Don Hiroshi Yamaoka
Don Hiroshi Yamaoka
February 19, 1921 - October 14, 2004
Don Hiroshi Yamaoka
February 19, 1921 - October 14, 2004
Don's father Jack Hirokichi Yamaoka was a foreman at a lumber camp in Enumclaw, Washington at the turn of the last century.
Don's father Jack Hirokichi Yamaoka was a foreman at a lumber camp in Enumclaw, Washington at the turn of the last century.
A Hiroshima-ken (prefecture) baishakunin go-between arranged a long-distance wedding for him. Young teenager Fukuyo became a shyashin yome-san, a picture bride where the wedding ceremony is performed with photographs. Fukuyo thought that anyone who is adventuresome enough to leave Japan to work in the US has to be brave and much more interesting than the men in her village of Yuki. Fukuyo walked to Yokohama to board a ship to ride steerage to the United States.
A Hiroshima-ken (prefecture) baishakunin go-between arranged a long-distance wedding for him. Young teenager Fukuyo became a shyashin yome-san, a picture bride where the wedding ceremony is performed with photographs. Fukuyo thought that anyone who is adventuresome enough to leave Japan to work in the US has to be brave and much more interesting than the men in her village of Yuki. Fukuyo walked to Yokohama to board a ship to ride steerage to the United States.
Despite social criticism, Fukuyo Yamaoka earned money as the cook for the camp, brewing osake rice wine, cleaning, and laundering while giving birth to three American-born children who survived: Hiroshi, Minoru, and Yuriko.
Despite social criticism, Fukuyo Yamaoka earned money as the cook for the camp, brewing osake rice wine, cleaning, and laundering while giving birth to three American-born children who survived: Hiroshi, Minoru, and Yuriko.
The work was difficult and the camp environment harsh, but they earned enough money to return to Hiroshima to purchase land to grow rice and build stores. Though financially well off, her work ethic epitomized the “work hard” motto. At 60, Grandma Fukuyo would still deliver her rice,
The work was difficult and the camp environment harsh, but they earned enough money to return to Hiroshima to purchase land to grow rice and build stores. Though financially well off, her work ethic epitomized the “work hard” motto. At 60, Grandma Fukuyo would still deliver her rice,
kindling, and dry goods to neighborhood customers with her hand push cart. If you've seen the Japanese samurai action movie Lone Wolf and Cub, you know exactly what this is.
kindling, and dry goods to neighborhood customers with her hand push cart. If you've seen the Japanese samurai action movie Lone Wolf and Cub, you know exactly what this is.
Fukuyo grew to become the neighborhood wise woman, and when Don's daughters Christina and Julia visited Japan, they witnessed young couples with marital problems and even a yakuza thug come to consult and ask advice from Grandma Fukuyo Obaachan.
Fukuyo grew to become the neighborhood wise woman, and when Don's daughters Christina and Julia visited Japan, they witnessed young couples with marital problems and even a yakuza thug come to consult and ask advice from Grandma Fukuyo Obaachan.
Hiroshi was a kibei (born in the US but educated in Japan), so he was fluent in Japanese. He was a popular public speaker and singer, delivering profound, moving messages at church and community social events.
Hiroshi was a kibei (born in the US but educated in Japan), so he was fluent in Japanese. He was a popular public speaker and singer, delivering profound, moving messages at church and community social events.
In 1941, just before the war, Hiroshi was 20 when he ventured back to the US and lived with his cousin, Mr. Sasaki and Bambi Nishimura Kudo in the Los Angeles area.
In 1941, just before the war, Hiroshi was 20 when he ventured back to the US and lived with his cousin, Mr. Sasaki and Bambi Nishimura Kudo in the Los Angeles area.
On February 19, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. More than two-thirds of these people were native-born American citizens. They were confined in inland internment camps operated by the military.
On February 19, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. More than two-thirds of these people were native-born American citizens. They were confined in inland internment camps operated by the military.
