Field Study on Yamaguchi Prefecture and Japanese American Immigrants (2): A Case Study of Japanese Hawaiians in the Oahu Yamaguchi Kenjinkai

山口県と日系移民のフィールドスタディ（２） 〜 オアフ山口県人会の日系ハワイ人を事例として 〜

Field Study on Yamaguchi Prefecture and Japanese American Immigrants (2): A Case Study of Japanese Hawaiians in the Oahu Yamaguchi Kenjinkai

This paper presents a field study in which the author conducted interviews with Japanese Americans affiliated with the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjinkai in Hawaii about their families’ stories. The author participated in the 2021 Aloha Project, a collaboration between Suo-Oshima Town, Suo-Oshima High School, and Yamaguchi Prefectural University, to design a set of Aloha shirts. During the foundational research for this project, the author visited the Japanese Hawaiian Emigration Museum operated by Suo-Oshima Town, developing a strong interest in the relationship between Suo-Oshima and Hawaii, particularly the history and current state of emigration. After retiring and becoming a professor emeritus, the author began researching Japanese immigration in 2023.
The research began in September 2023 with a visit to Los Angeles, home to the Japanese American National Museum, to investigate Nikkei communities across the United States. Interviews were conducted with members of the Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai. In mid-June 2024, the author traveled to Honolulu to interview members of the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjinkai about their family stories. At the same time, research was conducted at the Hawaii Japanese Cultural Center to better understand previously documented historical events. With these insights, the author decided to describe the individual family narratives collected through interviews.
The study revealed the existence of historically significant Japanese immigrant communities in areas like Moiliili and McCully, which are comparable to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. These areas, being older, hold a key place in the history of Japanese immigration as centers of work, education, and daily life for Japanese Americans.
Through interviews about the lives of immigrants and their ancestors, the study provides opportunities to reconstruct the history of immigration, life in Hawaii, and changes in values over time. This has underscored the importance of continuing this research. Additionally, interviews were conducted with residents of Suo-Oshima who have relatives who emigrated. The author plans to further investigate how Suo-Oshima’s history of immigration has influenced the awareness and lifestyles of its residents.

Creators MIZUTANI Yumiko

[EISSN]2189-4825