Interview with Harold Takayesu

Title
Interview with Harold Takayesu
Accession number
2010.058
Interviewer
Lisa Uyeda
Videographer
Lisa Uyeda
Date of Interview
Language
English
Description

Harold Takayesu was born on February 28, 1925 in Vancouver, BC. His family lived outside of Japanese Community in Clark Drive area where he went to school as well. His parents emigrated from Okinawa so during the removal of Japanese Canadians from the coast of BC, Harold didn't believe he was going to be removed because he was Okinawan, not Japanese, but that distinction was not made. On the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, he was home in bed on a Sunday when he heard the radio. Harold talks about the discrimination that he faced. Harold talks about being interned kept them from knowing much about the war. His family was interned in Slocan City, BC where Harold continued his education. Harold talks about what life was like in the internment camp at Slocan. Harold was about to enlist when his father told him he could only join the army if Japanese landed on Canadian soil. Meanwhile, his brother enlisted as an interpreter in India. He talks about his family background. During WWII, his father was killed in an accident. After the war, they relocated to Hamilton, ON. Harold talks about organizations like YMCA that helped the newly arrived Japanese Canadian community in Hamilton. Harold talks about Redress meetings and what Japanese Canadians lost due to confiscation. Harold talks about his involvement in Redress and issues between NAJC vs. JCCA in Hamilton. 

Format
Videotape
Video File
Length of Interview
3 hr 9 min
Period
Pre War
Post War
World War II
1970s
1980s
Event
Redress
World War II
Relocation
Forced Removal
Attack on Pearl Harbour
Location
Vancouver, BC
Slocan City, BC
Hamilton, ON
Schreiber, ON
Bay Farm, BC
Topic
education
military
British Columbia Security Commission
internment camp
education
family
employment
National Association of Japanese Canadian (NAJC)
War Measures Act
Prisoner of War (POW)
road camps
issei
nisei
housing
discrimination
community
bathhouse
propaganda
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
Harold Takayesu, interview by Lisa Uyeda, August 31, 2010, 2010.058, Sedai: The Japanese Canadian Legacy Project Collection, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.