Title
Interview with Jean Nagata (nee Nobuko)
Accession number
2010.031
Interviewer
Lisa Uyeda
Videographer
Lisa Uyeda
Date of Interview
Language
English
Japanese
Description
In this video recording Jean Nagata reads her life story from birth in Vancouver in 1934 and her immigration to Japan a few years later and subsequent childhood in Japan. She details balancing her school life and assisting her Obasan in supporting herself and younger sister. Jean illustrates a deeply personal tale of life in Japan during World War II and explains in great detail the sacrifices and strength of her Obasan to keep her and her sister safe and happy. In 1948, at the age of 14, she travelled with her Obasan and sister back to Canada where her mother, father, and sister now lived in Toronto.
Short clip from this interview: https://vimeo.com/503546553
Format
Videotape
Video File
Length of Interview
39 mins
Transcript
Period
Pre War
Post War
World War II
1930s
1940s
1950s
Event
World War II
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vancouver, BC
Japan
Toronto, ON
Kitsilano, BC
Shaughnessy Heights, BC
Vancouver, BC
Topic
family
travel
education
church
food
gardening
agriculture
fishing
festivals
temple
living conditions
music
discrimination
bathhouse
Buddhism
family
immigration
Japan
living in Japan
propaganda
social life
travel
United Church
work
Number of Physical Tapes
1
Citation
Jean Nagata, interview by Lisa Uyeda, June 24, 2010, 2010.031, Sedai: The Japanese Canadian Legacy Project Collection, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.