Interview with Laiko Matsubayashi (nee Miyake)

Title
Interview with Laiko Matsubayashi (nee Miyake)
Accession number
2010.049
Interviewer
Lisa Uyeda
Videographer
Lisa Uyeda
Date of Interview
Language
English
Description

Laiko Matsubayashi (nee Miyake) was born in July 13, 1930. Laiko talks about her family including her grandmother, Sono Fukuzawa who owned S. Shibuya Store on Powell Street, and her upbringing in Vancouver, BC. Laiko talks about her father’s work and his consideration of moving to Toronto for employment. She talks about cases of racism and not understanding the concept of war as a child. During the war, Laiko and her family was interned in Slocan City. Laiko talks about her memories of living in Slocan City including housing, facilities, schooling, her first winter, and social activities. She also talks about hiding radios and photography equipment. Laiko talks about her family moving from Slocan City to Toronto due to her father’s skilled work where they faced discrimination and racism. She talks about her continuing education in Toronto. After that, Laiko talks about working in the fabric and interior design industry and her work as an interior designer. She recalls her going to social dances in Toronto. Then, she proceeds to talk about her marriage. She talks about the right to vote and talks about the Japanese Canadian Redress.

Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Conference: https://vimeo.com/338319023

Format
Videotape
Video File
Length of Interview
2 hr 27 min
Period
World War II
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
Event
Redress
World War II
Relocation
Internment
Location
Vancouver, BC
Slocan City, BC
Toronto, ON
USA
Japan
Hastings Park, Vancouver
Powell Street, Vancouver, BC
Topic
family
discrimination
living conditions
children
education
Japanese language school
dance
United Church
travel
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC)
bathhouse
nuns/sisters
sports
housing
photography
detention camps
agriculture
church
Buddhism
employment
career
social activity
education
discrimination
relocation centres
health
British Columbia Security Commission
Asahi Baseball Team
clothing
small business
Number of Physical Tapes
3
Permission
For uses other than research or private study, researchers must submit a Request for Permission to Publish, Exhibit or Broadcast form.
Citation
Laiko Matsubayashi, interview by Lisa Uyeda, August 20, 2010, 2010.049, Sedai: The Japanese Canadian Legacy Project Collection, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.