Her interests in Japanese culture (Spanish)

2. Identity (Spanish)

3. The importance of learning cultural diversity (Spanish)

4. The arrival of her grandpa (Spanish)

5. The memory of her grandfather (Spanish)

6. To think in one language and live in another (Spanish)

7. Studying Japanese to understand her grandfather (Spanish)

8. Japanese language is the important aspect to keep identity (Spanish)

Hattori,Paula Hoyos

Sansei Argentinean

Her interests in Japanese culture (Spanish)

(Spanish) I am Argentine because I was born here. But it is true that I have a significant affinity for Japanese culture and, in part, I feel Japanese. That is, in contrast with my sister, who, for example, has no interest in Japanese culture, nor does she study the Japanese language, or have any interest in visiting Japan. And nor has she ever planned to visit Japan. I believe that this tendency [toward Japanese culture] is much stronger in me. Japanese culture interests me so much. I want to understand my Japanese grandfather; [in my efforts] to try to understand [my grandfather], it is necessary for me to study Japanese culture, especially because I live in Argentina immersed in an absolutely western culture. I watch Japanese movies or read Japanese novels, although in translation. I study Japanese, and I realize that the vision of the Asian world is absolutely distinct. I cannot deny that I have a very strong attraction to this other vision of the world.

culture families identity

Date: July 12, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino