Stepping Stones; Through the Past to the Present.
An Account of the Kanazawa Family (December 2005)
The self-published family memoir chronicles the history of the Kanazawa family, detailing their origins, experiences during WWII, and subsequent lives in America. To see the full text of Stepping Stones, click here.
Family Background in Japan
- The Kanazawa family originated as rice farmers in Nagasaki-ken, Japan.
- Elizaburo Kanazawa, the grandfather, passed away before his son Kinmatsu was born on October 22, 1889.
- The grandmother, Chiyoko Nishioka, was born on October 30, 1881, and was talented at sewing and flower arranging.
- Christianity influenced the family, with Grandpa Kanazawa converting early in life, which led to his estrangement from his Buddhist family.
Life in Seattle (1907-1942)
- Grandpa Kanazawa immigrated to Seattle in October 1907 to study fisheries, followed by Grandma Kanazawa in 1912.
- The family lived in a parsonage of the Japanese Methodist Church, where Mae was born in 1913.
- The Kanazawa family consisted of eight children, with Mae being the oldest in Seattle.
- Grandpa opened Jackson Fish Oyster Company in 1916, becoming a pioneer in the oyster industry in the Northwest.
Cultural Challenges
- The Kanazawa children faced a cultural conflict between Japanese traditions at home and American culture at school.
- They attended Japanese schools after public schools to learn the language and culture.
- Mae participated in music programs and church activities, bridging both cultures.
WWII and Internment
- Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Grandpa Kanazawa was arrested as a “suspicious alien.”
- The family was interned at the Puyallup Assembly Center and later at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho.
- Mae organized a choir and community activities to maintain morale during internment.
- The family faced significant challenges, including loss of property and cultural identity during this period.
Post-War Life
- After the war, the Kanazawa family relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, where they rebuilt their lives.
- Iwao Hara, Mae’s husband, established a successful accounting business while Mae continued her involvement in music and church activities.
Legacy and Family Reunion
- The Kanazawa family held their first reunion in July 1989, reconnecting with relatives across the United States.
- Mae donated historical materials related to their internment to a museum in Jerome, Idaho, preserving their legacy.
- The document concludes with updates on family members and their contributions to society, emphasizing resilience and community.