TIME - HISTORIC POINTS
All families are as branches of a tree. We grow in different directions, but our roots remain the same.
All families are as branches of a tree. We grow in different directions, but our roots remain the same.
Medieval Era to 1800's
Medieval Era to 1800's
Miyamoto Musashi's Shrine- Itsukaichi is also where the Fujimori clan taught kendo as masters. Juichi continued to teach kendo in the USA
Miyamoto Musashi's Shrine- Itsukaichi is also where the Fujimori clan taught kendo as masters. Juichi continued to teach kendo in the USA
Grandpa George Juichi Fujimori
Grandpa George Juichi Fujimori
Born: Itsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan June 15, 1879
Born: Itsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan June 15, 1879
Ancestor: Priest Soshin– founder and Lord of Shi-Chi Castle
Ancestor: Priest Soshin– founder and Lord of Shi-Chi Castle
History: Family involved in North-South Civil War 1320 end of Kamakura Period (1191-1333) and beginning of Muromachi Period (1333-1573)
History: Family involved in North-South Civil War 1320 end of Kamakura Period (1191-1333) and beginning of Muromachi Period (1333-1573)
During 1324-1391 we find documents from the historical records in Eimyo, at the Temples of the Ahman clan and Shi-Chi clan in Awaji and the Arii Clan in Aki in Hiroshima
During 1324-1391 we find documents from the historical records in Eimyo, at the Temples of the Ahman clan and Shi-Chi clan in Awaji and the Arii Clan in Aki in Hiroshima
Arii built a castle on the summit of Ishi-Uchi Mura Mt. - Arii Castle - which was standing and used as a retreat/seminar for a teacher’s college. In Early 17th Century approximately 25,000 castles were governed by feudal lords
Arii built a castle on the summit of Ishi-Uchi Mura Mt. - Arii Castle - which was standing and used as a retreat/seminar for a teacher’s college. In Early 17th Century approximately 25,000 castles were governed by feudal lords
In 1603 the Shogun, Tokugawa centralized the government, destroyed castles and left only 170 by 1868 when the Mejii government united Japan.
In 1603 the Shogun, Tokugawa centralized the government, destroyed castles and left only 170 by 1868 when the Mejii government united Japan.
Shi-Chi Castle was located at Awaji. Its Daimyo Lord was No-Guichi, also called Fujimori.
Shi-Chi Castle was located at Awaji. Its Daimyo Lord was No-Guichi, also called Fujimori.
Priests: Many of our ancestors were priests who contributed to the Dai-Ban-Jyaku Scriptures as evidence of information appearing in the Kuni-Kurie. Juichi's father was a Buddhist Priest
Priests: Many of our ancestors were priests who contributed to the Dai-Ban-Jyaku Scriptures as evidence of information appearing in the Kuni-Kurie. Juichi's father was a Buddhist Priest
1898: 19 yrs old: Married Hae Tsuda Fujimori
1898: 19 yrs old: Married Hae Tsuda Fujimori
1899: 20 yrs old: 1st child was born - Shinko Rose Fujimori Iguchi b. 3-15-1899
1899: 20 yrs old: 1st child was born - Shinko Rose Fujimori Iguchi b. 3-15-1899
1900's
1900's
Grandpa Juichi Fujimori -
Grandpa Juichi Fujimori -
1900: 21 yrs old: 2nd child was born - Kiyome Bessie Fujimori Sakakura b. 10-22-1900
1900: 21 yrs old: 2nd child was born - Kiyome Bessie Fujimori Sakakura b. 10-22-1900
1901: 22 yrs old: Traveled to America and worked as a houseboy for a family in Linden, California until 1908 (learned English and USA ways)
1901: 22 yrs old: Traveled to America and worked as a houseboy for a family in Linden, California until 1908 (learned English and USA ways)
Looming War: Possible reason for leaving Japan
Looming War: Possible reason for leaving Japan
Sino-Japanese War - 1894-1905 and Russian-Japanese War – 1904-1905
Sino-Japanese War - 1894-1905 and Russian-Japanese War – 1904-1905
Developed asthma
Developed asthma
1908: 29 yrs old: Went to Mt. King, Mariposa County, California to work as a cook for a boarding house at a gold mining camp
1908: 29 yrs old: Went to Mt. King, Mariposa County, California to work as a cook for a boarding house at a gold mining camp
1911 32 yrs old: Returned to Japan to bring Hae and his two daughters to America
1911 32 yrs old: Returned to Japan to bring Hae and his two daughters to America
1914: 35 yrs old: 3rd child born - Masami Fujimori b. 1-28-1914 - d. 7-26-1922
1914: 35 yrs old: 3rd child born - Masami Fujimori b. 1-28-1914 - d. 7-26-1922
1915: 36 yrs old: 4th child born - John Katsumi Fujimori b. 9-19-1915
1915: 36 yrs old: 4th child born - John Katsumi Fujimori b. 9-19-1915
1917: 38 yrs old: Moved to Stockton, California and began to build businesses
1917: 38 yrs old: Moved to Stockton, California and began to build businesses
1917: 38 yrs old: 5th child born - Kenzo Fujimori b. 10-28-1917
1917: 38 yrs old: 5th child born - Kenzo Fujimori b. 10-28-1917
1919: 40 yrs old: 6th child born - Takako Jean Fujimori Yamaoka McLaughlin b. 11-24-1919
1919: 40 yrs old: 6th child born - Takako Jean Fujimori Yamaoka McLaughlin b. 11-24-1919
40 yrs old: Moved to Stockton, California to work as farmers on Bacon Island
40 yrs old: Moved to Stockton, California to work as farmers on Bacon Island
1920s 41 yrs old: Established a dry goods store and grocery store
1920s 41 yrs old: Established a dry goods store and grocery store
Helped daughter Rose and her family open Golden Castle Grocery Store across old Buddhist church on Washington and Madison Street
Helped daughter Rose and her family open Golden Castle Grocery Store across old Buddhist church on Washington and Madison Street
Helped son Kenzo open a gas station
Helped son Kenzo open a gas station
1940-41 62 yrs old essential member of Stockton Buddhist Church, Board Chairman
1940-41 62 yrs old essential member of Stockton Buddhist Church, Board Chairman
Click the image for YouTube.
