Sachiko Takashima’s interview was conducted by Lisa Uyeda on July 12, 2010, in Toronto, Canada.
The interview delves into Sachiko’s early life and her experiences as a Japanese Canadian before, during, and after World War II. Sachiko was born on August 18, 1925 in Hinatayama, Kagoshima, Japan. She had two elder siblings, a brother and a sister. After her father became unwell, her mother left Japan and returned to Canada. Summerland, British Columbia, was the original home of Sachiko’s parents before her father’s passing in 1929. Sachiko’s mother remarried, and the family relocated to Vancouver. In Vancouver, the family first lived in a rooming house on Powell Street before moving to Marpole, South Vancouver, where her stepfather was employed as a gardener. Sachiko attended the Powell Street United Church Kindergarten and the Strathcona Public School during her stay on Powell Street. She later attended David Lloyd George School in Marpole. Sachiko recalls few Japanese students in her Marpole class, but remembers that the Japanese community was close-knit. Sachiko also attended Japanese school in Marpole until grade three. She reminisces childhood memories of playing in vacant lots, roller skating with the neighbourhood kids, and helping her mother with household chores. Sachiko joined Marpole United Church and participated in the Canadian Girls In Training (CGIT). In addition, Sachiko learned to play the piano.
During the war, her family was forcibly relocated and interned at the New Denver camp. Her father was sent to a road camp at the beginning of internment. Her mother, during the internment, taught Japanese to several elementary children. Sachiko was a high school student and had an office job in the camp during the internment years. Sachiko reflects on the various friendships she made with fellow internees and neighbours. After the war, Sachiko moved to Toronto, Ontario, working various jobs. Most notably, she worked at the head office of the United Church of Canada. In 1947, she enrolled in Alma College for two years to finish high school. After college, she lived with her siblings and father in Scarbrough, Ontario, while her mother lived in downtown Toronto. Post-war, Sachiko remained an active member of the United Church’s congregation. In 1951, she married her husband, Shoji Takahashi.
Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Post War Conference: https://vimeo.com/340220820