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Identifier
IwamotoDouglas_2010_CRP
Description
Mr. Douglas Iwamoto describes his life as a Japanese American growing up in Salinas, CA. Mr. Iwamoto’s father was a laborer and spent most of his life in the agricultural business, which Douglas continues as his own profession today. He begins by discussing where his parents and he were born. He mentions that the hospital he was born at is no longer in existence. He recalls stories about his parents including how they owned and operated a Tofu store which was located on the lower floor of his family home (on Lake Street). Mr. Iwamoto recalls stories that he has learned from his parents about the internment camps and also notes the discrimination they faced once they returned from the camps. He specifies that his father lost customers after the war due to discrimination. He also includes stories about his uncle who was a translator with the U.S. Army (after the internment). Mr. Iwamoto states that the importance of education was stressed throughout his family as well as within the Japanese community. He notes that following the war there was a push to immerse the Japanese community in American culture which resulted in a loss of language and traditional Japanese names for the younger generations. Mr. Iwamoto recalls spending time in Sunday school at the Buddhist temple and notes that the temple played a significant role in his social life as a young man. He states that this led to him later becoming the national president of the Buddhist temples of America for two years. He also mentions some of the various festivals that he witnessed as a child, such as the Obon Festival at the Buddhist temple and notes Chinese festivals and community carnivals as well. Mr. Iwamoto concludes by recalling memories from his youth as well as his parents’ stories about the internment camps and his views on the revitalization of Chinatown. He notes that his purpose for participating in this project is to reach younger generations. He would like them to remember that there was a large community in Chinatown and wants them to learn what discrimination did to the Japanese community.
Interview Date
10-17-2010
Interviewer
Jennifer Magos; Jason Berring
Geographic Coverage
Salinas (Calif.)
Subjects
Chinatown (Salinas, Calif.); Japanese American families; World War II--Incarceration camps; Race discrimination
Type
Moving Image
Genre
Oral histories
Digital Format
video/mp4
Language
eng
Digital Collection
Chinatown Renewal Project
Repository
Archives & Special Collections of California State University, Monterey Bay
Disclaimer
These oral histories express the personal views, memories, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy or views of California State University, Monterey Bay.
Recommended Citation
Iwamoto, Douglas and California State University, Monterey Bay, "Interview with Douglas Iwamoto" (2010). Chinatown Renewal Project. 42.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/ohcma_chinatown/42
Rights Statement
