Interview with Tom Takashima

タイトル
Interview with Tom Takashima
Accession number
2010.011
Interviewer
Peter Wakayama
Videographer
Peter Wakayama
Date of Interview
Language
English
Description

Tom Takashima's interview was conducted on May 2, 2012, by Peter Wakayama. Tom was born on December 12, 1922 in Vancouver, BC. His father emigrated to Canada through the Yobiyose visa when he was a teen in 1908. His parents got married through a familial arrangement. Tom grew up with five siblings in the eastern part of Vancouver known as "Heaps" before moving to the Kitsilano neighbourhood when the family bought a home. Tom talks about his experience growing up there and going to school. In 1929, Tom's father lost his job during the Great Depression and the family experience hardship especially when one of Tom's younger siblings had health issues. During the war, Tom's family was separated. Tom worked in a mink farm and also road camp in Ontario during the war. After the war, Tom bought a home in Toronto and the family lived together. Tom would go on to own successful businesses before his retirement. His sister, Shinchan (Shizue Takashima) authored and illustrated the  book, "A Child in Prison Camp" that speaks to her experience during WWII. 

Format
Videotape
Video File
Length of Interview
1 hr 14 min
Period
Pre War
Post War
World War II
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
Event
World War II
Relocation
Forced Removal
Internment
Location
Vancouver, BC
Kitsilano, BC
Toronto, ON
Hamilton, ON
Ontario, Canada
Topic
nisei
marriage
career
small business
work
The Great Depression
Number of Physical Tapes
1
Permission
For uses other than research or private study, researchers must submit a Request for Permission to Publish, Exhibit or Broadcast form.
Citation
Tom Takashima, interview by Peter Wakayama, October 21, 2007, 2010.011, Sedai: The Japanese Canadian Legacy Project Collection, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.