This brought Hiroshi and Takako Fujimori together in the Rohwer, Arkansas swampland internment camp. Takako admired Hiroshi's drive to teach and care for the children of the camp. Hiroshi made a good impression on Juichi and Hae Fujimori because he helped manage the kitchen that fed 8,500 people three times a day.
This brought Hiroshi and Takako Fujimori together in the Rohwer, Arkansas swampland internment camp. Takako admired Hiroshi's drive to teach and care for the children of the camp. Hiroshi made a good impression on Juichi and Hae Fujimori because he helped manage the kitchen that fed 8,500 people three times a day.
Juichi, Hae, and the American government allowed Hiroshi Yamaoka and Jean Takako Fujimori to marry. They were allowed to honeymoon out of internment camp to Chicago—where her cousins Asty and Sumi (Rosie's daughters) were going to school. The government prohibited any Japanese from returning to the West Coast.
Juichi, Hae, and the American government allowed Hiroshi Yamaoka and Jean Takako Fujimori to marry. They were allowed to honeymoon out of internment camp to Chicago—where her cousins Asty and Sumi (Rosie's daughters) were going to school. The government prohibited any Japanese from returning to the West Coast.
In 1945, Hiroshi and Jean returned to the internment camp to have Christina Kimiyo Yamaoka Kusaba — March 19, 1945.
In 1945, Hiroshi and Jean returned to the internment camp to have Christina Kimiyo Yamaoka Kusaba — March 19, 1945.
After the war, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Uncle Ken had purchased a huge two-story house for all the family and a grocery store.
After the war, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Uncle Ken had purchased a huge two-story house for all the family and a grocery store.
Julia Thorn posted this memory on Facebook, February 19, 2020. Today is Daddy's birthday in heaven. Mata atode, neh? Thank you, Chris Kusaba, for making Dad's photo collage.
Julia Thorn posted this memory on Facebook, February 19, 2020. Today is Daddy's birthday in heaven. Mata atode, neh? Thank you, Chris Kusaba, for making Dad's photo collage.
Christina Kusaba posted this: POP would have been 99 years old today. Born in a lumber camp in Washington, educated in Japan, ventured back to America – LA, sent to the Japanese-American internment camp in Arkansas, met and married mom Jean, honeymooned in Chicago, had a store in Stockton, was an active church leader and great speech maker. He was a loving father and a great campaign manager when I ran for student body secretary. I inherited his calm demeanor. Miss you, Pop, but I see these pictures every day to remind me of your sweet love. --Christina
Christina Kusaba posted this: POP would have been 99 years old today. Born in a lumber camp in Washington, educated in Japan, ventured back to America – LA, sent to the Japanese-American internment camp in Arkansas, met and married mom Jean, honeymooned in Chicago, had a store in Stockton, was an active church leader and great speech maker. He was a loving father and a great campaign manager when I ran for student body secretary. I inherited his calm demeanor. Miss you, Pop, but I see these pictures every day to remind me of your sweet love. --Christina
Chris Kusaba, my big sister, continues: After his stroke, in 1969, he was able to write independently in Japanese where he had to copy English. He would hand write Christmas letters to all of his friends—after learning to write again using his left hand! His determination was admirable.
Chris Kusaba, my big sister, continues: After his stroke, in 1969, he was able to write independently in Japanese where he had to copy English. He would hand write Christmas letters to all of his friends—after learning to write again using his left hand! His determination was admirable.
Chris again in FB: Handsome, social, great hair, great speech maker, wrote beautiful Japanese and sooooo loving!
Chris again in FB: Handsome, social, great hair, great speech maker, wrote beautiful Japanese and sooooo loving!
Don's Photo Gallery
Don's Photo Gallery
Chris Kusaba created this collage to honor the 99th anniversary of Don's birth.
Don's return to the USA on Asama Maru,
February 1940
Sketch by Kresley
Family, circa 1955
Memorial plaque,
Stockton Buddhist Church