Click the image for YouTube.
The Japanese-American family scenes give a haunting feeling of what the big community dinners may have been like in pre-war America.
The Japanese-American family scenes give a haunting feeling of what the big community dinners may have been like in pre-war America.
The type of lilting Nisei-accented English is exactly as I remember Mommy's manner of speaking. Even the Kibei accent is how I remember Daddy talking.
The type of lilting Nisei-accented English is exactly as I remember Mommy's manner of speaking. Even the Kibei accent is how I remember Daddy talking.
The scenes in the Relocation Camps give a sense of the torture our families went through in life where they were crowded into spaces designed for one-third of the population they were forced to accommodate.
The scenes in the Relocation Camps give a sense of the torture our families went through in life where they were crowded into spaces designed for one-third of the population they were forced to accommodate.
WWII
WWII
Yamaoka Obaachan Fukuyo: The constant song was Getsu, Getsu, Ka, Moku, Kin, Kin - to impel all to work everyday without rest for the Emperor's war effort against Amerika.
Yamaoka Obaachan Fukuyo: The constant song was Getsu, Getsu, Ka, Moku, Kin, Kin - to impel all to work everyday without rest for the Emperor's war effort against Amerika.
Grandpa Juichi Fujimori -
Grandpa Juichi Fujimori -
1942: 63 yrs old FBI took him to San Francisco for interrogation, then to Fort Lincoln, Bismarck, North Dakota
1942: 63 yrs old FBI took him to San Francisco for interrogation, then to Fort Lincoln, Bismarck, North Dakota
1942: 64 yrs old: Sent to Relocation Camp – Rohwer, Arkansas, June
1942: 64 yrs old: Sent to Relocation Camp – Rohwer, Arkansas, June
Amazing Fact: Juichi registered for the American draft in 1918 AND in 1942:
Amazing Fact: Juichi registered for the American draft in 1918 AND in 1942:
Dr. Don Nakayama composed this amazing presentation regarding medical treatment in the Japanese Internment camps. See all 102 pages!
Dr. Don Nakayama composed this amazing presentation regarding medical treatment in the Japanese Internment camps. See all 102 pages!
Post War
Post War
1945: 66 yrs old: Moved to Denver, Colorado.
1945: 66 yrs old: Moved to Denver, Colorado.
_____ : Returned to Stockton to re-establish home on Madison Street. Let son John live with him and Hae. Helped John set up medical offices next to the home. Helped daughter Jean and her husband Don obtain a liquor license for the Don's 99 Liquor Store on Highway 99.
_____ : Returned to Stockton to re-establish home on Madison Street. Let son John live with him and Hae. Helped John set up medical offices next to the home. Helped daughter Jean and her husband Don obtain a liquor license for the Don's 99 Liquor Store on Highway 99.
1957: 77 yrs old: Died at home in Stockton, California, February 17, 1957, surrounded by his family - Julia remembers climbing on the bed rails while everyone was circled around Jiichan as Uncle John, the oldest son who was a medical doctor, was holding an oxygen mask over Jiichan's face.
1957: 77 yrs old: Died at home in Stockton, California, February 17, 1957, surrounded by his family - Julia remembers climbing on the bed rails while everyone was circled around Jiichan as Uncle John, the oldest son who was a medical doctor, was holding an oxygen mask over Jiichan's face.
Historian: Cathy Fujimori
Historian: Cathy Fujimori
Click image for YouTube link. The portrayal of Post War America for Japanese Americans is haunting.
Click image for YouTube link. The portrayal of Post War America for Japanese Americans is haunting.